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One of the biggest stress points for couples when it comes to their wedding… budget. Here are a few tips to help you cut costs and stick to your budget!
Technology is your friend
Use technology to your advantage! The internet is there to help, use it to do your research on any and everything for your big day. It can also help you cut costs by sending out electronic evites, save the dates, and more! Not to mention setting up a wedding website as a hub for all your guests and wedding party! You can even add a blog to keep everyone up to date on all the wedding happenings!
Check out bridal shows
Bridal shows offer couples hundreds of resources, tips, discounts and vendors all at their fingertips. For more info on how to get the most out of your bridal show visit click here.
DIY
One simple way to cut costs is to take care of things yourself. Gather your bridal party and discuss everything that you can handle yourselves. Whether that’s putting together the weddings favors, painting the signage or stemware little cost savers along the way can be a big help. There are other less common DIY angles that deserve some consideration… grow your own flowers, upcycle dresses for your bridesmaids, etc. It’s up to you to see what your wedding vision is and if there’s a hidden DIY element you can use to cut costs.
Look for discounts
It never hurts to double check for a discount. Many bridal salons, hair stylists, make up stylists and venues will have a wedding special. They want you to choose them to take part in your special day just as much as you are interested in hiring them, therefore many will offer discounted rates for weddings. Check the calendar also, research for sales going throughout the year to make sure you’re buying the necessities for your wedding at the most opportune moment. It would really be a downer to pay 50% more for your wedding linens or invitations just to find out a week later the company is having their annual sale.
Think Local & New
Local is always going to be a better option to stay within the budget than going with a national or international company. Think using local produce and catering companies for your reception and local bakeries for your wedding cake. Local venues will usually have a list of preferred vendors (usually local) that you know the venue has worked with before and will be seasoned professionals. Ask the venue for that list and see what you like! Another way to cut costs is hiring a student, who will typically take a job for a much lower price in the hopes of adding to their resume. There are plenty of young, up and coming makeup artists, hair stylists, photographers, videographers etc. that would love the opportunity to add to their portfolio and experience!
Plan, plan, plan
Spreadsheets are your best friends. Have a few documents set up to keep track of how much you can spend, want to spend and have spent. It also wouldn't hurt to have a few more to compare prices and vendors. With everything right there in front of you, it should be easier to make decisions and find the best combination of expenses to stay within your price range.
