According to The Knot, the average price of a wedding in 2019 was $33,900– a shocking price tag to those not in the midst of wedding planning. This is an astronomically high number that many couldn’t imagine dropping on a single day, but here’s the thing: you don’t have to. Here are some ways you can save money on your special day without missing out.
Skip expensive wedding attire
Some people believe they need a wedding dress for the ceremony, a separate dress for dancing at the reception, and potentially two pairs of shoes to match the different dresses. This is by no means right for all brides. The best thing to do is pick one dress you love that is comfortable to move in.
As a side note, there is no reason to spend thousands of dollars on a dress if you don’t want to. You can easily find beautiful dresses for a few hundred dollars.
Skip the fancy cake
You can find a great looking– and more importantly, great tasting– cake without spending a fortune. Many local grocery stories are home to an in-house bakery, allowing you to get a lovely cake for a low price. Many local, small bakeries offer cake for a lower price as well. Remember that there is no reason to go all out on a massive cake. More likely than not, most of a large cake will go to waste anyway.
Skip the busy season
For many venues, late spring and summer are the busiest times for wedding. This results in them jacking up the prices during this time period. If you are able, consider getting married during your ideal venue’s off season, as it could potentially save you thousands. If you must get married in the busiest season, try to avoid Saturday ceremonies.
Skip professionally done hair, nails, and make up
While it is totally valid to rely on a professional for a perfectly polished look, these services add up quickly. Even if you are not a beauty guru, you can figure out how to nail your wedding look on your own. There are plenty of in-depth tutorials for hair, nails, and makeup alike that you can practice in the months leading up to your big event– all of which are free.
Skip menu cards and ceremony programs
Save yourself and maybe your parents, this is another expense that goes in the trash the moment the wedding is over. Don’t waste your limited funds on either of these– guests will know what is happening from your invites or from cues provided by others.
Skip wedding favors
Most people forget to bring their wedding favors home, and many others toss it out after a few months. No one will miss a wedding favor. Consider sending your guests a thank you note after the fact. If you feel you must provide your guests some sort of favor, keep it cheap.