Wedding Bells on a Budget: Have Your Cake & Eat It Too

Weddings are one of the most joyous occasions we can experience. But it's estimated that the typical American wedding costs are $24,000, with most couples spending anywhere from $18,000 to $30,000 on their big day. Beside making a checklist and creating a budget, here are 9 ideas to help keep nuptial expenses down.

1. Cut the Guest List

Did you know that the average number of guests at a wedding is 157? With meals costing approximately $40-$50 per person, you may need to slash the guest list. The most diplomatic way to do this without hurting anyone's feelings is to determine how many guests you can afford to invite, look at the number of people in your immediate family, and extend outward in familial “rings.”

First consider how many parents and stepparents are on your list, and then count the number of grandparents, siblings and spouses. If you can accommodate more individuals, look at close friends, aunts and uncles or perhaps first cousins.

2. Buy Your Dress Off the Rack

Of course the dresses in the bridal magazines look spectacular, but there are plenty of discount wedding stores that sell stunning yet inexpensive gowns off the rack. With a number of bridal stores going under due to the economy, walking out of the store with your dress rather than waiting months for it to arrive via special order also gives you the security of knowing the dress is safely in your closet.

3. Ease Up on the Alcohol

Weddings are about celebrating your happy day, not about an open bar that's loaded with liquor. Cut out one of the biggest costs of your reception by limiting your alcohol options to wine and beer. If wine and champagne will be served during the meal, feel free to close up the bar once the main course is served.

4. Look for Hidden Costs

Many brides-to-be are shocked to discover that some venues charge a “cake cutting fee” for every slice of wedding cake that's cut, a “wine and champagne corkage fee” for every bottle opened, and even a coffee-serving surcharge. Negotiate with your reception provider to have these silly fees removed.

5. Consider a Hotel

If you are lucky enough to live in an area where the weather is lovely year-round you may want to consider an outdoor wedding. But if you live in a city that periodically experiences inclement weather, consider moving your wedding and reception at a hotel. Holding your ceremony and reception at one location eliminates the need to rent limousines and rush from one spot to the next.

Hotels that offer amenities such as a pool, on-site restaurants, nearby shopping or free transportation to and from the airport can make your nuptials convenient for out-of-town guests. As an added bonus, many properties give the bride and groom a complimentary stay in their honeymoon suite following the wedding festivities.

6. Consider a Morning Wedding

Evening weddings usually cost more due to the expense of the meal. Price out more affordable options such as a breakfast, brunch or late-afternoon receptions where you can serve lighter meals, fresh fruit and sweets, crudités or hors d'œuvres with wine or champagne.

7. Get Married Any Day Except Saturday

Saturday is the most popular day of the week to marry and often the busiest for churches, wedding halls, photographers, bakeries and hotels. Studies have shown that the most expensive time to get married is at 7 p.m. on a Saturday night. Because Saturday prices are so high, booking your wedding on any other day will be a bargain.

8. Let Bridesmaids Select Their Own Dresses

When it comes to cutting costs, consider your wedding party. Why force your girlfriends to spend hundreds of dollars on dresses they'll never wear again? Make your wedding day a special occasion for your bridesmaids by providing general color and dress guidelines and then let each woman select a gown that she can afford and will be able to wear afterwards.

9. Choose Flowers that are In Season

Flowers are an instrumental part of most weddings but there's no need to break the bank by purchasing elaborate and pricey bouquets. Come up with a budget for flowers and rely on your florist's expertise to help you select affordable seasonal blooms. Load up on greens and baby's breath so that your bouquets aren't as costly and ask your florist to recommend reasonably priced arrangements.

Your wedding day should be everything you've dreamed of. But remember that you can still have a wonderful marriage ceremony and reception without breaking the bank. Spend more on items with real sentimental value, which will become keepsakes or heirlooms.  Be frugal with things (like food) that are gone in an instant so you won't come away bogged down with years of debt for a 4-5 hour event.

About the author

Evelyn Chambers is a wedding planner and part-time blogger, who loves unique gifts and cards like the handmade wedding cards from Lotus Art Studio

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