How To Save Money on Your Wedding

General Cost Cutting Ideas

Choosing a Date

Time of Day

The Location

Note: If you are planning a rush wedding (less than two months to the date) there is a great opportunity to save and negotiate because they will be anxious to book the date.

Invitations

• Get small or regular sized invitations. They will cost less and may save money on postage.
• Choose thermographed rather than engraved. You will still get the style and look with out the additional cost. Thermographed can be as much as 50% less.
• Be sure that they can be returned if the printer makes any mistakes.
• Make your own on your computer, if you have a flair for design.

Rings

• Jewelry stores in the mall are probably not your best bet for saving money. Go to the diamond district in your city for the best prices.
• Use an heirloom ring, or reset an heirloom gem in a setting of your choice.
• Check out antique stores for good prices on more eclectic styles.
• Ask a jewelry design student or local artisan to design and craft your rings.
• For a really tight budget, choose something simple or go for silver instead of gold or platinum.
• Check on engraving and sizing policies before purchasing your rings. Some retailers will include it for free.

Flowers

This is one place where a bride really shouldn’t sacrifice style for price. You can create many beautiful looks with flowers that are in season to save money. Look through magazines to get ideas and try to decide what you want before you start shopping. Tell the floral designer what you are looking for and what your are willing to spend up front, so they know what you have to work with and can make suggestions on how to get the look you want for less.

• Look for a moderate level supplier. Don’t go to a fancy specialty bridal florist with elevated prices.
• If your family has a florist that you know is dependable, go to them.
• Comparison shop in different parts of town.
• Find a new-to-the business designer. They are usually lacking in experience, but not talent, and will give you their best effort and prices to get your business.
• Order flowers that are in season. Prices go up dramatically when blooms have to be shipped in for your event.
• Some inexpensive flowers that look great in any arrangement are Gerber daisies, tulips and bright colored zinnias.
• Consider ordering miniature versions of your favorite flowers, for a fraction of the cost.
• Corsages can be small. Most women (mother or the bride / groom) would prefer a smaller corsage that won’t overwhelm their carefully picked attire.
• Send someone from the wedding party to pick up the flowers, if possible, to save on the delivery charge.

Quick Tips for Saving on Transportation

• White limousines will cost you more than black.
• Consider just getting transportation for yourselves, not the entire wedding party and family.

• Choose a regular, not a stretch limousine for the two of you.
• Prices will vary widely, so be sure to comparison shop.
• Have your parents or someone from your wedding party drive you to and from the airport for the honeymoon instead of a car service.

The Photographer and Videographer

• Ask friends and family for referrals.
• Hire a photographer with experience and be sure to check their credentials and portfolio of wedding work.
• It will cost less to hire a photographer for the ceremony and start of the reception only. Many will be paid by the hour, so having them for the length of the reception may be costly. You can include disposable cameras at each table for guests to take pictures.
• Ask for your proofs to be delivered on disk, rather than printed. You will still be able to see them clearly, but you won’t have to spend extra on the full set of proof prints.
• Skip the photographer’s expensive editing fees.

• Comparison shop for the videographer and photographer, for quality, price and a package that you are happy with.
• You can save several hundred dollars by choosing not to have the raw footage video of your wedding edited.
• Skip the option of having multiple cameras placed throughout the event.