10 Unexpected Ways to Save Money When Planning a Wedding

A certified financial planner explains how people can save some serious money when wedding planning.

July 07, 2023

By: Brittany Loggins

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Options, Options, Options

One of the main stressors behind wedding planning is money. And whether you’ve just started planning a wedding or you’re coming from a place of experience, you know that things can get pricey super quickly. That said, there are plenty of ways to cut corners that won’t cost you anything in terms of aesthetics or ambiance at the event itself. Kendall Clayborne, a certified financial planner at SoFi, shared 10 tips with us that she learned after planning her own wedding.

Say Yes to Saving on the Dress

While the luxe boutique may seem tempting, you may want to skip out on actually purchasing it there. Clayborne suggests waiting for a sample sale at that same boutique, or looking for another boutique that carries the same dress. She managed to score her $2,000 dress for $400.

Consider a Day Other Than Saturday

Of course Saturday nights are most popular, but you can save lots of money if you opt for a Sunday instead. Even better? Choose a holiday weekend. This will allow your out-of-town guests to travel without having to take days off of work, and it could save you on fees from both the venue and the vendors. "But look out for extra charges if you choose a more popular holiday," warns Clayborne. "Lesson learned: It’s worth asking the venue before assuming there may be a premium on the price."

Think Twice About All Paper Products

By paper products, Clayborne is referring to save the dates and invites. If you don’t want to opt for e-vites or if there are things that you absolutely need to print like programs and menus for the actual day of the wedding, consider printing out your invitations at places like Costco in lieu of those trendy websites.

Who Doesn’t Love a Buffet?

Paying for the catering staff to serve a sit down meal can get pricey quickly. Instead, opt for a buffet-style meal and make the different stations special with decor. You could also nix appetizers, but Clayborne says that stations are fully acceptable here too.

Shop Around for Alterations

The price tag for the dress doesn’t end when you pick up the garment itself. You still have alterations to consider. Depending on what you need fixed, they can be just as expensive as the dress itself. Clayborne says that for her wedding she shopped around before joining a Facebook wedding group where she got recommendations for cost-efficient options.

Consider Deals for Your Honeymoon

The costs behind honeymoon trips can add up quickly, so make sure you’re shopping around for the best deals. Clayborne recommends using Costco Travel to book your accommodations. In addition to getting better deals on things like flights and hotels, going through this outlet can help you rack up some fun freebies like chilled champagne and meals.

Consider Flower-Alternative Decorations

The costs associated with flowers can be downright shocking to someone with no experience in this industry. Opting for flower-alternatives for centerpieces (think lanterns or candles) can be a great way to great ambiance with way less expense. If you don’t want to forgo flowers all together, you could alternate tables with flowers and complementing decor pieces so that it all goes together seamlessly.

Forget the Favors

The term "forget" is important here, because many wedding favors are forgotten by guests anyway. Clayborne chose to forgo wedding favors and said that most of her guests said they didn’t even notice.

Consider Local or Start-Up Bakeries

The truth of the matter is that cake is always good — so shop around to find a new baker who’s hoping to establish their business. They may be willing to match some grocery store prices, which you can research and bring in for reference.

Help Friends and Family Save!

Especially if many of your guests will be traveling, make sure you research a few different options for their accommodations. If they are happy staying together as a group, search for pretty homes that are Airbnbs or Vrbos to put on the list. This can help save even more than booking a traditional hotel block.

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