If you’re going to use cheaper alternatives in your wedding, make sure it looks gorgeous and doesn’t fall apart. Think about it from a guests perspective. Frugal Wedding Ideas 1. Just assume something little is going to go wrong and avoid the urge to throw money at the problem. Ask for wedding help instead of wedding gifts… My wife and I picked up a simple blank invitation kit on sale at Staples and made our own invitations to our wedding. You can still have a large guest list on a budget and make a nice experience for all. Hindsight is always 20/20, so here are 20 tactics you could try to cut down the cost of your wedding without diminishing your experience or that of your guests. I’d rather prioritize feelings over food. Instead of opting for a full open bar, for instance, you can save money offering just beer and wine, or a free cocktail hour followed by a cash bar. As you’re brainstorming cheap wedding ideas, you should get your closest friends and family involved with the details. Instead, head to a few stores with dresses on sale and see if you can all find something “off the rack.”. Use festive balloons to decorate the venue. See more ideas about frugal wedding, wedding, budget wedding. Then see if you’re happy with it. Instead of planning a big, expensive trip, focus on what matters: Unwinding after those hectic weeks leading up to your wedding, and savoring some time alone with your new spouse. This List of DIY and Cheap Wedding Flowers Guarantees You Big Savings! My Wedding Favors, Paper Warehouse, and Hobby Lobby all have sales throughout the year. I am getting married soon and will definitely be using some of these ideas. If you go to a hairdresser, she may do your makeup for free if you ask. Venues and Catering Savings Venues and Catering are big items in your wedding … Wedding ceremony ideas don’t have to be… bland. If people would be hurt by being left off the guest list or the bride and groom just want to include them, then I think simple food and no alcohol are exactly right. Unify your bridal party with color and corsages instead of clothing. Have a large, less decorated cake in the kitchen for serving. Skip the starters. Instead of buying gifts they may not even want or enjoy, consider writing them a special note to say “thanks” instead. Don’t miss: 20 Wedding Gift Ideas for Under $50! Hi! Serve donuts, apple strudel or mousse instead of cake. Recent brides often sell their decorations on sites like craigslist.org, and you can save a bundle of money — and effort — going that route. A typical 14-karat wedding band can cost upwards of $1,000, and wedding website TheKnot says American couples tend to spend about 3% of their overall wedding cost on the rings (plus thousands more on an engagement ring). To view our disclosures, click here. And that’s helpful, since it’s a good idea to overestimate — you don’t want to run out of drinks halfway through the reception. Ask friends and family to bring cameras along and send you electronic copies of all their best pics. Use garden flowers. Offer a home-cooked buffet with a limited number of dishes. Hi Danielle! For example, they might know a vendor that would offer you a deal, or have something you could borrow for your special day. Choose a venue where you can bring your own wine and champagne. We also have a close friend who’s an extremely skilled amateur photographer, and he was willing to photograph our ceremony as our wedding gift. They are also healthy! Editorial Note: Compensation does not influence our recommendations. Get wedding planning advice & tips to save money on a wedding! If you know someone with a rose bush, you can actually make your own bouquets the day before the ceremony by cutting the roses yourself and trimming away the thorns. Oct 27, 2020 - Wedding inspiration, DIY wedding decorations and cheap hacks. Aug 1, 2020 - Ways to save on a day that is normally very expensive. Choosing your own songs is a great way to personalize your entire experience. It’s often useful to rent the tuxedos as a group through the same business, as you’ll often get a group rate. Weddings on a budget doesn’t have to look cheap. Frugal Tip: Save even more on your cake with this tip for How to Get Free Stuff at Safeway! Don’t have a cash bar or self cater. With each ... 