13
photos
Trying to pull off the wedding of your dreams on a tight budget? Here’s some good news: You don’t need to sacrifice elements of your dream day just because you can’t afford to spend six figures on your event. The key is putting a bit more time and effort into the planning process to source out deals. Start with these 13 tips. We’ll spill the details on how to score a less expensive venue, hire a photographer on the cheap, find a gown for less and share ideas for cutting costs on everything from catering to flowers.
-
- 127106
- <b>Wedding Planning</b><br /> <br /> If you've decided you can't handle all the decision-making and stressful planning on your own, enlist the help of a close family member or friend to help take on the burden of scheduling (in lieu of a paid wedding planner). Then hire a day-of planner to organize while you and your right-hand woman are getting ready.<br /> <br /> <i>Image courtesy iStockphoto</i>
- Wedding Planning
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-planner-105x105.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-planner.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-planner.jpg
- 847
- 567
- https://weddingbells.ca/planning/13-cost-cutting-ideas-for-everything-from-photography-to-catering/slide/wedding-day-reminder/
- wedding-day-reminder
- 0
- 0
-
- 30321
- <b>Venue</b><br /> <br /> Choose a venue that doesn't ordinarily host weddings. They may not have all the decor you need, but you'll save a bundle on the space. Look to local restaurants, art galleries, dance studios, and other venues that don't have a set price for a wedding reception. Save on decor by choosing a venue that already has the look and feel you want for your wedding.<br /> <br /> <i>Image courtesy 5ive15ifteen Photography</i>
- Venue
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Adam-5ive15feteen-VENUE-105x105.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Adam-5ive15feteen-VENUE.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Adam-5ive15feteen-VENUE.jpg
- 550
- 367
- https://weddingbells.ca/planning/13-cost-cutting-ideas-for-everything-from-photography-to-catering/slide/adam-5ive15feteen-venue/
- adam-5ive15feteen-venue
- 0
- 0
-
- 127100
- <b>Caterering</b><br /> <br /> Rather than having a full-course dinner, save on food by having an afternoon brunch or lunch reception or a late evening cocktail party. <br /> <br /> <i>Image courtesy Jamie Delaine</i>
- Catering
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-catering-105x105.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-catering.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-catering.jpg
- 550
- 825
- https://weddingbells.ca/planning/13-cost-cutting-ideas-for-everything-from-photography-to-catering/slide/wedding-cost-cutting-catering/
- wedding-cost-cutting-catering
- 0
- 0
-
- 127105
- <b>Photography</b><br /> <br /> You don't necessarily have to hire a high-priced photographer to get professional-quality wedding photos. Hire a student or someone who is new to the business. Their rates tend to be less expensive because they lack experience, but a lack of experience does not mean they lack talent. Also look to daily coupon sites like Groupon for deals on engagement sessions and wedding photography.<br /> <br /> <i>Image courtesy iStockphoto</i>
- Photography
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-photographer-105x105.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-photographer.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-photographer.jpg
- 849
- 565
- https://weddingbells.ca/planning/13-cost-cutting-ideas-for-everything-from-photography-to-catering/slide/wedding-cost-cutting-photographer/
- wedding-cost-cutting-photographer
- 0
- 0
-
- 30319
- <b>Flowers</b><br /> <br /> Use in-season flowers or non-floral arrangements for your bouquets and centrepieces. If your venue will allow, carry tapered candles down the aisle and use tea lights and silk flower petals as centrepieces. Candles are elegant and fairly inexpensive to buy.<br /> <br /> <i>Image courtesy Nathan Walker Photography</i>
- Flowers
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/autumn-Nathan-Walker-Photography-FLOWERS-105x105.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/autumn-Nathan-Walker-Photography-FLOWERS.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/autumn-Nathan-Walker-Photography-FLOWERS.jpg
- 550
- 367
- https://weddingbells.ca/planning/13-cost-cutting-ideas-for-everything-from-photography-to-catering/slide/autumn-nathan-walker-photography-flowers/
- autumn-nathan-walker-photography-flowers
- 0
- 0
-
- 30331
- <b>Favours</b><br /> <br /> Donate to a charity close to your heart in honour of your wedding guests in lieu of favours. You don't have to make a donation for each individual guest the way you have to purchase favours. You can make one large donation in honour of all your guests for an amount you can afford.<br /> <br /> <i>Image courtesy Jason Dorey Photography</i>
- Favours
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/seaside-Jason-Dorey-Photography-FAVOURS-105x105.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/seaside-Jason-Dorey-Photography-FAVOURS.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/seaside-Jason-Dorey-Photography-FAVOURS.jpg
- 550
- 366
- https://weddingbells.ca/planning/13-cost-cutting-ideas-for-everything-from-photography-to-catering/slide/seaside-jason-dorey-photography-favours/
- seaside-jason-dorey-photography-favours
- 0
- 0
-
- 127101
