1. Have your bridesmaids carry a single flower instead of a whole bouquet. Simple, romantic, costs lots less
2. Send an e-card instead of a big save the date card. There's lots of free options, and some great cheap ones
3. Skip the inner envelope with your invites, or better yet, make them yourself with a small square of paper or doily.
4. Have your florist use more filler in your arrangements, centerpieces, and attendant bouquets.
5. Cut back your guest list. Your dad's college roomie he hasn't seen in 25 years doesn't need to come.
6. Provide free drinks for the first hour, then switch to cash bar.
7. Get married on a day other than Friday and Saturday. You'll save so much on venue costs, and some vendors even offer off-day discounts!
8. Hit up the local music school for musicians, local bar school for bartenders, beauty school for hair and make-up, fashion school for bridesmaids gowns (not bridal gown). Get my drift?
9. Hold both ceremony and reception at the same venue. Save on additional site fees, transportation fees, and it's so much easier on your guests.
10. Instead of a gourmet rehearsal dinner, get your favorite take-out! It's fun, it's laid back, and new family can bond easily over the shared love of pad thai.
11. Skip the tiered cake. Other options? Try a sheet cake, or the popular cupcake route. The best part about cupcakes? No cake cutting fee from the caterer.
12. If you've got lots of friends you want to share your big day with, throw a low-key party a day or two after the wedding (or after the honeymoon) for your friends. Make the invitation BYOB and just order some pizza to cover the food. As a friend to host at their home. You've spent $50 and your friends feel like they've been part of the celebration.
13. Take up one of those great free trip packages, you know, the kind where you have to listen to a 4-hour lecture on buying a time-share? The trip is still free, and you get an additional 3 lecture-free days.
14. Enter those free-stuff competitions. Most bridal shows give away gowns, photography, cake, even a great planner's services. It's worth entering, you may win some great stuff.
15. Use family heirlooms. If your fiance has a beautiful ring from his great grandmother, it's an incredible wedding ring for you. Antique cake toppers are incredibly popular right now - does someone have one to gift you? Sit down with your families and ask them what they have that would make your day even more special.
To get your thoughts going, here's some beautiful centerpiece ideas that are surprisingly inexpensive:
On Friday, I'll tell you what not to scrimp on.
Happy planning,
Rebekah Ross
Weddings & Events
