5 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

Excited to say “I do” but looking to keep wedding costs more affordable? You’ve probably found out that is easier said than done. But, as many have learned while planning their weddings, there are tricks you can use to keep costs low without sacrificing your vision.

1. Be Flexible with Your Date, Time, and Location

One of the main factors that will determine how much your wedding costs is when and where it takes place. In general, it’s more expensive to have your wedding:

• In the city rather than in the country
• In the evening rather than in the morning or afternoon
• On a Saturday rather than on another day of the week
• In spring, summer, or fall rather than in winter

If a Saturday evening wedding filled with dinner and dancing is important to you, save money by choosing to get married in January or February at a venue a few miles outside of the city. That decision could save you thousands of dollars in overall costs and can offer more flexibility in location, since many venues are booked years in advance for spring, summer and fall dates.

2. Be Tough with Your Guest List

This is another major influence on your wedding costs because fewer guests mean fewer people to feed. But creating your guest list can get emotional, and it might involve input from your parents, especially if they’re helping to pay, which can require a lot of compromise. The size of your guest list is also dependent on how large your venue is and whether the venue or your caterer requires you to spend a certain amount of money.

Some couples choose to utilize an A and B guest list. This involves sending out invites to the people who are most important to you first from your A list. Then, if people from that list are unable to attend, you send out additional invites to your B list.

You can also save money by having an adults-only wedding and inviting no family members that are more distant than a first cousin. You might also make some difficult choices when it comes to your large group of friends and acquaintances. You may find it more equitable not to invite some of your social groups, like co-workers, rather than inviting a few and risk hurting others’ feelings. Finally, limiting your plus-one invitations to only people you know who are in committed relationships rather than to everyone can help limit the guest count.

Ultimately, the balance between saving money on headcount while ensuring that all of the people you love will be there to celebrate is one you have to decide for yourself.

3. Utilize Your Personal Network

Do you have a friend whose cakes are to die for, or a cousin who loves to DJ? You may be able to enlist some of your guests to help with wedding tasks that would otherwise come with big markups.

Depending on how skilled, and giving, your friends and family are, you may be able to get help with food, flower arrangements, decorations, invitations, officiating, tailoring, music, photography, and more. Their talent and thoughtfulness in providing services will not only save you money, but will also add a personal touch you won’t get with an external vendor. Just remember to be gracious and pay for all materials needed for those lending their time and talents. Thanking them with a personal note and small gift can also go a long way.

4. Don’t Drain the Bottle, or Your Wallet

Calculating the cost of celebratory drinks for 100+ can be a sobering experience. If you know your friends and families enjoy their fair share of alcohol, this expense will eat up a substantial amount of your budget. But, don’t pay any more than you need to.

Some venues allow you to provide alcohol yourself, which can save you a ton of money. Plus, it lets you choose some of your favorite and inexpensive drinks for your guests to enjoy. Other ways to save money on alcohol include forgoing the typical champagne toast, having a cash bar, or offering only beer and wine instead of liquor.

It’s also OK not to serve alcohol at all. A big part of planning a wedding is figuring out what’s important to you and what isn’t. So, if you’re not big on drinking, you don’t have to make it part of your big day.

5. Stop Comparing Yourself to Everyone Else

Reading about million-dollar weddings can be fun but do it too much and you’ll start to feel bad about how your own wedding plans stack up. Without realizing it, you could also find yourself attending your friends’ weddings and thinking about how much their flowers cost and whether you should also spring for uplighting instead of celebrating the happy couple.

There will always be someone else who can afford a fancier wedding than you can, but remember your wedding is not a competition. There’s no prize for throwing the best party. Your wedding will be wonderful, no matter how much or how little you spend on it.

Once you realize that, you can focus on planning the wedding you want instead of the one you think will impress other people. That realization will save you money and more importantly, it will give you peace of mind.

Financing the Big Day

Once you’ve nailed down how much money you think you’ll need to turn your wedding dreams into a reality, explore how a First Harvest personal loan could be the right financing solution for you! Our personal loans come with competitive rates and customized terms for flexibility on loans up to $20,000. Apply easily online and watch your vision to come to life!