Smart Strategies to Plan a Beautiful, Low-Cost Wedding

The average cost of a wedding today is about $36,000 — a pretty astounding figure by just about anyone’s measure – but there are ways to cut costs so you can have more money left over to spend on the honeymoon.

Choosing the Venue

Consider banquet halls that are flexible. A flexible banquet hall is a venue that allows you to choose your own caterer and decorative elements. This cuts down on the cost of amenities offered by the facility.

Another way to cut down on price is to keep your wedding all in one place. There are many wedding locations that have an area for preparation, the ceremony, and the reception all in one. This will make it easier on your guests and will give you more control over the event.

Also consider the scheduling. Saturday is the top choice for wedding days, and usually the most expensive — why not walk down the aisle on Sunday instead? Summer is typically the most popular time for a wedding, while January through March tend to see fewer brides, giving you lower costs for venue rentals during that time.

Saving Throughout the Event

Consider wedding flower choices carefully. Flower arrangements for bouquets, centerpieces, and decorations can cost thousands of dollars. Gardenias, hydrangeas, lilies, and peonies are some of the most expensive flowers. You may want to shy away from these. Instead, consider cheap options like carnations, gerbera daisies, and stock roses.

Think about cutting down guest lists for low-cost weddings. Catering for events, venues, and decoration costs are all reduced by limiting invitations to your wedding. Choose simple favors or offer one favor for each couple. You can also save money by creating your own favors, but be sure you can devote the time to it; DIY favors often become frustrating endeavors, especially if you wait until the last minute.

If you truly want to save on your wedding, however, consider hiring a wedding planner. Though it may be counterintuitive, wedding planners help take care of the logistics and planning of a wedding. They can get you the flowers you want and the venue you need, at prices you can afford. The advantage of a wedding planner is their experience handling local weddings. They’ll know who to contact, where to get the lowest prices, and which businesses to avoid.

Getting married shouldn’t mean signing up for a mountain of debt: A little creativity and careful planning can help you get the most from your event without breaking the bank.