“After surveying nearly 13,000 real brides and grooms across America, The Knot 2016 wedding study found that the overall cost of a wedding has soared to new heights, with a national average of $35,329 increasing by $2,688 from 2015” (Seaver). Despite this increase the number of average number of guest has decreased from 149 in 2009 to 141 in 2016. This indicates that personalization and unforgettable guest experiences are becoming the top priority for most of the couples. This increased spending per guest has made to-be-weds more excited than ever to create the ultimate guest experience hence promoting creative-thinking entertainment and incomparable amenities, ranging from food trucks, lawn games and photo booths to aerialists, gospel choirs and live portrait artists.
Ways to save money and time at weddings:
A couple should remember throughout their wedding planning that they are designing a day for themselves to have fun and enjoy. With this in mind, they should have an idea about what matter to them the most, therefore focusing on areas that make their heart go pitter-patter. According to a survey conducted by St. Louis Bride and Groom magazine regarding what guests tend to remember, 81% of guests said that the entertainment is the most memorable part of a wedding. The foundation of the wedding day is going to be how much is the couple willing to spend and what matters to them the most. A properly managed budget, along with some smart shopping and creative thinking, will allow them to be flexible and to emphasize on those parts of the day that they feel are most important. Therefore, one can focus on what is more important to them and remember that not every amenity outlined in the wedding books has be to a part of the wedding celebration.
For planning a cheaper wedding consider starting with an inexpensive location. For example, taking the ceremony to the next level by using a historic city hall or scenic local park instead.
Moreover, there is also an option of finding some beautiful homes on Airbnb or HomeAway, this can also serve as an accommodation for out-of-town guests. Apart from this there are often hidden costs included in venue cost. For example, many places charge "food and drink minimums" for Saturday weddings. Therefore, a venue that charges $18,000 for food and drink minimum, means that even if the guests ate and drank just $12,000 worth of food and alcohol the bridal couple would be paying a hidden cost $18000, including a hidden cost of $6000.
So, one can avoid these charges scheduling at a less popular time, such as a Friday or Sunday, or settling on a venue that doesn't charge minimums.
According to the Knot 2016 study wedding study couples spent an average of $2,534. However, “John Tabis, founder and CEO of The Bouqs Company, says people may be able to spend as little as $700 and get the same number of flowers. The key is to buy wholesale and make the arrangements yourself” (LaPonsie). Warehouses stores like Costco or online retailers like Bouqs are some places where flowers can be bought at wholesale. However, this is recommended for only when the couples can ask for help from someone who is comfortable and knowledgeable about flowers.
Once the arrangement has been made, the flowers can be used to serve multiple purposes such as using the same ones at the ceremony and reception could then after the reception be used favors or gifts to save even more. For example, Tabis had the flowers from the arch at his wedding ceremony transferred to a reception location. “He says the move "absolutely added stress" to the day, but it also cut flower costs significantly. To minimize any potential stress, call on a trusted friend or relative to oversee the transfer” (LaPonsie).
Apart from this supersizing the flower also helps in reducing the cost. Preferring bigger buds will result in fewer stems, hence reducing the cost allocated ton flowers. For example, “blooms such as African marigolds, gladiolus, and "Stargazer" lilies, …easily fill a room” (Willdrof).
Instead of asking for gifts from friends and family, the couple can encourage them to offer for services in exchange for a wedding gift, this can cut down on the wedding cost. Consider it as a cost-free outsourcing. Gathering some close friends, analyzing their strengths and delegating tasks accordingly could be another way to reduce cost. For example, if one of the couple’s friend has a beautiful handwriting then he could be assigned the task of lettering. This way the preparation could be turned into a party. However, it must be insured that these people have enough time left for themselves to enjoy the ceremony and reception.
Notes Denise Vivaldo, a caterer and author of "Do It for Less! Weddings: How to Create Your Dream Wedding Without Breaking the Bank" says to think monochromatic stating "Color is cheap, and it can become your theme" (weddings). For example, the bill for bridesmaid bouquets could have easily been five hundred dollars or more, so instead have them hold brightly colored parasols, which cost only around eight dollars each, making the entire bunch around the cost of a single floral bouquet.
There are also other options available such as fans, paper pinwheels or clutches. Anthony Navarro, a Chicago-based wedding planner and owner of Liven It Up Events said he's coordinated an evening ceremony where the bridesmaids held lit candles, and others where brides made bouquets out of brooches. “Anthony Navarro, a Chicago-based wedding planner and owner of Liven It Up Events said he's coordinated an evening ceremony where the bridesmaids held lit candles, and others where brides made bouquets out of brooches” (Hickens). Moreover, paper goods such as menus can be removed completely with cheaper substitutes. For example, instead providing the guests with menus there can be a large chalkboard sign that would serve this purpose.
Bargaining and searching for lowest price possible for everything ranging from fabric and trim to antique Mason jars on eBay, Etsy, Craigslist or at a local flea market, for half the price and twice the charm, could save a lot for the bridal couple yet at the same time they may be able to buy personalized items.
One might consider buying from a small shop though they are not usually cheaper but they may be willing to negotiate on price and are also more innovative as compared to other. For example, bridesmaids buy dresses which they are not going to wear again in future instead, there is an option to rent these dresses from Little Borrowed Dress. As for the shorter styles, the company charges only $50 a dress and simply requires them to pop the dresses in the mail after the wedding. So, all it cost is about $70 per bridesmaid, less than half the price of a typical bridesmaid dress, with required insurance and shipping charges.
Shopping online for items such as candles, specialty decor pieces or even shoes saves both time and money. However, the couples must make sure that the online store they are buying from has a return policy, which will allow them to order multiple sizes without having to worry about the size issue.
Planning wedding at work can save one oodles of time as many vendors are working during normal work hours and are happy to reply via email. Moreover, lunch break could be used for meeting the vendors. This would save a lot of time for the couple to spend time together after work.
