Read on for ten handy ways to save money on your special day.
Here’s an indisputable fact: weddings are expensive. But for budget-conscious brides dreaming of the designer gown, fancy hotel ballroom, and four-course dinner, it is possible to have the wedding of your dreams without going into debt. Who says you can’t have your (wedding) cake and eat it too?
1. Rent your dress
You could spend a fortune on your dream designer dress – but you don’t have to. Consider renting instead of spending thousands on an off-the-rack wedding gown. Better yet: if you like the idea of ‘something old’ for your dress, hit the racks of vintage stores: you never know what timeless treasures you may uncover!
2. Trim the guest list
This one’s a no-brainer: Since a good part of wedding expenses typically goes towards seating and catering, cutting down the number of guests means plenty of pennies saved.
3. Stick to the basics
When it comes to save-the-date cards, menus, and other wedding stationery, stick to the basics: fancy finishes like coloured ink, foil, and laser-cutting can cost a pretty penny.
4. Have a daytime wedding
Saturday and Sunday nights are prime time slots for wedding venues – and typically cost 20% to 30% more than other days of the week. If your schedule allows it, opt to have your ceremony/reception on weekdays or in the daytime.
5. Master your own make-up
If you’re confident in your make-up abilities, consider forgoing a professional make-up artist. Hey, if Kate Middleton could do it, so can you! Our tip? Practise, practise, practise – that’s what YouTube tutorials are for.
6. Scale back on décor
It may be tempting to go overboard with fresh flowers and fancy table centrepieces but who says bigger is always better? Glam up your wedding space with pretty yet inexpensive decorative pieces such as mason jars, paper bunting, and candles.
7. Be floral-savvy
Drop-dead gorgeous flowers are de rigeur in any wedding but if you’re savvy enough, they don’t have to cost a bomb. Always opt for in-season blooms – and if you have your heart set on peonies, hydrangeas, and other pricey flowers, be open to cheaper alternatives such as garden roses and tulips.
8. Go faux with a multi-tiered cake
Fancy a towering four-tiered cake? One clever way to cut costs is to order a dummy cake with fake tiers. Better yet: Put a twist to the traditional wedding dessert with unconventional and inexpensive (but equally as delicious) sweet treats such as doughnuts and churros.
9. Skip the DJ
In this age of Spotify, who needs a DJ or a live band? Simply set up a killer sound system, press play on your wedding playlist, and let your guests hit the dance floor.
10. DIY photo booth
Want photographic memories that’ll last a lifetime? Set up your own photo booth with a simple DIY backdrop and borrowed props. Another nifty idea: Place a disposable camera on every table – your guests will have loads of fun playing photographer.