8 Ways You Can You Save Money on Your Wedding and Not Look or Feel Cheap?

We all have budgets, whether it is for a wedding or monthly living expenses. Planning a big event like a wedding really does require planning and budgeting. All of us wedding professionals understand that every couple is working within a budget and we want to help you stay within the budget you have.

Are there ways you can have the wedding of your dreams while being on a budget? As long as your dream is realistic, the answer is YES!

Some areas where you can save money in your planning:

1 First, sometimes spending money will be the smartest savings you can do. So, find a way to hire a planner. A planner can help you know what is realistic for your budget. A planner knows all the venues in the area, including the newest ones you may not be aware of. This can often save you a lot of money in just your venue rental. They can also help you match your venue to your number of guests. They can direct you to just the right vendor for you while being aware of the budgetaryconstraints you are under. A good planner will know all the professionals in your area and can direct you to the one who can give you the service you want at the best possible price. They can save you their fee in so many ways while at the same time allowing you and your mother to be guests on your wedding day.

2 Set your guest list early on. The first place to control the money spent is by limiting the number of people you are providing food and beverages to. The latest figures from the wedding industry is that in the Triad area of North Carolina a couple can expect to spend about $125 per guest without alcohol. If they serve alcohol the cost goes to $160 per guest. As you can see, if you set your guest list at 100 people you can expect to spend about $12,500 without any alcohol. But reducing your list to 75 people you can save over $3,000. Do you really need to invite your next door neighbor from when you were 10, or your father’s secretary? If you have not had dinner or social outing with them in the past year and they are not close family, chances are you can take them off your guest list and not damage a relationship.

3 The next big savings can be in your decision to have alcohol or not. As you can see from point #2 alcohol is expensive! When you serve alcohol you must provide a bartender (legal protections)

as well as the alcohol and glasses and mixers. If you want to have some alcohol, you can reduce the cost by having only limited beer and wine.

4 Another savings can be in your favors. It is surprising how many weddings we leave and see most of the shot glasses, can cozies and jars of honey still on the tables! If you really want to do something extra for your guests, keep it simple and something they can eat like a small bag of candy with a thank you note from you attached to it. Or make a donation in honor of your guest to a charity or cause you know is meaningful to most of them.

5 Utilize the venue’s architecture as your decorations. Beautiful outdoor settings don’t require additional flowers or arches. Many venues are stunning without any additional décor added, don’t pass that up.

6 Use your bouquets as center pieces on the tables for the reception. This allows the flowers to serve double purposes and reduces the number of center pieces you must purchase. Simple is

better. You don’t have to have massive displays on each table. Five to seven candles with some flowers in the center of the table can be stunning. Look at family heirlooms that can be incorporated into your overall theme and use them.

7 Do you really need to mail 100 save the dates? You can save postage and printing by emailing everyone and dropping a short personal note to those who are not electronically connected. Invitations should always go out in the mail!

8 Are welcome bags necessary for your guests staying at area hotels? If you want to provide your guests with welcome bags, you can often get area businesses to donate samples of locally made items, the visitors center can provide guides to area attraction. When you add a bottle of water, a small snack and perhaps sun screen/chap stick/or something you think they might need on your wedding day you can reduce the cost of the bags.

Be sure to check with us for other ways you can save money and still have the ceremony of your dreams. We work with couples in all budgets and make sure their ceremony is exactly right for them. Call us at 336-259-7236 or send us an email at info@triadweddingofficiant.c