10 Ways to Trim Your Wedding Budget

Posted on January 24, 2019 at 10:17 am by Carisa Lockery

We're all on a budget, we get it. Planning a wedding can really add up quickly! Based on our 11 years' experience, here's 10 ways to trim your wedding budget.

“Whatever You’re Drinking” Toasts

Instead of serving champagne only for toasts, ask guests to toast with whatever they’re drinking. If you go with this option, allow a few minutes before the toasts to allow guest to refill their drinks.

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In-Season Flowers

Certain traditional bridal flowers are difficult and expensive to find out of season, like lilies of the valley and peonies. If you’re confused or unsure, you can always ask a florist for advice.

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Favor Place or Escort Cards

Using favors as place or escort cards kills two birds with one stone. Use favors for seating with table numbers by the entrance to the venue or use favors as place cards with guests’ names at the tables.

Off-Season Wedding

Vendors and venues will generally discount rates if you choose a winter date for your wedding as opposed to a summer or fall date.

Limit the Bridal Party

The bigger the bridal party, the more you’ll spend on gifts, flowers and transportation in the long run.

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Minimize the Guest List

To reduce your guest list decide if you wish to invite children (other than immediate family), coworkers and friends’ casual dates.

Something Borrowed

Borrow your wedding jewelry from friends and families as opposed to buying it. This will help reduce your cost and help include someone special in your big day.

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Prioritize

Sit down with your significant other and prioritize areas of your wedding that are important to you. You can then choose to splurge in some areas and not in others.

Samples

Make sure to discuss samples with your make-up artist either through your contract or in person. Have them leave samples of the make-up they use on you, if possible. This will allow for touch ups throughout the night without buying the full size of the product, such as lipstick.

Registry

Instead of registering for plates and kitchen wares, ask guests to donate towards your honeymoon or vendors. Many vendors (Us Included!) allow for their services to be registered for.

About the Author

Carisa Lockery

Thanks for stopping by. I'm so excited that you decided to learn more about me!

First and foremost, I am a wife and mother to 2 boys, Kyle and Mason. They're part of the reason that I continued to pursue my dream of being a business owner. Having the ability to make my own hours and still be present for them is invaluable, and an experience for which I will forever be indebted to my amazing husband.

As a kid, I was always organizing everything. I loved stationary and paper and pens and markers and journals and planners and anything else that allowed me to plan and organize. Trapper Keepers and Lisa Frank? Yes, PLEASE! As I got older, that love for organization became a love for planning, particularly fun things like events. I woke up one day with the thought, “Could I actually make a living doing this?”. I had gone to Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT for my Bachelor's Degree in Communications, so I had a little knowledge about business and how they worked. When the idea began to formulate more and more in my head, I decided to take my education even further and pursue a Master of Business Administration Degree. Right after I earned this degree, I had my first son, so the timing was perfect! I was able to be home with him during the week while my husband worked, and work at night and on the weekends, when most events took place!

More than 10 years later, I still love bringing the idea and concept of a wedding or event into reality. Each one plays out differently, and I love that! It keeps things fresh and exciting! I can't wait to hear from you and learn all about how I can help with your next event!

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