DECOR / FLORALS:
Florals take up a large part of your budget very quickly! An easy and trendy way to reduce your floral budget is using candles as guest table centrepieces. It creates a glow and romantic vibe in your reception.
Eternal Bliss Events TIP: Repurpose your florals!
Eternal Bliss Events Couple: Nickeisha & Logan ~ Photo Credit: Nicole Johnson Photo
Altar pieces can be repurposed by your welcome table or head table
Ceremony backdrop can be repurposed as the head table backdrop or as a photo backdrop for your guests to use throughout the evening
Centrepieces can be used as aisle decor. You can ask your planner or florist if they can assist in moving them onto reception tables following the ceremony
Bridesmaids' bouquets can be repurposed in vases on the welcome table, wedding party table, sweetheart table, cake table, etc. The options are endless!
Extra beauty and less waste!
DIY WEDDING STATIONERY
Stationery is one part of your wedding budget that can be a DIY project! With the help of Canva, or a Cricut you can easily create your lux-looking stationery at a budget price!
Skip the save-the-date! Save-the-dates are not mandatory unless you are getting married out of town or abroad. Just be sure to send out your invites with ample time for guests to RSVP (3 months before your big day)
Invitations: Mail a simple 1-page invitation accompanied by a wedding website that has all of the extra information you want to share with your guests and a place to RSVP.
Guestbook: Forego the book or have a single photo for your guests to sign that you can frame and display in your home- check out Pinterest for inspiration!
Signage: DIY your Seating chart, Welcome Sign, Bar Sign, Name Card, Table Numbers, and Menu- all items that you can easily design and print!
WEDDING DATE:
From May to September (AKA peak wedding season), all wedding vendors are extremely busy and their prices reflect it- specifically venues. As such, considering an off-season month can impact the price of your venue. Alternatively. for additional savings, consider having a Friday or Sunday wedding, as these days can lower certain fees at many venues.
ATTIRE
Dresses:
Bridal designers Vera Wang, Pnina Tornei, Monique Lhuillier, Oscar de la Renta, and more, create stunning dresses, but if you’re working with a tight budget- thousands of dollars on a dress is not necessary. As long as you feel beautiful, that’s what matters. There are even places to rent your dress or buy a pre-loved dress.
Shoes:
The idea of a designer 4-inch heel with a red bottom or delicate white bows is wonderful. However, wedding days are LONG! So, pick a shoe that is pretty & practical! Or, if you want that shot of your fabulous designer shoes, pick a pair that isn’t too bridal so you will wear them again!
TABLEWARE & LINENS
Most venues have standard tableware and linens included in their package for you to choose from. Select linens, glassware and flatware that your venue offers rather than renting all unique tableware. If you would like to have one element on your tables to better reflect your colour palette, we suggest renting napkins.
GET READY AT HOME
If your ceremony venue is local, easily save hundreds by getting ready at home rather than a hotel! However, if you choose a venue 30+ minutes away from your home, it is beneficial to your timeline to book a hotel room nearby.
CAKE
Many couples are choosing to not have a traditional tiered cake and are choosing a small cake to stay on budget. Some couples are even forgoing a cake all together. It is common that many guests don’t eat cake at a wedding when served at the late-night buffet should there be other late night options available. Consider forgoing cake, choosing a single-tier cake for a cute photo and a MUCH lower price tag or serving just cake/sweets for a late night station (instead of savoury options) to ensure your cake does not go to waste!
BAR
To lower some costs when it comes to alcohol, we recommend shortening the number of hours that the bar will be open. Some ideas to still have alcohol available while keeping the bar closed are; having a signature drink passed around during cocktail hour with a non-alcohol bar, keeping the bar closed during dinner and offering bottles of wine on the table, and eliminating the champagne toast (if it is not already included in your venue’s bar package).
A-LIST GUESTS
Your wedding day should only have your family and friends who are on your A-List! To keep your guest count down, only give plus 1s to those who are in committed relationships or you know them (you shouldn’t meet people for the first time on your wedding day).
TRANSPORTATION
An easy spot in the budget to save on is transportation. Skip the party bus/ limo and have a parent or member of the bridal party drive your crew to the venue and pre-order an Uber home! Or take Uber to and from your venue(s).
BONUS: WORK WITH A PLANNER/COORDINATOR
Full, partial or month-of, we will help you manage your budget, keep you on track while planning, set up and tear down your DIY projects, and manage all vendors leading up to and on your big day!
12. BONUS EBE TIP: WHAT TO SPLURGE ON
When creating your total wedding budget, there are a few places that we believe you shouldn't find the cheaper option. We suggest dedicating a larger part of your budget to your food and entertainment! This is what your guests will remember and enjoy the most!
Want to know more of our splurging tips? Stay tuned for the next post!
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