Planning a wedding can be costly, which makes it a special challenge for college students. For couples on a budget, here is a guide to an inexpensive wedding:
General TipsOne easy way to save money is to plan the wedding for an off time – a less common day, time or month.
Having a wedding on an off day such as a Friday or a Sunday can save money, said Abby Rose, event planner for Creative Cuisine. Couples can get discounts on those days because they don’t fill up as often.
Planning the reception for an off time can also save money. Instead of serving full meals at the reception, plan a dessert reception or an afternoon tea party, Rose said. These ideas are a twist on the normal idea of a reception and can be easier on the pocketbook.
November through April are off months for weddings, so couples can save money by planning for those times, said Jamie Rapavy, owner of Devoted to Details.
Outfits and accessoriesThe bride’s dress is often the most expensive part of a wedding besides the reception, said Holly Easton, owner of Holly’s Unique Weddings and Gowns. However, there are many ways to save on the dress.
One way is to take a mother’s old dress and update it. This gives the bride something old and borrowed to wear, and by resizing and updating it, the bride can make it her own, Easton said.
Consignment stores are often a good place to look for dresses. A step up from the local Goodwill, Easton said these stores offer used clothing and often have good name brands. This way, a bride can pay $250 or $300 instead $1,000 for her dress.
Easton said buying sample dresses from bridal stores is another way to save money. Brides who feel uncomfortable wearing a used dress might be able to wash it, because most dresses now are made from man-made fibers like polyester, she said.
Rental shops often offer group discounts on tuxedos.
Because wedding shoes can be expensive and will most likely be worn only once, buy them at a discount store like Payless. Easton said brides can get a pair of strappy shoes or slippers at these stores for next to nothing. To dress up a pair of slippers, glue some lace or sequins on them, Easton said.
Most shoes – except for patent leather – can be dyed.
“And if you’re really brave, you can get spray dye at the shoe department at Meijer’s,” Easton said.
Receptions There are many ways to save money on food at the reception.
For informal, outdoor weddings, Easton said couples can save by serving finger foods instead of a sit-down meal.
For those who want a full-course meal at their reception, asking family and friends to cook is a “nice way to bring in a family touch,” Rose said.
If family members don’t want to cook, they can call independent, family-owned caterers, which are often cheaper than big companies. Because server fees can be pricey, enlisting family members as servers can help reduce catering costs, Easton said.
“The best thing for any bride to do is be honest with the caterer about her budget,” Rose said. This allows the caterer to plan the reception with the resources available.
Open bars might be fun and convenient, but they are also expensive, Easton said. Limiting open bar times and menus can save money.
Couples can also bring their own alcohol or enlist the best man to be their bartender. Easton said it’s important to think of the reception as a social event rather than a chore.
An alternative to expensive desserts, candy tables are a cheap, fun way to sweeten things up. For a touch a creativity, couples can set up tables with specific color or themed candies, Rose said. Large glass bowls can be set up on the table with ice scoops and bags for guests to help themselves, she said.
Bringing decorations from home is an inexpensive way to dress up a reception hall. Ficus trees or other plants can make the hall a little bit homier, Rapavy said.
Decorations can also be purchased at party stores. Foam core – a thin, white panel sold in craft stores and commonly used for theater scenery – can be used to make decorations, Easton said.
A little foam core and a bit of creativity are a cheap way to turn an ordinary reception hall into a castle, she said. Inexpensive entertainment for this medieval reception could include a juggler or a four-piece band.
The most important thing to remember is to leave plenty of time to plan, Easton said.
“Just relax and enjoy it,” she said.
Elizabeth Mathis can be reached at [email protected].