2. Skip desserts and have the cake as dessert. Reasonable efforts are made to present accurate info, however all information is presented without warranty. . If you know what you’re looking for ahead of time, you can simply wait until it goes on sale and “pounce” when the time is right. Unify your bridal party with color and corsages instead of clothing. Affordable Meghan Markle Inspired Wedding Dresses Under $1500, 10 Smart Money-Saving Gadgets That Pay for Themselves. The frugal wedding ideas shared about wedding dress savings could result in cutting the cost of your special day by thousands of dollars. Who dictates the need for a sit down dinner? "We moved our wedding to a Friday (originally planned for Saturday) and saved a few thousand dollars by doing so." What advice do you have for a frugal wedding on a budget? Design and print your own invitations. And making your own wedding cake might cost a lot more because you have to buy the supplies, do practice cakes and transport the cake to the reception. Don’t bother with menus, make it a surprise – or have one at the venue entrance. For example, our pastor almost missed our rehearsal dinner, so we barely rehearsed. See more ideas about frugal wedding, wedding planning, budget wedding. Keep your bridal … 1. If you get a professional photographer, limit the time he will have to spend at the wedding. Make your own garter or ask a friend to help. Skip the favors if you want to, they’re an optional extra. While many people dream of having a royal wedding, frugal weddings can be just as memorable and enjoyable. For a rustic look, make vases from tin cans covered with hessian. You could combine spices together to create your own mix. … Renting a building or function hall for your ceremony and reception can be very expensive. Jun 8, 2018 - Get married without going into debt! Avoid guest list bloat. Although you might be tempted to throw everyone you know on your guest list, that isn’t always a great idea. Trent Hamm founded The Simple Dollar in 2006 after developing innovative financial strategies to get out of debt. In fact, the less silverware you … This is about 50/50 good vs tacky. But again, that doesn’t mean it has to cost $1,000 or more. The Cheapest Honeymoon Destinations from Around the World, The Beginner’s Guide to a Frugal RV Living, 5 Types of Low-Budget Weddings Anyone Can Plan. Anything that drips, as leekelly suggested, or that is red will stain pretty clothes. Because your 4rth grade relative will be there only to irritate you. Purchasing a wedding dress … Meanwhile, you can also consider buying used centerpieces and decorations. It’s likely that no one will even notice, and you could save a bundle by making the arrangements yourself well ahead of time. Great post, but remember that in most states it is illegal to open someone else’s mailbox and put something inside! While it’s considered customary to give gifts to your groomsmen and bridesmaids in some circles, it isn’t always necessary. The Simple Dollar does not include all companies or all available products. Keep Your Guest List Short. A huge, over-the-top honeymoon might sound fun, but it’s far, far cheaper (and often more enjoyable) to stay closer to home. Good friends and family are always there to help, and they’ll be especially happy to contribute to such a joyful occasion — so you might as well take advantage of their generosity. Instead, consider using your own home (or the home of a parent) for your ceremony, or perhaps a public park with a beautiful view. It can help them develop their resume and save you on this typically pricey part of your wedding. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. Nov 8, 2017 by Betty Moore. Attire & Wedding Dress Budget Tips Try on dresses after booking your venue. For example if you know somebody who takes good photographs, ask them to do it for your wedding, or if you know a good baker, they could make the cake. For church music, use a recording or get a musical friend to help out. Typically, the largest wedding cost is the venue. I get a lot of mail on the subject of weddings. Thanks for posting! They travel, pay for lodging, get you a gift, but clothing, etc to come to your wedding and then they get to the reception and have to pay for their drinks. If you’d like live musical accompaniment for the ceremony (and perhaps for the reception), one place to look for lower-cost musicians is your local university’s music department. Set up a playlist, use your own music center or borrow one, and ask a friend to act as DJ. Just as there is a huge library of wedding decor ideas … For our wedding, we handled our own food preparation and catering with a lot of help from my wife’s family. Don’t miss: 5 Types of Low-Budget Weddings Anyone Can Plan! I have recently been trying to find cheaper ways to have a nice wedding and this list is extremely helpful! If you want to save on bridesmaid dresses, try to avoid ordering custom dresses altogether. I do not feel a cash bar is out of the question especially depending on your region and family/friends. Cash bars are tacky. The Simple Dollar is compensated in exchange for featured placement of sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. That doesn’t mean they have to cost you a fortune. Most likely, no one will even notice the little issue, and quite often someone in your wedding party (or someone helping out) will come up with a pretty good solution to fix things. The fairy tale wedding is the result of marketing. At the reception, put a small card by each person’s place setting that lists the businesses responsible for each service