How to save money planning a wedding...
After 10 years with my SO we decided it was time to tie the proverbial knot and through this process we learned a lot about the wedding industry and (hopefully) we will never need to go through this process again. Wedding prices can range drastically so I’m not going to tell you how much to spend, but I will share some of the best ways that me and my partner kept our costs down without compromising on our vision.
Start as Early as Possible
By starting the process early we were able to lock in vendors and, in some cases, snag preferred pricing. Some wins here were:
- The venue we went with still had the option for consumption‑based bar pricing when we booked. By the time we were a few months out, they had removed that option for new couples. Booking early saved us thousands of dollars.
- Several vendors offered “off‑season” incentives for couples willing to put down deposits far in advance. A little scary, yes, but worth it in the long run.
Compare Venue Quotes Apples to Apples
For some reason venues can choose the most confusing ways to price their services. When planning you’ll run into a mix of: base venue fee, cost per guest, bar packages, minimum consumption, minimum head counts, surcharges beyond certain guest counts, rentals for tables/chairs/linens, cake cutting fees, etc.
The best way to save money is to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples across venues. Give each venue the same headcount, list of “must‑have” services (bar, cocktail hour food, furniture, etc.), and push them for as close to an all‑in quote as possible.
Here’s a real example from our spreadsheet:
- Venue A: $2,000 venue fee + ~$70/guest for meal
- Venue B: $4,000 venue fee + ~$60/guest for meal
At face value, Venue A seems like the obvious choice if you’ve got fewer than 200 guests… until you factor in the hidden extras:
Venue A:
- Required bar package purchase ($20/guest for unlimited wine during dinner).
- Cocktail hour: charcuterie only available from their kitchen → $200/platter x 4 = $800.
- Tables, chairs, and linens all charged separately.
Venue B:
- Bar had the option for consumption pricing with just a $1,500 minimum.
- Cocktail hour charcuterie for half the cost of Venue A.
- Tables, chairs, linens included.
When we totaled everything, Venue B — on paper the “pricier” option — ended up being cheaper overall for our headcount and requirements. A painful but important lesson: don’t trust the headline numbers.
You Can’t Beat Free!
Start with local Facebook groups where couples are unloading wedding décor. We scored vases, centerpieces, and some really creative DIY projects for nothing more than the time to pick them up.
Online marketplaces (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji) are goldmines too. Lightly used dresses, suits, signage, and even wedding favors get listed at a fraction of retail.
Don’t Be Afraid to DIY
If you’ve got the time and creativity, DIY can save you a ton. There are endless tutorials online. We built our own DIY photo booth for fun candids and it was not only cheaper than renting but way more personal.
Decor, signage, seating charts — if you enjoy hands‑on projects, you can cut 50–75% off what rental companies will charge.
Skip the Extras
A few “traditional” line‑items you can comfortably ditch:
- Wedding favors: Most guests don’t remember what they got. A donation to a charity in your guests’ names is often more meaningful.
- Wedding transportation: Renting a limo for three hours can easily be $1,000+. Ask a friend, borrow a car, or just enjoy a casual walk.
- The giant cake: A small “cutting cake” for photos + sheet cakes in the kitchen saved us hundreds.
- Full open bar: Instead of a $70/guest upsell, offer a couple signature cocktails, beer, wine, and soft drinks. Honestly, your guests won’t care.
Consider a Smaller Guest List
This one stings, but it’s the fastest way to save thousands. Every cut impacts venue size, catering, invitations, rentals, etc. Ask yourself: “Would I take this person out for a $100+ dinner any other night of the year?” If the answer is no, maybe they don’t need to be on the list.
Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate
Vendors expect it. Especially if you’re booking off‑season or bundling multiple services (DJ + photobooth, or photographer + video). We had multiple vendors shave 10–15% off once we asked. Remember, the worst they can say is no.
In Conclusion
Weddings are expensive — there’s no sugar‑coating it — but they don’t have to bankrupt you.
By:
- Starting early,
- Comparing venues apples‑to‑apples,
- Leveraging “free or cheap” décor,
- DIY‑ing what makes sense,
- Skipping extras,
- Keeping the guest list meaningful, and
- Negotiating with vendors…
…we were able to have the celebration we wanted without draining every last cent.
TL;DR: The biggest savings came not from one giant cut but by chipping away at dozens of small line‑items. Stay flexible, get creative, and focus on what actually matters — you and your partner celebrating with the people who mean the most.