According to Reuters, the average wedding costs $27,021, which is equivalent to a new car!!! Depending on where you live, the average can be even more. The most expensive place to get married is New York, where the average cost is $65,825. When averaging the total amount, the venue, catering, florist, cake, videographer and photographer, band or DJ, invitations, rings, catering, and even the rehearsal dinner are included. With simple adjustments, you can still have the wedding of your dreams while staying within budget without sacrificing.
The Venue
One of the major expenses for a wedding is the venue. One easy way to save money is to have the ceremony and reception in one location. Additionally, have your wedding during off peak times. Saturdays in June will not only be booked way in advance, they also will cost you more. Instead of a Saturday, consider a Sunday or even a Friday evening. Additionally, think off peak season. Fall and spring can offer beautiful scenery at a less expensive price than the summer. Another way to save on a venue is to opt for a simple but inexpensive place. Some parks, churches or other religious institutions may cost less than a fancy hotel. If you are having a small wedding, consider having it in your backyard or that of a close friend or family member. Through thinking creatively, you can easily find a beautiful location that will not take your entire budget.
The Dress
For many brides, the dress is the most important part of the event. However, wedding dresses can be very expensive. Luckily, there are some options for a beautiful dress without the cost. Some budget stores, like Costco and Target, have a wedding range. Additionally, there are places like David’s Bridal that specializes in less expensive gowns, although they can still be expensive. If you do not mind a used dress, you can often find people selling their dress on eBay or other sites. Similarly, you can always rent a dress through services that offer high-end designer dresses you can rent for the day at a reasonable price. Although you want to look great on your wedding day, just remember you are only wearing the dress once.
The Food
Food and alcohol can be very expensive for a wedding. One easy way to limit the cost of food is to limit the amount of food you need. You can either cut the guest list, as the fewer people attending the wedding equals less cost. Additionally, some venues will offer good catering deals as part of an overall package. If you are having a small enough wedding, try to do it yourself. You donโt have to have a lot of food at the reception. Instead of a large meal, have just nibbles and the cake, which will save you money. Additionally, limiting the amount of alcohol you buy will save money. You can always look at having a cash bar instead, especially if the venue has one to offer.
What’s your best tip for how to save money on a wedding?