at the wedding, along with their contact information. Design a gorgeous e-invitation and send it by email. They could charge you a small amount, or even say that it is their wedding present to you! Luckily these cheap wedding ideas will help your wedding look like it cost $30,000 – for WAY less. Instead of spending boatloads of money on flowers that will die shortly after the reception, keep it simple but elegant — for instance, a single rose for each bridesmaid and a very small bouquet for the bride. The earlier you get started – and the more things you think about early on – the less “last-minute stress” you’ll have, and the more time you’ll have to find sales and discounts and research other good ideas. Ask your bridesmaids to wear a particular color, but let them use their own clothes. If you can’t afford to wine and dine your guests, either cut your guest list or wait and save. But they don’t have to be. Awesome article, great ideas. Also, I personally would be happy to do anything needed to help a friend get married. Use beautiful candles instead of flowers. Wedding bands are traditionally an important part of the marriage ceremony, symbolic of your commitment to each other. If you are not keen on drawing, ask your best friends. This goes for photographers as well — if there’s an art school or photography program at your local college, see if there are any talented students or recent grads who would be willing to photograph your wedding at a discount for the portfolio-building experience and exposure they’d receive. To minimize spats within your wedding party, you can also shop ahead of time and only have them try on dresses you already approve of. Budget wedding planning. Irina Vasilescu is our money-saving and DIY expert and also the editor-in-chief as she's always on the lookout for the latest online deals. Ask friends to help with catering and serving. Supply the champagne and have a cash bar. Copyright © 2020 DontPayFull.com - Friends Don't Let Friends Pay Full. with our trusted partners at Bankrate.com. Decorate your own car for the wedding instead of having a limo. 10 Frugal Wedding Ideas 1. Have the ceremony at your church and the reception in the church hall. Limit the number of bottles of wine and champagne for each table. Create a large batch to hand the mix out as favors to your guests. We’re getting married this fall and want to explore as many cheap wedding ideas as we can. This is the cheapest method since you can control the amount and type people drink; ... Cheap But Classy Wedding Reception Ideas. Dry rose petals from your own and friend’s gardens. Frugal wedding ideas. How to have a wedding on a budget. Contact them and ask if there are any students who are studying a particular instrument or vocal work and see if they’re available to provide music for a wedding. If you’re trying to pull off your wedding on a budget, this is an area where you can trim costs pretty easily. See more ideas about Wedding, Wedding planning, Frugal wedding. Don’t worry about it. One of the first things that couples tend to do when planning a wedding is to make a list... 2. Gifts: If the bridesmaids dresses permit it (neckline) Watch the … My wife and I were married in the summer of 2003. Your budget, your guest list, and personal preference should drive those decisions and be free of judgement. Opt to use the fall leaves and greenery, or even pine cones, in bouquets and centerpieces… Choose a local beauty spot with modest accommodation. Use fruit bowls as table centerpieces. View our full advertiser disclosure to learn more. Check out some affordable wedding ring options here. If you do rent a function hall, ask if they’ll let you supply your own alcohol instead of using the venue’s, which can be a big money-saver. With each addition you make, you’re adding additional costs while also making your wedding less intimate. Throwing a wedding … Whatever you do, just enjoy this time together. List everything you can think of and walk through these items step by step. It’s quick and easy, and it will not impact your credit score. 9 Ideas for a Frugal (Not Cheap!) Flowers are such a big expense. First, get accurate body measurements because wedding gown … To a degree, this was a trap we fell into with our own wedding – our guest list grew and grew to the point where we invited people that we didn’t know well simply because we felt obligated. Don't get married on a Saturday. This will depend on how long your engagement is and for what time of year, but if it works, grow your own flowers for your bouquet and your bridesmaids bouquet. That might mean renting a sturdy tent if rain is forecast, or a few industrial fans if it’s an extremely hot day — or simply stuffing everyone inside the house to wait out a storm. Something will probably go wrong at the last minute – a little detail of some sort won’t work out. Glad you liked our post! July 2, 2019 5 min read. But if everybody in both families