A key subject that pertains to dating or engaged couples is the wedding cost. If you are getting married, you likely want to save and not break your bank account. Given the importance of reducing the wedding cost, we have put together some ideas to help you control cost.
General Logistics
- Have an off peak wedding date. Most weddings occur on Saturdays. A wedding on a Sunday or a week day can reduce the cost. Also choose a date that’s outside the wedding season. Prime wedding months include April – September and December. Furthermore, avoid major event dates such as Easter.
- Find friends who can act as coordinators or help run around on the wedding day.
- Keep to time so you don’t incur additional venue or vendor fees.
- Keep a manageable guest list to reduce the number of invitation cards, amount of food, etc.
- Re-purpose where possible. For example, reusing decorative items and renting a wedding dress.
- Maintain a good number of service staff. Don’t go excessive on security staff, waiters/waitresses, etc. Determine a good ratio of service staff to guests.
Venue
- Avoid or better plan for popular venues. These venues tend to attract uninvited guests. Plan for security to curtail these guests and to check invitations.
- Consider venues with features and facilities. Find a venue that provides chairs, tables and other facilities so you don’t end up renting externally and dealing with the logistics.
- Consider a destination wedding. It can reduce the number of guests and consequently your cost.
- Consider an outdoor wedding. It is usually cheaper than an indoor wedding, however, you have to consider weather, cold and noise factors
- Have locations close to each other. With hotels, ceremony venue and reception venue close to each other, you can significantly reduce transportation and logistics costs.
Photography
- Use talented friends – Contact talented friends to help take pictures.
- Ask your network – Seek friends who are close to your potential vendors to help acquire their services.
- Hire an alternative photographer – If you love a great photographer, find and hire his/her associate.
- Start with a smaller package. You can later upgrade. Negotiate the upgrade so that the price difference is not much.
- Have only one photographer. You can save money with less shooters.
- Hire for multiple events – Find a photographer that can cover multiple events such as traditional wedding and main wedding. You can get great discounts and reduce cost by bundling.
Cake
- Create fake tiers or a large cake effect with decorated non-cake layers (e.g. Styrofoam).
- Use a simple design as it is easier to make and consequently cheaper.
- Have a small cake with a hidden cake sheet. The simple sheet cake can be in the kitchen and already cut to serve your guests.
- Consider a square cake. It is easier to cut and create more slices.
- Use a simple flavor such as vanilla and chocolate. Avoid flavors such as red-velvet and carrot.
- Negotiate and order early. Cake makers will charge you more when the wedding date is close. Generally prices increase over time.
- Consider getting cupcakes. You will be surprised how much you might save.
- Don’t plan to serve everyone cake. Not everyone eats cake so don’t plan to serve everyone cake. You can estimate 70 – 80% might eat the cake. Also when the cake is served, some guests may have left.
Catering
- Use external catering. Hotels usually don’t allow external catering. Try to convince them to allow external catering or use a non-hotel venue.
- Be inventive with food. Don’t be frugal as a result. One thing you don’t want is some guest not getting food or not being satisfied.
- Have family or friends cater some dishes and thereby lower the catering cost.
- Purchase drinks from wholesale channels.
- Have a cocktail hour with snacks or small chops which can help fill stomachs.
- Avoid leaving many bottles on tables. This can encourage guests to take these home or leave a lot of them unfinished.
- Negotiate to return unopened drinks with the wholesale drink store after the wedding.
- Avoid the champagne toast or limit it to just the couple so you don’t serve more wine.
Decoration
- Have less tables which means less table decorations including centerpieces.
- Have larger tables or more seats around tables to still handle your number of guests.
- Keep your decoration simple. Avoid confetti, fog, smoke, etc. which can significantly increase your cost.
Transportation
- Avoid renting cars or limos. They can be costly as you pay per hour/day. You also pay for idle time, like when the chauffeur is waiting.
- Ask friends to donate their luxury or exotic cars. Of course, you have to pay for the cost of fuel/gas.
- Reserve Early. If renting a car, start early to research, negotiate and then book.
Invitations and Stationery
- Use emails when possible particularly for save-the-dates.
- Give one invitation to couples or families.
- Make your own cards.There are many nice and free templates online.
- Reduce number of pages or printouts in an invitation and wedding program.
- Use simple invitations and wedding programs so it is cheaper to produce.
Flowers
- Keep the bouquet simple. Use 1 – 2 flower kinds which are easy to find. Rare flowers or out-of-season flowers are expensive.
- Find good-looking and cheap alternatives to costly flowers.
- Use more fillers & greenery and less flowers.
Music
- Limit the time for a DJ. Have the DJ play during the dance time.
- Use a nice and portable music player.
- Have friends perform during intermissions.
Beauty
- Make use of friends. Have a friend who’s really good at makeup help with your makeup.
- Use a multipurpose vendor. Find a vendor who can handle multiple roles (e.g. hair and makeup) or cover multiple events (i.e. traditional and main weddings). You can get great discounts as a result.
Attire
- Rent wedding gown. Wedding gowns are quite expensive especially as they are worn once, unless you plan to remarry. You can save by renting a wedding gown.
- Use local designers. You might be amazed to find local designers can create similar, if not better, designs to popular brands or designers.
- Collectively order attire. Order all bridesmaids’ dresses or groomsmen outfit together and save.
PHOTO CREDIT: 7th April Photography