We don’t think anyone’s wedding should break the bank. We’re all for friends and family having a grand old time, and we adore the fresh hope that comes with a new union, but we wouldn’t ever want you to plan a wedding that kicks off your marriage with financial stress!
Here are a few of our favourite money saving tips for planning your wedding – or any big celebration.
Off Season/In Season
Wedding experts agree that a little time shifting goes a long way. Consider a Friday night wedding, or a holiday Wednesday. Trade a formal, sit-down dinner for a wedding brunch or tea. Avoid prime “wedding months” like June and December. In BC, summer and ski season are big times for tourism, so think about a shoulder season date – you’ll find more choice, more flexibility and lower pricing from venues and suppliers. However, you’ll want to buy in-season when it comes to flowers and locally-sourced food. Think tulips and daffodils for a spring wedding, clusters of fall foliage in autumn.
Vary the Venue
Look for a venue with built-in ambiance and save on flowers, linens and decor. Compare the cost of renting a space and buying food, drinks and décor separately versus choosing a venue that has all its own vendors. Sometimes the peace of mind is worth the additional cost, but on the flip side, sometimes couples find hands-on management makes the wedding experience more fun.
Alternative Food
It’s okay to move away from tried-and-true chicken-or-fish, and let your wedding reflect your individual style or heritage. Serve sliders and sides, old school BBQ, your favourite family foods, or hire a food truck for fun. Skip the fancy wedding cake – the cost is often in the intricate labour, not in the flavour – and offer a sweet table, fancy doughnuts or cupcakes. Many couples now opt for a small display cake they can cut for their photo opp and freeze for later, while serving guests a dessert that they’ll enjoy more.
Lower Liquor Costs
At some weddings, an open bar can be a runaway cost. Licensed venues charge for every bottle opened, even if it’s just for one drink, so consider a venue without a liquor license that allows you to purchase a special event license just for your day – you can buy your own liquor (at retail, not corkage-fee costs) and keep the leftovers. Or limit bar service to beer, wine and a signature cocktail to curb the variety of drinks mixed and poured. Another way to control the bill is to keep bubbly at the bar. In some venues, servers will hand every guest a glass of champagne before speeches, even to people who don’t enjoy drinking it. Don’t feel you need to provide every guest with a fresh glass of champagne just for toasting. Announce when speeches are starting, and let people who want bubbly fetch a glass while others toast with what they have.
Simple is In – Hooray!
Simple and bold is fashionable in design and décor circles, which can help when you pay for your party. Choose one, bold colour scheme – you’ll save on printing, linens and rentals. Simple shift dresses for bridesmaids flatter all forms. Pick uncluttered, elegant bouquets and centrepieces to save on flowers. Make your own playlist and forego the cover band. Many couples are opting for home-made favours – grandma’s secret baklava recipe enclosed within a box of the tasty treats, or even a note indicating a donation to charity in lieu of favours.
Score Extra Points
We’ll repeat our earlier advice – try not to go overboard or over budget, even for a big celebration. If the money’s in the bank and you have a credit card that earns rewards, by all means use it to pay for supplies and services. This is a great opportunity to stock up on points for rewards like financial products, charitable giving or travel. We’d much prefer it if you started your new life together with a shared cause, an awesome trip, or a Tax Free Savings account, rather than a wedding loan repayment schedule!
If you have any money-saving, budgeting, or financial future questions, get in touch. We’re always happy to help.