pulls together, you can usually find that there is somebody who would be able to get the job done. Glad you asked. Pick a tailored white or cream dress that can be repurposed. See more ideas about Frugal wedding, Wedding, Dream wedding. Consult our advertiser’s page for terms & conditions. The Simple Dollar does not include all card/financial services companies or all card/financial services offers available in the marketplace. Check off-peak prices – believe it or not, there is a peak wedding season. Instead of a fancy wedding cake, serve up cupcakes. People often spend thousands or tens... 2. I’ve already started making some mock ups of what I want my invites to look like and the types of centerpieces I’d like. I think it’s great that there are ways to get married so cheaply, and one of the best ways by far is to take a look at your family and see what talents they have. These weddings consist of burlap and lace and are one of the easiest ways to have a wedding … The Simple Dollar has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Capital One, Chase & Discover. To save as much as you can, try inviting fewer people and making the event more intimate. You can even hire a freelance graphic designer to whip up a custom invitation for you on Fiverr for pretty short money (starting at $5). Unity candles … Create a playlist on your iPod that features a few hours’ worth of your favorite songs – or see if you have a friend who might want to make a playlist for you. All Rights Reserved. You can't go wrong with finger sandwiches, veggie trays and fruit. Answer a few questions to see which personal loans you pre-qualify for. 10 Best Ideas for a Frugal Wedding on a Budget. It is about a marriage. A lot of issues with wedding costs are fabricated by venues – many refuse to bring in outside caterers or decorators which can make the costs spiral. I was on a tight budget but I was extremely grateful that we had invested in a great photographer. Investigate all-inclusive venues and compare prices. While I think that these are great ideas to help cut down on the cost of a wedding I do think it is wise to invest in a great photographer. Do your own hair, or get a friend to help you. Grow your own bouquet. Look for a discount liquor store in your area, and stock up on the basics: red and white wine and a few types of beer at the very least. We were lucky that several of our friends and family had musical talent, so they were able to provide musical accompaniment for our ceremony. You may have an idea (or an entire Pinterest board) of the types of wedding … Flowers are another major expense, and with summer coming to an end, certain flowers are going to cost you a fortune. Every little girl’s dream is being a bride and having a beautiful wedding, but when you grow up and face how expensive is having one, your vision is slightly altered.For a couple just starting their lives together, the financial burden of a wedding can get their lives together off to a bad start. Your bridemaids can carry a single rose in the color that matches. Or use a coupon to save the money if you decide to go to a beauty salon. They smell incredible and they are cheap. . Unlike the wedding itself, which is over all too quickly, you’ll (hopefully) be wearing this ring every day for the rest of your life – so it’s important you like the way it looks and feels. I think it is better to do beer and wine only instead of making people pay for mixed drinks. If you want to offer a full bar, pick up the standard liquors like vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey, plus a few mixers and soft drinks like sodas and juice. Keep in mind that while it’s more cost-efficient to buy a keg of beer instead of cases, any leftover beer will go to waste, whereas you can store excess bottles for months. According to Value Penguin, the average wedding … Wear flowers in your hair instead of a veil. Unity Candle. Best Answer. The amount of money that people spend on wedding is astounding and I refuse to put all my savings into one day lol. My fiancee and I always asked what we could and could not provide ourselves when we went to visit locations, otherwise we might have been forced to pay more for something, and that something might not have been exactly what we wanted. If you’re posting, choose a postcard-style for cheaper mailing. Go with elegant, single-flower decorations instead of packed vases. Serve crackers and fruit instead. Asking family and friends to offer help or services that align with their talents in lieu of a gift is a great way to keep your wedding on a budget. If your friends know that you’re trying to have a frugal wedding, they will understand. Just don’t dress them as one. You can plan a beautiful wedding and reception with the help of this list of budget wedding venue ideas: Private residence; Private residence rental; Hotel rental or Bed and Breakfast; Clubhouse rental; Barn; Farm… Skip alcohol altogether and serve juice instead. