If my grandma taught me anything, it was the art of getting a good deal. I hate to pay full price for something that will go on sale a week later and a wedding is no exception! After the initial excitement of getting engaged, my next thought went to wedding planning. And then the minor terror and panic of how we’re going to pay for a wedding began to set in. Do you know the average cost for a wedding in Chicago? Do yourself a favor and don’t look it up. It’s too painful.
Shopping around for venues was our first step in the wedding plan and we quickly realized the budget we had in our minds for the wedding needed to increase… by a lot. We wanted to have a wedding in the city and keep it relatively intimate. Well, for two people with large families and friends, the wedding guest count continued to increase and we would need to find the space for everyone, including our dog Tchaikovsky as the ring bearer.
We’re still in the midst of planning, but from one bride to another, here are eight ways to save money on your wedding!
Celebrate in the Off-Season
Book your wedding outside of traditional timing and you can save thousands of dollars right off the bat! Many venues and vendors will be willing to charge less for the space or their services because there is less demand during that time. Look for wedding dates within November through April for the best deals. Fall, Winter and early Spring weddings are all the rage! I’ve been trying to describe my bridal bouquet and the word “moody” is what keeps coming out. But it’s technically a Winter wedding and I’m so excited for the deep jewel tones!
Use Vendors You Know
Chances are a few friends of yours have already gotten married. Ask around for any of their vendor recommendations and look for someone you can trust. You might be able to get a referral discount!
Look for BYOB
One of the first wedding decisions we made was to offer an open bar. It’s not that our families are big drinkers, but it’s a party for them as much as it is for us. We wanted to make sure no one had to worry about bringing cash for tips or purchasing a glass of beer or wine. We also wanted the flexibility in choosing signature cocktails and not driving up the cost per person.
Did you know that some venues offer BYOB and open catering? You can save thousands by purchasing the alcohol yourself from Costco or Binnys and they allow delivery AND returns when you don’t end up needing those 30 bottles of white wine after. Open catering also means that you’re not tied down to traditional bridal catering. Have some fun with your menu and feature foods you both love!
Send Online Invitations
Stationary, stamps and printing are another major cost in the wedding budget. And does anyone REALLY save them? I keep asking myself that question and am using Paperless Post to save money on bachelorette party invites and using an online wedding portal for RSVPs. Technology makes everything easier and when someone can click “reply” in an email, I won’t have to hunt them down a week before the wedding to find out what they wanted to eat.
Order Flowers in Bulk
This is a tip I got from another bride! So many grocery stores (including Whole Foods, Costco, Sam’s Club and Jewel) all offer bridal bouquet packages or flowers in bulk. My mom is an interior decorator and arranged the centerpieces for my sister’s wedding. Not only did it save money, but it was a special thing for her to do as a surprise for my sister. It means the world to have that kind of help and arrangements can be a fun way to express your style!
Pick a Well Designed Venue
The minimalist wedding trend is in and I couldn’t be more excited! Not only do I love the look of raw wood, brick and candlelight, but it means you don’t have to spend a ton on decor! The venue we picked has raw wooden beams, beautiful draperies, exposed brick and farm tables. Throw in a little greenery and a candle treatment and you have everything you need for a jaw-dropping space!
Utilize Greenery
You know what’s cheaper than flowers and more durable? Greenery! You can also find greenery on Etsy and in bulk through stores like Costco and Sam’s club. There are a million tutorials online showing you how to make your own altar backdrops and hanging fixtures. If I can make my own Christmas wreaths, I think I can figure out some table runners!
The Dress
The wedding dress is one area where you don’t want to skimp on, but there are ways to find a great deal! I had originally set a budget of $500 (I didn’t end up keeping that) but I couldn’t believe the beautiful options I had within that budget! There are a lot of online shops that offer non-traditional bridal experiences like BHLDN and websites like Lulus even have some great options!
I ended up finding my dress at BHLDN and I loved that it wasn’t overpriced and it shipped within a few days! I did not have the same experience at other bridal boutiques and I didn’t have to worry about stalking down a sample sale or paying for a ton for alterations by buying a boutique dress.
Are there any tips I’m missing? Help a bride out and comment below!
