According to an article published on The Knot, the average cost of a wedding in 2023 was about $35,000. Planning a wedding can be fun but also very stressful and expensive. Oftentimes, brides forget small costs that add up in the end. With the rising cost of goods and services, it is important to find ways to save money. In this article I will describe what can be cut, what can be altered, and explain some commonly missed mistakes. My goal is to help you keep that final budget within reason. Making tough decisions can be difficult, but if we slow down and humble ourselves to God's guidance we can trust the outcome. Come along as we dive into the research.
Things you Can Cut
Although all wedding vendors can be important to some brides, finding certain vendors or categories that are not as important to you is key to trimming down the cost. One vendor that you could consider cutting is the professional make-up artist. Cutting the professional make up artist and opting for a family member or friend that can be trusted to do your makeup could still give you a beautiful look while also saving money.
It is hard to consider not having everyone that you want on the guest list of your wedding, but cutting the list is also a big money saver. Consider cutting down your guest list to only close family and friends. This will save on things like the final caterer cost, the size of the venue, the size of the cake. You are probably asking yourself how you will make this hard decision. Couples usually cut estranged family members, neighbors, or coworkers. You can also cut down on how many people get plus ones. Another suggestion is deciding on a max number, like 100 people, and allowing your finance to compile a max list of 50 people, while you do the same. This will require both of you to make hard cuts while also ensuring there is a happy mix of family members.
This next suggestion can be a bit controversial, but cutting the videographer could be another big money saver. Having both a photographer and videographer can get pricey. A videographer can easily run you almost $2300. In today's times, people often record snippings of important parts on their phones. You can always ask for a collection of videos and photos taken from guests to be uploaded on common websites or apps like Weduploader. This will ensure that the important details of the day are captured from many different points of view.
A smaller cutback to save money is the guest favors. Guest favors add a nice beautiful touch to any wedding but can quickly add up depending on the guest count. I would suggest either opting for a more simple guest favor or cutting the idea all together.
Things you Can Alter
Our next topic are things that can be altered to help with cost. The average couple spends about $85 per person on the caterer. Finding more creative ways to feed your guest can be a real money saver. One suggestion that is really big right now are charcuterie boards, which creates a snacking atmosphere rather than a full meal. You can also consider opting for a buffet style dinner to cut on the cost of servers or multiple staff. Another suggestion is finding a trusted close family member or friend to make main courses so you can focus on hiring a company to take on the dinner sides only.
Wedding Planners can get a bit pricey, but considering their knowledge and connection it could actually save you money. People often look at wedding planners as a cost that is not needed but a planner's specialty is focusing on keeping your wedding within budget or giving you heads up on certain vendors that will put you over. Wedding Planners also have connections for giving you the biggest bang for your buck. The average cost of a wedding planner should be about $2100.
In the wedding industry there are months we consider peak months and times of year that are considered off season. Planning your wedding for a day in the off-season months of December and March can save you money on things like the venue, photographer, or band. You could also consider having your wedding on a weekday to cut down on the venue cost. Lastly, I would suggest opting for a longer planning period would give you time needed to slowly pay on the balance with certain vendors. This also ensures you get the vendors you really want, before they are booked.
Lastly, switching your save-the-dates and wedding invitations to wedding websites or apps like Joy will save on paper and postage cost.
Commonly Missed.
The final topic explains things that are commonly missed during the planning process. We often think that finding the cheapest venue is the best way to save money but the cost of certain rentals can drive a budget up quickly. Finding a more inclusive venue at a reasonable price is the best way to save in the long run. Let's consider if Venue A only cost you $5000 to rent an empty space for the day. You then find Venue B that costs $6000 for the day but it comes with chairs, tables, and linens. You are really getting a better deal with choosing Venue B as the average cost for rentals is $2000.
An expense that is often missed are service charges. Couples often forget the service charges and after booking 7-10 vendors, this can quickly add up. Always check with the vendor before hiring or closely review your contract for any added cost.
A good florist would also suggest that you reuse some of your floral pieces from the ceremony, and add them to the reception. For example, the wedding ceremony arch can be moved to the back of the sweetheart table creating a beautiful display. You can also use the bouquets as centerpieces because after the 40-50 minute ceremony, they are beautiful arrangements that are no longer needed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding things you can cut, alter, and knowing the commonly missed items can really help you save on the final cost of your wedding. Think about the vendors that are most important to you and try to put more of your budget towards those categories. Then you can cut back a little on the ones that are not as important to you. Remember, no two weddings are the same. Find a way to really make yours unique while also staying on budget. Opting for things like smaller guest lists, buffet style caterers, or booking a reasonably priced wedding planner can really help you keep that final cost within your budget.
Remember, making tough decisions can be difficult, but if we slow down and humble ourselves to God's guidance we can trust the outcome.
Comments