Frugalize Your Wedding (and no one has to know)
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Weddings, almost without question, are expensive! And it seems like sometimes when you speak to vendors just saying a rental or service is for a wedding doubles the price of every aspect of the event. Here are a few tips to keep your dollars in check for your big day, without sacrificing quality.
Venue - get creative! Sometimes the best venues are the ones that don’t make the Top 10 list for your area. Explore restaurants, local farms, small museums, a local lodge, vineyards or a military mess. Don’t forget to make a list of your top 5 and compare them based on total price to get the full picture. For example, the cost of food may be more expensive at Venue A but drinks and venue price may be higher at Venue B. Make a complete list of cost estimates for each venue so that you’re comparing apples to apples.
Food and Drink - the hardest part to frugalize. Explore venues that allow you to bring your own alcohol (a huge cost savings); consider a closed bar, a toonie bar, or open bar only until a set time; skip cocktail hour; ask if you can supply the midnight buffet (if you plan to do one); or, negotiate a menu with the venue that works for you (i.e. Upgrade only the entree but not the appetizer or dessert).
Wedding Dress - There are so many ways to avoid paying top dollar for your attire without affecting how amazing you will look on your wedding day. If you’re looking for a traditional dress, consider buying off the rack (you should save AT LEAST 10%), buying from a trunk sale, buying a style from last season or year, or buy a dress second hand/on consignment. To save even more, consider having your dress custom made abroad, rent a dress, go vintage or modify grandma’s or mom’s dress, or buy a white non-wedding dress. Lastly, for alterations, shop around before accepting the dress shop’s recommendation.
Suits - If your heart is set on a tux or suit, consider renting or picking a suit color that everyone already owns (i.e. black or navy). Also consider having your suit custom made abroad. If you think beyond suits, the options are limitless and less expensive - chinos, slacks, bow ties, colorful shirts or vests for example.
Photography - Start by finding out what professional photographers in your area charge. Unless you are a photo enthusiast, aim to find someone that charges half that. Chances are, you’ll be able to find someone that side hustles, has just started out, is building a portfolio, or genuinely believes that everyone deserves great photography without it costing a fortune. The best place to start is by asking for referrals from friends, colleagues and family. Try to avoid using a friend or family member as your photographer because it places a great deal of stress on that person and could potentially impact your relationship with him or her if the photos are not what you expect. No matter who your photographer is, negotiate a package that includes a collection of edited digital files that you can print freely (preferably up to at least 8x10 if not larger).
Cake - skip it all together. If you feel that is too drastic, consider making it yourself or perhaps enlist a skilled parent, aunt/uncle, cousin, sibling. Choosing a simple style, having a display cake (with a slab cake that gets cut up - all behind the scenes so the guests are none the wiser) or go for a non-traditional wedding cake (i.e. Cheese arranged on a cake platform, a beautiful strawberry shortcake, your favorite black forest cake, etc.). All of these options can save your budget money.
Flowers - the two most frugal options are to skip flowers altogether or take on the task yourself. There are endless youtube videos and as someone that has done this for her own wedding - it was much easier than I thought it would be! Buy all the flowers wholesale at a flower market or distributor (your nearest Costco for example), have them ready for pick up 2-3 days before your wedding and then get your nearest and dearest together to assemble bouquets and centrepieces (with a bottle of wine or two). Fun and frugal!
Wedding Registry - consider registering for your honeymoon! There are plenty of website options but the outcome is that your guests get to help you have the best honeymoon possible!
Wedding Favours - donate to your favorite charity in place of wedding favours.
Never take a cost associated with a wedding at face value. Always investigate, negotiate, and get creative. Chances are there is a more frugal option just waiting to be discovered!Article by Jessica Alen, MeVest Contributor