Easy Ways to Cut Costs at Your Wedding
The average wedding in the United States today costs over $35,300. For the average American, $35,300 is an outrageous amount of money to be spending on event that lasts one day. So it is no surprise that most couples today do everything in their power to cut costs for their wedding. And I know how hard it can be to want to save as much money as possible but still have the wedding you've always dreamed about. Over the years, from being a wedding planner, I have discovered some great ways to save a few bucks here and there at your wedding. Below is a list of 5 easy ways to save a little cash at your wedding.
I am not just saying this because I happen to be a wedding planner. Hiring a wedding planner or coordinator can save you a lot of headache and money. A lot of people shy away from hiring a wedding planner or coordinator because they think they are too expensive and unnecessary. But I am here to tell you that simply isn't the case. Yes, hiring a wedding planner can be pricey. But it should be viewed more as an investment. A wedding planners job is to save you money and stress. They can find you the best vendors for the best price and sometimes even have special deals with vendors that they can pass along to you. They also tackle the hard parts of wedding planning and let you relax on your wedding day and even through the planning process.
If you're a bride who says, I want to plan my own wedding and I don't need the help of a wedding planner. That's where a wedding coordinator comes in to play! You get to plan everything and they execute it for you on the day of your wedding so you can focus on marring your best friend and celebrating with your friends and family. You can also pick their brain along the way and still save some money! Save money, avoid stress, and make a new best friend. Hire a wedding planner!
2. Hide Your Cake
If you're having cake for your wedding dessert the price can rise quickly as your guest count does. But there are a couple easy tricks to ensure you have enough cake for everyone without braking the bank. One of those tricks is to have a small gorgeous cutting cake and hide sheet cakes in the kitchen that are cut and brought out right after you cut your cake. Sheet cakes are easy for a baker to make and they don't need to be decorated, which cuts down on your costs. But if you're someone who has envisioned a large over the top wedding cake, you can apply this same trick to save money. Your baker can make some of the cake tiers Styrofoam. This makes your cake look real to your guests but saves you money. Then you can still have sheet cakes in the kitchen to actually feed your guests.
3. Go Green
Flowers can easily become one of the most expensive aspects of a wedding. But there are many ways to combat that. One new trend that I'm in love with is an all green bridal bouquet. You'd be surprised how cool they look without any blooms in them. It adds a bohemian feel to your wedding and saves you money.
Another way to cut floral costs is to use your bridesmaids bouquets as centerpieces after the ceremony! Just have a vase on the tables waiting for your bridesmaids to plop their bouquets in right before the reception starts! This eliminates having to pay for a floral arrangement for every table at your event.
4. Simplify Your Program
Instead of spending a couple hundred dollars printing out gorgeous programs for every guest at your ceremony, make one large one. Use an extra large Chalkboard or have one large sign made that can display all your information and be placed in a gorgeous display at the entrance of the ceremony.
5. Rethink Favors
Handing out favors to your guests has been a long wedding tradition. But in most cases, it is a big waste of money. People either don't like the favor or they forget it on their table and you're left with half of your favors that went to waste. If you're going to give out a favor, make it something with a double purpose. If your favor is something that adds to the decor of your event and is something your guests will actually want, then go right ahead and purchase those favors. Something like a small succulent on each place setting adds greenery to the table and is something people will want to take home that will last awhile. But skip the small bag of candy or cheap sunglasses with your name on them.
xoxo,
Isabelle Russell
Owner of Belle Garden Estate & Garden Rose Events & Design
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