In a time where the US average spend on weddings is almost $30,000, learning ways to save money for your big day is not only financially responsible, but possibly crucial for your own engaged sanity. Let these 13 clever approaches be a few of your saving graces as a bride to be, and create more space to enjoy your engagement with the love of your life!
1. Be open to a variety of venue options that give the vibe you want in different and unique ways, and don’t assume anything!
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| Views of the NYC skyline from the Hudson River |
When my husband and I got married, we knew we wanted our wedding on a yacht, cruising along the Hudson River with breathtaking views of the NYC Skyline. Once we were engaged and started pursuing this type of party, we were pleasantly surprised how affordable a private yacht venue was compared to the average “on land” venue in the same area. Money saved, but dream still realized.
2. Make a sacrifice/can’t sacrifice list before you start planning
A little give and take will give your mind, wallet, and mental attitude some sparkle. It’s that feeling of being financially responsible that will easily make you feel like you have your *ish* together. But seriously, be truthful here, what can you actually surrender that won’t ruin your day and prevent you from having the best wedding ever? Here are a few pointers to get you started:
- What is your minimum spend on your wedding dress? Now make that your maximum budget.
- If you want to upgrade your food selection, decide to either upgrade your cocktail hour or upgrade your dinner options, not both.
- Do you need a charter bus for hotel transportation, or can you provide a smaller mini bus that can make as many rounds as needed at no extra cost?
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| DIY Centerpieces |
If you’re willing to give the time and effort, you can save hundreds by taking on that DIY Bride mentality, even if it’s just for one wedding project. Pinterest can spark the creativity to no end. Minor tasks like handwriting the guest addresses can save around $100. For return address labels, if you’re not particular and just want to get the job done, you can order 220 address labels from Staples for $9.99!
4. Don’t wait until the last minute for Bridesmaid and Groomsmen gifts
By planning ahead, you can hit the holiday sales. And with plenty of payments due the month and up to the day of the wedding, having to buy nice gifts for your besties on top of that will just put unnecessary stress on your beautiful bride to be heart.
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| Ship wheel name plates & favors all-in-1 |
For example, favors, name plates, and seat numbers can be combined into one item. A wedding on one of our yachts in Hoboken had guest names and table numbers written on a wooden ship wheel that had a tied loop at the top to make an ornament and serve as the favor as well. This also saved time setting up and made for one less item to load into the car.
6. Look at 2nd hand wedding sites for used wedding
dresses, veils, decor, and more
6. Look at 2nd hand wedding sites for used wedding
dresses, veils, decor, and more
Most likely these items will only have been used once, and something like a wedding dress could be up to 50% off the original price! This could make an even bigger financial impact for the DIY brides, as they’ll still need to buy plenty of supplies to complete their projects. Weddingreycycle.com and Wedding Garage Sale on Facebook are a few to check out.
7. Find a friend to be an officiant
If you’re not getting married in a church, having a friend officiate your wedding will not only save you a few hundred dollars, but it makes for a much more personal experience for such a personal and emotional time! Planning the ceremony vows and script are even more enjoyable when it’s with a close friend or relative.
8. Choose a BYOB for your Dress Rehearsal Dinner
9. Plan your dress rehearsal dinner dress in advance
10. Alternative bridesmaid bouquets8. Choose a BYOB for your Dress Rehearsal Dinner
If you can find a place that holds your entire dinner party, then you’ll save hundreds and hundreds on booze, have the flexibility to choose your own alcohol selection, and maybe offer your own home brew or home made wine ready for guests to enjoy the whole night.
Another way to save for your rehearsal dinner is to send invites electronically through programs such as E-vite.com. The people who are invited to the dress rehearsal are almost a guaranteed RSVP “yes” anyway, so sending invites electronically for the dinner will save on printed invitations and stamps!
9. Plan your dress rehearsal dinner dress in advance
By planning what you’ll be wearing in advance, you have more chances of taking advantage of sales, you’ll be able to brainstorm the outfit so you’re not impulsing, and have the time to search different stores for the best prices.
And consider shopping at places like Poshmark. They not only supply second hand clothing where you have the ability to negotiate pricing, but there are boutiques that sell on this site as well.
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| Silk flower bridesmaid bouquets |
11. Email address to RSVP as opposed to the traditional mail-in card
I must warn you, since this is a little “new age”, you’ll probably have to track more people down by the end of your RSVP timeline than you would if you sent a traditional mail in RSVP. You might also get less wedding cards in the mail because people will think that their RSVP email can take place of a sentimental wedding card (eye roll). But you’re guaranteed to save a few hundred dollars here since you aren’t paying for stamps, envelopes, or RSVP cards. This is serves as an environmentally friendly way to get your final guest count. Again, even if you believe your guests all have access to email, expect to potentially spend more time asking for individual responses. If the idea of doing that completely disgusts you, the money savings aren’t worth it!
12. Use free workout videos on Youtube rather than going to the gym or hiring a personal trainer for that wedding body
12. Use free workout videos on Youtube rather than going to the gym or hiring a personal trainer for that wedding body
Youtube has so many subscriptions for yoga, pilates, HIIT workouts, you name it. I understand some stay motivated by having to go to a gym, they’d rather use weight machines, or they like the social aspect of a workout class, and that is completely OK! But for those of you who don’t mind exercising at home, this allows you to suspend or cancel that gym membership for the time being, avoid having to pay hundreds for a personal trainer, and ease up on the stress of having to get to a scheduled class on time when you have a gazillion other wedding tasks to do that particular day.
13. Rethink those designer bridal wedding shoes
Trust me, I’m a huge fan of designer fashion and view it as artwork rather than just a piece of clothing or accessory. But if your wedding gown is long enough that you and your guests will never see your shoes, you might want to reconsider spending that kind of money, especially if these shoes are so obviously bridal that you’d never be able to wear them again. If you must have the designer heels, try going for a shoe with a design that can be worn again and again after your wedding.
This is a period of your life where for months and months you’ll just spend and spend. Any way you can get creative when it comes to cutting costs is always a great thing! Hopefully these 13 suggestions will make your planning process more enjoyable than it already is! #popfizzclink
Gabrielle Goldklank is the Co-founder of Golden Knot Yacht Services, a private yacht event planner for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions in NYC, NJ, Philadelphia, and DC. Golden Knot Yacht Services also offers luxury boat excursions at the Jersey Shore during the summer season. Don’t just float through life, catch some waves.
www.goldenknotys.com
@goldenknotyacht
@goldenknotyachtwww.goldenknotys.com
@goldenknotyacht
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