- <b>Cake</b><br /> <br /> Get the important people in your life to make minis of their favourite cake recipes in lieu of a tiered cake. The responsibility will be shared, so you won't burden one person with baking 300 mini cakes and it'll be nice to incorporate your loved ones into your wedding. <br /> <br /> <i>Image courtesy Coralee Penner of Red Photo Co.</i>
- Cake and Desserts
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-dessert-105x105.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-dessert.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-dessert.jpg
- 600
- 400
- https://weddingbells.ca/planning/13-cost-cutting-ideas-for-everything-from-photography-to-catering/slide/wedding-cost-cutting-dessert/
- wedding-cost-cutting-dessert
- 0
- 0
-
- 127102
- <b>Music</b><br /> <br /> Rather than hiring an expensive band or DJ, make a playlist on your MP3 player, iPod or computer. <br /> <br /> <i>Image courtesy iStockphoto</i>
- Music
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-dj-105x105.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-dj.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-dj.jpg
- 849
- 565
- https://weddingbells.ca/planning/13-cost-cutting-ideas-for-everything-from-photography-to-catering/slide/nightclub-in-moscow-at-a-party/
- nightclub-in-moscow-at-a-party
- 0
- 0
-
- 30329
- <b>Alcohol</b><br /> <br /> Serving alcohol can be a huge expense at a wedding. Have a cash bar or provide guests with a few drink tickets to keep costs down. <br /> <br /> <i>Image courtesy Jamie Delaine</i>
- Alcohol
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jamie-Delaine-Photography-Vinatge-wedding-BOOZE-105x105.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jamie-Delaine-Photography-Vinatge-wedding-BOOZE.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jamie-Delaine-Photography-Vinatge-wedding-BOOZE.jpg
- 550
- 825
- https://weddingbells.ca/planning/13-cost-cutting-ideas-for-everything-from-photography-to-catering/slide/jamie-delaine-photography-vinatge-wedding-booze/
- jamie-delaine-photography-vinatge-wedding-booze
- 0
- 0
-
- 127103
- <b>Wedding Dress</b><br /> <br /> Buy a sample gown off the rack instead of ordering a new one at full price. Bridal boutiques often have sample sales and designers have trunk shows that offer huge savings on dresses.<br /> <br /> <i>Image courtesy iStockphoto</i>
- Wedding Dress
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-dress-105x105.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-dress.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-dress.jpg
- 1000
- 751
- https://weddingbells.ca/planning/13-cost-cutting-ideas-for-everything-from-photography-to-catering/slide/bld021547/
- bld021547
- 0
- 0
-
- 30363
- <b> Shoes and Accessories </b><br /> <br /> Borrow bridal accessories like your veil from friends or relatives who have recently gotten married. Cruise vintage and second-hand stores for jewellery and look to buy things online. Scour sites like Etsy, Amazon, and Ebay for discount shoes and accessories. If you're buying shoes online, make sure they are refundable. Keep in mind that often retailers will not refund shipping and duty, if you've ordered from out of the country.<br /> <br /> <i>Image courtesy Blush Wedding Photography</i>
- Shoes and Accessories
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Luu_Randhawa_Blush_Wedding_Photography_DSC309121_low-ACCESSORIES-105x105.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Luu_Randhawa_Blush_Wedding_Photography_DSC309121_low-ACCESSORIES.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Luu_Randhawa_Blush_Wedding_Photography_DSC309121_low-ACCESSORIES.jpg
- 550
- 365
- https://weddingbells.ca/planning/13-cost-cutting-ideas-for-everything-from-photography-to-catering/slide/luu_randhawa_blush_wedding_photography_dsc309121_low-accessories/
- luu_randhawa_blush_wedding_photography_dsc309121_low-accessories
- 0
- 0
-
- 127108
- <b>Hair and Makeup</b><br /> <br /> If you aren't able to do your own hair and makeup you can still get a professional look at discount prices. Hire a student in beauty school who needs the apprenticeship hours or look to daily deal sites like Groupon for spa package discounts.<br /> <br /> <i>Image courtesy Rebecca Wood</i>
- Hair and Makeup
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-makeup-105x105.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-makeup.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-makeup.jpg
- 600
- 400
- https://weddingbells.ca/planning/13-cost-cutting-ideas-for-everything-from-photography-to-catering/slide/wedding-cost-cutting-makeup/
- wedding-cost-cutting-makeup
- 0
- 0
-
- 127104
- <b>Honeymoon</b><br /> <br /> Take a staycation and honeymoon in your hometown. Take a few days off work and tour your own city or one close to you. You can splurge on tourist attractions you wouldn't normally go to because you won't be wracking up hotel fees. If you're looking to go away, pay for your wedding expenses with a credit card and accumulate points to use towards your honeymoon. <br /> <br /> <i>Image courtesy iStockphoto</i>
- Honeymoon
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-honeymoon-105x105.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-honeymoon.jpg
- https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wedding-cost-cutting-honeymoon.jpg
- 849
- 565
- https://weddingbells.ca/planning/13-cost-cutting-ideas-for-everything-from-photography-to-catering/slide/hiking-couple/
- hiking-couple
- 0
- 0
well we can’t all afford to pay for that Christine…
I take exception with your suggestion to have a cash bar or provide drink tickets to wedding guests. The Number One Rule of Wedding Etiquette is you never, EVER charge your guests for any aspect of your wedding. You wouldn’t do it in your home. Do not do so at your wedding. It is rude. It is tacky.