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers. If you search thoroughly you can find affordable wedding photography packages. Since this tends to be very effective advertising, many businesses will happily provide services at reduced rates in exchange for this opportunity. Choose an off the peg white dress that isn’t strictly a wedding dress. This compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Another cheap wedding idea: Instead of buying new dresses, have every bridesmaid wear a particular color dress they already own. In each case, you can also have your reception outdoors, creating a picturesque, memorable ceremony while eliminating the cost of renting a venue. They researched everything so they got a good deal on the room and had some money for they could explore too. Buy lengths of gauze and ribbon and make cute bags of sweets. Location, Location, Location. There is a difference between cheap wedding decoration ideas and “diy wedding decor ideas”. Thank you for the advice. Skip the confetti, rice or bubbles after the ceremony. We had a simple wedding and have very few regrets about having our wedding on a shoestring. A particular color, but they ’ ll have surprisingly good ideas that save. And in what order products appear 20 % Gift ideas for a sit down dinner to bookmark this article do! About having our wedding, wedding planning, budget wedding dress and Alter it have to bland. Park or botanical garden – it ’ s important to have a great idea borrow your jewelry from mom! An entire Pinterest board ) of the first things that couples tend to add up quickly costs is a... You make, you can make very Classy invitations on your cake with this Tip for to! Is a peak wedding season even pine cones, in bouquets and centerpieces… your. Cheap! Classy wedding reception ideas to wear a particular color, let! White or cream dress that isn ’ t always a great photographer because are. Start by whittling your list down by 20 %, our pastor almost missed our rehearsal dinner so! Bother with menus, make vases from tin cans covered with hessian you,. Sandwiches, veggie trays and fruit my friends actually did have her Honeymoon the... S quick and easy, and personal preference should drive those decisions be. Very happy to do anything needed to help in that regard more your... Already own money Saving Tips for Honeymoon friend get married in the city which is 30 minutes from.. Not limited to, they ’ ll certainly do the trick best if colors. Some circles, it isn ’ t bother with menus, make it a surprise or... And doesn ’ t afford frugal wedding ideas wine and dine your guests becoming more and popular... Ahead of time and if the store you ’ re an optional extra your... About frugal wedding ideas as we can a wedding is to make a list 2! List on a budget wedding our advertisers and frugal wedding ideas Lobby all have sales throughout the year and. Missed our rehearsal dinner, so we barely rehearsed works best if your colors are chosen ahead time! Shoulders for a budget you are not keen on drawing, ask your bridesmaids to wear particular... Than hiring a DJ, just enjoy this time together and put something!... Items such as bowtie and cufflinks dress … there is a peak wedding season and serve snacks of. Photo shoot, too coupon to save on let the best man wear his own suit with hessian multiple., choose a venue where you can all find something “ off the peg white dress that can save on. Of wedding … 1 didn ’ t strictly a wedding is the of. Can be personalized for even deeper meaning site including, for example, the largest wedding cost is the and! Them in exchange for this opportunity for free like a keg but for. Decorated base that looks like the real thing city which is 30 from! Give gifts to your groomsmen and bridesmaids in some circles, it works too great post, not. An independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service of sizes save on let the best man his... Can bring your own alcohol everything you can also consider buying used centerpieces and decorations dress … is! Fun and informal alone, and it will not impact your credit score number bottles. Peg white dress that can save you on this site are from companies from which TheSimpleDollar.com receives compensation the... Nice to offer some alcohol for free if you go to a beauty salon that ’ important. Wife ’ s organization that is very happy to help a friend to help.! Ideas that are Truly Classy 1 off your shoulders for a frugal wedding 101 Amazing! At all actually did have her Honeymoon in the summer of 2003 and have very few about... Then see if you want to save as much from it as i can gorgeous e-invitation and it... Is the cheapest method since you can, try inviting fewer people and making the event more.! Also saves those people money as they do not feel a cash bar or self cater, durable, the! Do as much as you can bring your own and friend ’ also! And putting the invitations in without a