No one wants to skimp on their wedding, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be smart about where and how you spend your money.
Go digital
Even if you don’t go completely digital with your stationery, it might be worth considering doing your Save the Dates and RSVPs electronically rather than spend on more paper stationery. More and more couples are using engagement photos for their Save the Dates anyway so it might be more worthwhile to save on stationery and postage costs for these, especially if you’re sending out a formal invitation anyway. While you’re at it, it’s nearly easier for guests to RSVP by text or email, which will save you printing RSVP cards, and paying for postage.
Don’t hang around
Try to keep your wedding day schedule tight. Vendors such as photographers and transport services charge by the hour so rather than having a lull in time between the ceremony and reception that will make you spend more for extra time, better to get to your venue as soon as possible. Come out of the ceremony, say hi to everyone, take your few ceremony photographs and then hop in the car. The venue is where you’ll spend the rest of your day anyway so why waste any more time (or money) waiting around?
Go for kids' meals
If you’re having any children at your wedding, try and negotiate with your venue about kids’ meals rather than paying the full amount for an adult-size meal for them. It may not seem like much but think about how much you would generally spend on children’s meals compared to how much you’re paying per person at your wedding? Even if you have three or four children, you could easily save a couple of hundred euro. Not to mention the fact that the children will probably be grateful for the fish and chips rather than the expensive fillet of beef or darn of salmon.
Double up on flowers
There are a few ways to spend your flower budget smartly, from choosing in-season flowers to adding some foliage. However, one of our favourite ways to be smart about what you spend on your flowers is taking the flowers from your ceremony and use them at your reception. Think about it, once your ceremony is over, you’ll all be gone and the flowers will be left there unused. Plan this in advance if possible so your florist knows the arrangements are being used for both events and make sure you have a transport plan for the flowers. Here are some ways to best use your ceremony flowers at your reception venue.
Opt for alternative cakes
A magnificent three-tiered wedding cake with intricate details and decorations will look amazing, but no more amazing than some fabulous cupcake towers, dessert tables or even naked cakes. There are plenty of alternatives to look at when it comes to your cake, whether you want the centrepiece look or not. They can work out significantly less expensive and sometimes they are better received by your guests, especially if you’re incorporating a bit of variety with a dessert table.
Watch out for hidden costs
You can’t always avoid them unfortunately, but do keep an eye out for what you spend on hidden charges. They creep up and decimate your budget before you even know what has happened. Pay particular care when it comes to packages, to see what’s included and what will be extra. Check the cost of late fees for suppliers too. If you’re aware of the dangers of extra charges, you will be able to avoid them.
Check out travelling vendors
Not all your wedding supplies have to be sourced locally. Dublin prices in particular can be on a higher level but just because you’re getting married there, doesn’t mean your photographer, your cake, your flowers, and everything in between has to come from there. Many wedding suppliers travel nationwide and as with most things, slightly ‘off the beaten track’ is often more reasonably priced than city prices. You may also find your dream vendor if you cast your net further out than your own county.
Be flexible with your date
If you’re date doesn’t have anything significant about it, you might consider change it. There are often significant price differences for peak months (usually April-September) compared to the winter season. There is also a further difference if you’re getting married between Sunday and Thursday, as well as certain less desirable days of the year, such as Friday the 13th. Have a look at what your venue is offering for off-peak times and see if it’s worth your while.
Look at bringing your own wine
Depending on the wine you choose, the deal you get and the price of corkage in your chosen venue, it might work out cheaper for you to buy in your own wine for your wedding rather than put additional money into your venue for wine and Prosecco. Have a look at what your wedding package would cost if you took out the complimentary wine, the toasting drink and the Prosecco on arrival, and then get a quote for how much the same amount of alcohol would be from a wine cellar, plus the corkage fee. You might even be able to negotiate the corkage fee out of the final bill.
Order your stationery together
Decide on what stationery you want to include from your stationer. Do you want Save the Dates, thank you cards, place names, programmes? It’s much better to spend time finalising what you want from your stationer and make one bulk order rather than go back and ask for more. Most vendors offer discounts the more you get but it only applies all in one go.
- Jenny Darmody
Image credits: Bride and groom: Johnny Was | Kids table: Mon Cheri Bridal | Naked cake: Mallory Renee Photography | Save the date: Something Turquoise | Stationery: Knots & Kisses Stationery