7 Simple Ways to Save Money While Wedding Planning

Have you noticed whenever the word, “wedding” is put in front of something, it automatically gets more expensive? If you’re just starting with this whole wedding planning thing, here are a few simple ways to cut some corners and get back to focusing on what really matters - entering into this lifelong commitment and adventure of marriage.

Venue

This is definitely one of the biggest ticket items on your list; that also means you can save thousands of dollars in this area if you choose. When I was engaged, there were some gorgeous barn wedding venues charging several thousand dollars. They were marketed as wedding venues, yet not large enough for our extensive guest list. Then my Dad mentioned a place that had been hosting barn dances since when he was in college. Sure enough, it wasn’t marketed as a wedding venue, but the owner was definitely happy to rent it out for $1,300, and there we had my dream venue for a quarter of the cost. 

When it comes to the kind of venue you’d like, think out of the box to see if you can knock that price tag down a few notches. For example:

If you are a registered parishioner at some churches, that can make a big discount in price for having your wedding ceremony there. Even though I had since moved away from my childhood town, my parents still being parishioners was enough for me to receive the discounted price. 

Some churches might even rent out their gathering spaces for the reception. Obviously these areas vary widely in the size and aesthetics, but this is generally a very affordable option.

Outdoor reception: Do you know anyone who has a property they’d be willing to let you use or rent? I went to my cousin’s wedding in Georgia where their friends had a nice-sized yard. They rented tents, wooden chairs and tables, and very classy bathroom trailers (Think very nice public bathroom, not porta-potty). Obviously you’d want to do this with someone who’s very flexible and generous, and perhaps doesn’t mind a few dozen cars parked on their lawn.

Other places that aren’t primarily wedding venues but are sometimes available for this are restaurants - especially locally owned ones. If you have 500 guests this might not be a feasible option, but worth considering if you’re in the 50-200 ballpark. 

Timing

If you are willing to have your wedding on a different day of the week than Saturday, many places will be charging less for that space. Fridays in the summer are an especially nice option, since people are a little more likely to take vacation time and school isn’t an issue, either. 

November, January, February, and March are also less popular months for weddings, so you’ll likely find cheaper prices during these times (although if you’re Catholic it’s usually best to avoid Lent for weddings).

Food

Whenever you have the option to do a buffet rather than individual plates, it’s usually going to save some $. If a venue lets you hire your own caterer, you can have catering from your favorite restaurant, or maybe even a family friend. 

As far as dessert, wedding cakes are often $500+. Why not try donuts, ice cream, or have your aunts all make their best bars and cheesecakes? Perhaps you even have an aspiring cake decorator in the family. 

Décor

So many people buy decorations for weddings which they never use again. Take a look at Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Craigslist, or ask your married relatives and friends what they still have lying around. Among my sister-in-law’s wedding decorations, my excessive old book collection, and my parents’ woods, we got a majority of the decorating done for free. 

Dress

Now let me tell you, I am 100% on board with finding your dream dress, and trying some on in person; but you don’t have to buy your dress from a physical store. Once you narrow down what you like by trying them on in person, you can more often than not find that dream combination online for cheaper. ABSOLUTELY take a look at those off-the-rack deals, but don’t feel like that’s the only way to save on your dress. I personally bought my dream wedding dress online, after making the mistake of settling for an in-store one that was “close,” and that I hoped my seamstress could change. Believe me, I do all of my other clothes shopping in-person, but for this, there are alterations anyway. *Disclaimer* Make sure the dress has a good return policy, and message with the seller if possible before buying online.

Veil

You might think we’re getting down to some low-ticket items, but no! It’s pretty common to find a $300+ veil out there folks! Especially if you’re looking in-store. So feel once again to try those on in person, but once you’ve got your style figured out, go running to your married friends and relatives to borrow one, or head to Etsy, eBay, and Marketplace and save a couple hundred bucks. 

Photography/Videography

The reason this is at the bottom of the list is because it comes with a caveat: that is because most people I’ve talked to who went too cheap on photos have regretted it. If someone is charging under $2,000, they may not have the equipment, experience, or style to charge more. Of all the things you spend money on in a wedding, the photos are actually enjoyed for more than a day - they are a lifetime keepsake.

Now you can still go with the more affordable options on the list of photographers. There is a wide range here, so the main thing is to look at the individual photographer’s portfolio, and see if their style is appealing to you. You can select a shorter timeslot - if they are not there to close out the dance floor, that’s probably okay. 

Wedding videos are a very popular thing these days, and certainly are a precious memory. Some of my family members opted for them, and I have watched them over and over! However, this was an area my now husband and I agreed to cut corners. We asked a friend to take regular videos of our ceremony, speeches, and such. I would have liked one, but it really didn’t fit in the budget, so I have no huge regrets about it.

If a wedding video is very important to you, by all means make it happen! Again, photos and videos will be lifelong keepsakes, so the money you spend on this is for lifelong value. It’s often a great idea to bundle with the photography company for the best pricing.

Bottom Line

Planning a wedding is expensive, but it shouldn’t leave you penniless. With these money-saving tips, you can have the peace of mind that you are making prudent, creative choices to stay within that wedding budget.

You probably noticed a common theme - I’m all about tapping into those family and friend resources - you’d be surprised by how much people want to help you for your big day. You never know until you ask - just ask plenty in advance!