The average cost of a wedding today is over $28,500. In today's economy this can be very tough on couples. Fortunately there are many ways to save on your wedding and your guests won't even realize it!
Stationery:
One way to save is to use an RSVP postcard instead of a full card. This will not only save on paper cost but also on mailing cost. Better yet you can use a wedding website for guests to RSVP to.
Another way to save is to include the directions to the ceremony and reception on your wedding website rather than printing an extra direction card. And if the ceremony and reception are at the same location you can skip the reception card and note "reception to follow" on the invitation. Even if they are in different locations you can note "reception to follow at The Hamilton Ballroom."
For the envelopes, skip the lined envelope. Most people won't even notice this little detail. And use just one envelope instead of two (traditionally people used an inner and outer envelope to protect the invitations but with the improved postal service this isn't needed).
Also skip the bows and other embellishments on the invitations. And make sure to proof read and have multiple people proof read everything before sending to the printer in order to avoid having to reorder! This sounds like common sense but you'd be surprised how often it happens!
Flowers:
When choosing your bouquets use larger, fuller flowers (such as hydrangeas instead of roses). The larger and fuller the flower, the less you will need. Also use more greens in the bouquets.
By using locally grown flowers this will save you money and they will also be fresher. If you're not set on a specific flower you can allow your florist to buy at local markets. And have the florist stick to flowers that are in season. Finally, use flowers at both the ceremony and reception to help save on costs.
Dress:
For the groom's tux find a rental place that offers a free tux for the groom with the rental of tuxes for the groomsmen.
For the bride many salons have sample sales to clear room for new styles coming in. Check with local bridal salons to see if they have sales coming up.
Guest List:
By cutting down the guest list this will save money over several categories. You'll need less food, less favors, less centerpieces, and less invitations! Have two lists: list A for those you must invite, and list B for those you'd like to. As those from list A decline you can move up those from list B. Also, if you have to think a lot about whether to invite a specific person...this probably means you don't need to invite them!
Couples often stress about the guest list the most. They worry that people will be upset if they are not invited. Just explain to people that due to budget you are limiting the guest list to close family and friends. Or you can explain to your coworkers that since you both have large families you will be limiting the list.
Ceremony:
The ceremony location is not usually a large cost but there are still ways to save on the decor. If you get married around Easter at a church most likely the church will be decorated with flowers which will save you that expense. Also, if you get married outdoors you really don't need to add any decor.
Reception:
To save money on your reception get married on a Friday evening or a Sunday. You could do a cocktail reception with heavy h'ordeurves on Friday or you could do a Sunday brunch.
See if the reception venue will allow you to bring your own alcohol. This will save you quite a bit of money. Also, stick to a limited bar of soda, beer, and wine. You could add a signature cocktail to the mix also.
Another way to save is to have your ceremony and/or reception at a public building that is not set up to just do weddings. For example check out your local library or museum. Both provide beautiful backdrops which means you won't need to dress it up, plus they are normally much lower cost. Or if you know someone with a beautiful back yard this would be a low (or free) venue.
Favors:
Personalized CDs are a great, inexpensive favor. You can buy CDs in bulk at most office supply stores and if you watch the Sunday ads you'll often find great deals. You can fill them with songs that have meaning to you.
Bulk candy is also inexpensive and can be dressed up with bags, boxes, or ribbons. Or you can put seeds into a terra-cotta pot for people to plant when they get home. Or choose a locally produced item (for example sea salt for a beach location). Or go with caramel apples for a fall wedding. You can make them yourself. The same with chocolate, you can buy chocolate molds in most any shape you want and make them at home.
Cake:
One thing that many people don't think of is to check with your local culinary school to see if they have wedding cakes as part of their curriculum. If they do they often charge only for materials so this can be a great savings. And the instructors keep an eye on every aspect of the cake making.
You can also avoid labor-intensive decorations and use fresh flowers instead of sugar flowers. Also, choose buttercream instead of fondant. If you like the look of fondant, most skilled bakers can replicate the look of fondant with buttercream. And the most popular way to save money is to have a smaller display cake or have a foam layer in the cake and then have a "sheet" cake in the back. Bakers will make the sheet cake almost identical to the real cake (same icing and fillings) and your guests will never know the difference.
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