Everyone knows that weddings are expensive - but that hits harder to home for so many people during these times as the economy struggles. No one wants to skimp on the day they finally get to celebrate their love with the people closest to them, but there are ways to do this that can help cut costs yet still receive the elegance you deserve. Here are 10 things to consider when trying to cut costs.
1. The Wedding Cake
A wedding cake for 100 people can cost anywhere from $400 if you're keeping it super simple with no unique flavors or designs to over $1,000. Instead, buy a small decorated cake for you and your partner to cut for the photographer and have a Costco sheet cake in the back ready to be cut for your guests. A 100-person sheet cake from Costco is only $50!
2. Shorten Your Reception After shooting over 200 weddings I can tell you that it's RARE that most of the guests stay until the Reception is over... I've only seen a couple of weddings (ones packed with more young friends with a party-mindset than age-mixed family members). It makes me sad when a couple pays for extra time at the venue, a sparkler send off, and that extra time with a photographer & videographer when there are only 25 people left to send them off.
3. Decorate With Sellable and Simple Items Centerpieces with elaborate arrangements can easily cost up to $300 per table. If you buy new or used decor, you can resell them after your big day and get that money back. AND your bridal bouquets can be put into the centerpieces after you walk down the aisle and before the Reception starts. Here are some items I've seen used beautifully:
Lanterns, books, mirrors, antique bottles & jars, wood slices, glass vases, geometric terrariums, pictures of you and your love in small frames. Wooden flowers are another option - though not cheap to buy, they can be sold afterwards to a couple with a similar color theme. Other affordable options that aren't quite resellable are tealights floating in water-filled glass jars, certain fruits along the table can be STUNNING (pomegranates for example).
This image looks classy AF but is simply a gold-flecked runner, eucalyptus leaves, a few roses, small votives with battery-operated candles, and tall vases with floating candles.
4. Cash Bar
A fully open bar costs between $15-$50 per person. A limited open bar which offers specific beer, wine and limited spirits ranges between $10-25 per person. Obviously, a cash bar is free for the marrying couple. Do the math, it's a big savings! This is a good option for people hoping their guests don't get too sloshed.
5. Limit your Guest List Either by removing the option of a +1 or by simply selecting only those closest to you, you can save a load of money. The cost per plate can cost anywhere from $50-$300... for 50 people that's between $2,500-$15,000 depending on the vendor.
6. Any Day but Saturday
Saturday rates at venues are the most expensive, but since weekdays are less requested they are offered at a significantly discounted price. For example, during Peak Season (which, in Phoenix, is Mar, Apr, Oct and Nov) Stonebridge Manor with Wedgewood weddings charges $8,000 for a Saturday Wedding in their Garden Pavillion, $5,800 for a Friday or Sunday, and just $3,300 for a Monday-Thursday Wedding.
7. Off Season Wedding Going for the lesser popular times can save you a good chunk of money too. For a Saturday wedding during peak season (Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov), you're looking at a base price of $7,000, during Jan, Feb, May, Sep and Dec you'll save $2,500 with a base price of $4,500. And from Jun-Aug it's only $2,000... a $5,000 savings! Now I'll mention that it's significantly discounted Jun-Aug because it's hotter than the devils armpit in Phoenix at that time - but if you do a quick ceremony with lots of available water & fans, and pass out sunbrellas and head inside immediately after, your guests won't have much to complain about. Especially if you're putting some of that money you saved into an unforgettable Reception.
8. Digital Invitations
Depending on how fancy you were planning to go on invitations, you could have spent between $1-$50 per invitation plus the $0.49 stamp for each one. Let's pretend you went with a mid-range invitation for $8 for 100 guests... that's $849.
9. Buffet vs. Plated Meals A plated meal can cost between $50-$300 while buffet style meals average $20-$75 per person. The cost goes up with the complexity of the food and number of staff required to run it. For 100 people a $150 meal would cost you $15,000 while a $35 meal is only $3,500. That's a HUGE savings. 10. Buy a Pre-Owned Dress
I know every bride wants a new gown on her wedding day, but for a dress you only wear once at a cost of $2,000-$10,000+ I feel this is one of the places a bride can reasonably save a lot of money. A pre-owned gown is generally 50-75% discounted from it's original price. Add on the cost of alterations and you're already saving a TON.
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