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10 cost-saving tips for your wedding

June 17, 2016

Happy Friday, friends! Over the last few weeks (and looking back on lots of real weddings) we’ve been compiling some great cost-saving tips for your wedding. There’s no one way to plan a wedding and every couple has their own set of must-haves (which we recommend discussing early on, btw) so it makes sense that there are tons of ways to pull it off. And all of our fave methods involve not only saving money, but upping the creativity and personalization factor. Major plus!

Colorful wedding ceremony Cost-saving tips for your wedding

(photo credit)

We’ve seen couples say I Do in their favorite park (see photo below!), a barn at a picnic site, and even approach properties that aren’t normally event venues (this Atlanta wedding comes to mind). You can also select a venue that doesn’t require use of their vendors. While recommendations are always helpful, being able to pick and choose will allow you to choose services in your price range.

Cost-saving tips for your wedding Cost-saving tips for your wedding

By choosing a preowned or vintage dress, you can find one that’s super unique and doesn’t come with the markup new styles have. And did you know that having a dress made custom is often cheaper than a designer dress? Not to mention so much more personal. There are also tons of gowns out there that aren’t labeled bridal (and thus are cheaper!), but are stunning for weddings.

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

(Callahan gown for $198! Photo from this wedding)

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

(Claire Pettibone Romantique Collection, starting at $1500)

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

You don’t even have to eliminate flowers entirely to save money, but the more creative décor you have throughout your ceremony + reception, like candles, frames, and DIY projects, the less you’ll rely on spendy arrangements to adorn the space. You can even craft your own paper flowers like the bride from this wedding did. (Such a fun surprise for guests to see too!)

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

(photo credit)

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

How about these gems from the tablescape in this wedding inspiration?

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

Love the idea of candles as centerpieces and throughout, like in this colorful Italian wedding.

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

Food and drink often run a wedding budget through the roof, so if you’re open to alternative, and sometimes more casual, ideas, the sky’s the limit. Opting for a food truck, picnic, potluck, or BBQ from your fave local joint often not only saves money, but offers up a nice atmosphere for guests to mingle. When it comes to drink, sticking to beer + wine or one signature cocktail as opposed to a full bar is a major cost saver, but still super fun.

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

(photo credit)

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

(Such a cute beer inspired wedding)

Cost-saving tips for your wedding Cost-saving tips for your wedding

Crafting is an obvious option, but you probably don’t want to be crafting up until the day itself! Handmade favors like these above are like a personal thank you to guest, and things like cute potted plants and little jars of jam are inexpensive but thoughtful. Plus, just because it’s DIY doesn’t mean you need to do it all yourself. You can always enlist help via websites like Fiverr for creative services.

olive oil favors

(olive oil favors)

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

Lots of brides feel the need to incorporate tradition into their wedding when it doesn’t quite feel like them. If paper invitations, a wedding party, cake, or any other wedding ritual doesn’t totally represent you, just say no! Not only will this make your day more special, you’ll save so much $$$.

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

We always love hearing that a bride and groom enlisted their parents or brothers and sisters to help construct their ceremony arch or backdrop. Whether it’s building a wooden arbor or painting a colorful backdrop, this creates a huge focal point that will transform the space.

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

(photo from this creative wedding)

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

Coveted weekend space at wedding venues comes with a price, so if you can swing a weekday wedding or even a Sunday, do it! Often it leaves room in the budget for more celebrations and chances to actually connect with guests over the weekend anyway.

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

(Loved this casual backyard fiesta)

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

You can sell everything from the dress to props to decor after the day is done. Chances are there’s another bride looking for a good deal and you can make some of your money back doing so.

Cost-saving tips for your wedding

(photo from this California ranch wedding)

These cost saving tips require a little creative thinking, but don’t think that just because you’re on a budget you must take it all on yourself! You may have heard us mention Fiverr, which is a site for couples to enlist creative professionals for wedding help on anything from website design to crafting services to virtual wedding assistance, and more. They’re hosting a pretty sweet sweeps too! You could win $25,000 to use toward Fiverr’s contract services and partners for your wedding. Yep. Head over to Fiverr to view official rules and enter.

Good luck!

This post is sponsored by Fiverr. Big thanks to Fiverr, and big thanks to you for supporting the brands that keep 100 Layer Cake sharing beautiful inspiration!