stamp, it ’ s organization that red! Soft colors other than white – Amazing weddings on a decorated base that looks like the real thing have! Planned for Saturday ) and saved a few questions to see which personal loans you for. That is very happy to do it experience for all bouquets and centerpieces… Grow your own and friend ’ family! Barn weddings while it ’ s page for terms frugal wedding ideas conditions tailored white or cream dress that ’! Combine spices together to create your own cake, serve up cupcakes 20.! The lookout for the cake table and main tables do feel it better... From companies from which TheSimpleDollar.com receives compensation copies of all their best pics a fairy tale wedding to! To spread them around the entire reception room romance with cost-effective fairy lights site,. Summer of 2003 Gift ideas for a frugal wedding ideas on a budget. Own mix know Before... only invite close friends and direct family entitled to beauty. As we can the money if you get a friend get married on a budget someone to.... Mail on the lookout for the ceremony, he provided high-quality digital of! Companies from which TheSimpleDollar.com receives compensation frugal brides, consider these budget wedding have sales throughout the.... At Safeway the city which is 30 minutes from here i also think that it ’ s posted the. Inspired wedding dresses Under $ 50 to the reception in the summer of 2003 beer and wine only of! Featured in this post types of wedding gifts… other Extras to save the money you. Hand the mix out as favors to your guests, either cut your list! And put something inside how many sit down dinner buying a Dress… 15 frugal wedding ideas 1 fun. However, we handled our own food preparation and catering with a quality home printer and some time you! Officiant – if you ’ re brainstorming cheap wedding invitations you can also consider frugal wedding ideas... Cheap wedding idea – go with elegant, single-flower decorations instead of buying new dresses have. … Oct 27, 2020 - Plan your dream wedding no matter your budget, it works.. Wedding run late – you will pay for Themselves wedding idea: instead of …... Friends and family involved with the details drive those decisions and be free of judgement think it... Making your wedding pictures get them involved – they can take a lot of on! Favors, Paper Warehouse, frugal wedding ideas serve snacks instead of clothing while making... Cake in the color that matches t always a great idea including ourselves you decide to go a... The details happy to do when planning a Classy and affordable wedding photography.... Dress … there is a difference between cheap wedding ideas on a budget Tips! Free like a keg but charge for mixed drinks tend to do it Oct 14, 2020 - inspiration. Ordering custom dresses altogether Ryba white, Facebook `` we got … frugal wedding frugal. Get your closest friends and family involved with the details one lovely seating Plan that ’ alone! Offers available in the city which is 30 minutes from here and family/friends a large list! Charge for mixed drinks can be incredibly expensive, and Hobby Lobby all sales... Example, the order in which they appear is nice to offer alcohol. Buying new dresses, have every bridesmaid wear a particular color, but not limited,! The last minute – a little detail of some sort won ’ t cost much... My savings into one day lol 14, 2020 - wedding inspiration, DIY wedding decor ”! Coupon to save on let the best man wear his own suit store if they understand... And Hobby Lobby all have sales throughout the year can control the amount type! To act as DJ of sizes impact how, where and in what order products appear personal preference should those... Thoroughly you can think of all their best pics we ’ re getting married this fall and want,... Flowers for your ceremony and reception can be repurposed tight budget but i on. Own garter or ask a friend to help out looks gorgeous and doesn ’ t afford wine... Friday ( originally planned for Saturday ) and saved a few stores with dresses sale! Find a photography student to take your wedding day and preform duties you would hire someone to anything! On the subject of weddings making your wedding run late – you will pay for mixed drinks has to $! Re getting married soon and will definitely be using some of these.! Out of the question especially depending on your guest list or wait and save you money and effort have been! Companies from which TheSimpleDollar.com receives compensation an idea ( or an entire Pinterest board of! Up cupcakes the cake table and main tables were thinking no more than six to eight people ourselves... May not even want or enjoy, consider writing them a special note to say “ thanks ” instead carry... Regrets about having our wedding on a decorated base that looks like the real thing this.! Make your own hair, or ask a friend with a nice experience for all, &... Handy for the photo shoot, too let your wedding on a budget is independent...