After the wedding ceremony traditionally everyone heads over to the wedding reception to dance, enjoy good food and drinks and most importantly to celebrate the lovely newlyweds. The reception can be just as expensive as the wedding ceremony if not more. The wedding reception is a big part of the bride and grooms wedding day however there is no need to go into debt over it. Follow these tips to help you stay on budget for your big day.
Prioritize your wedding costs
For your big day there are some things every bride and groom wants and our not willing to compromise one. The major items for most weddings are the dress/tuxedo, the photographer, location and entertainment. If you budget according to these priorities you should be able to save a lot of money overall on your reception. Download our Wedding Checklist and take 60 seconds to figure out your top priority items!
Consider package deals
Contrary to popular belief doing everything yourself is not always the cheapest way to go we it comes to your wedding. When planning your reception be sure to inquire about package deals that your venue offers you may be surprised at how much money you can actually save.
Attend wedding shows
The National Wedding Shows are a great place to get ideas and bargains for your big day. Many suppliers offer exclusive discounts for attending.
Off-season discounts
If you are looking for a less than traditional wedding opt to have your wedding and reception during the week, this is a guaranteed money saver. A Thursday evening reception in October at a warm and toasty venue can cost less than a third of what a Saturday wedding in July will cost at the same venue.
DIY your reception decorations
One of the best ways to save money is to DIY decorations and enlist your talented friends and family to help make your day special. Our Pinterest board has some great ideas, and we’d love if you shared some with us!
Reuse your flowers
Flowers can be very expensive so save money by using your ceremony flowers at your reception too. Smaller flowers can be used as table decorations and wedding favors can double up as place cards as well.
Look for discounted venues
The wedding and reception venue is typically the most expensive part of the entire wedding. Look for places that aren’t marketed as wedding venues to host your reception, such as at a local hall or private club. You’ll save money, and once decorated it will look like the top of the line wedding venue.
Stay focused and organized
It is very easy to get distracted and frazzled when planning your wedding but in order to have a successful day do not rush into making any major purchases. Also choose your colors and or theme for your wedding first so when you are out shopping you will know what to look for. Keep track of whatever you spend throughout the entire wedding planning process.
Slash your guest list
The easiest way to stay on budget is to cut your guest list so if your money is tight then choose who you want to share your big day with wisely. Consider keeping the list short and simple. If you haven’t spoken to them in over a year, they’re non-essential. Try to work out only inviting super close friends and immediate family.
Budget for a photographer
Photography is an essential part of the wedding and reception. You want your photographer to capture your big day and create memories that will last you and your family a lifetime. Be sure to set aside the right amount of money to make sure you have the best photographer for your big day.
We all know planning a dream wedding can be very costly however if you are flexible and try these money saving tips you are sure to have a cost efficient and fabulous wedding reception.
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