I’m a bride – how I’ll save thousands on my wedding by making 11 simple swaps

WEDDING days are traditionally considered one of the most special and memorable days in a person’s lifetime. Even though weddings are an extremely big deal, they don’t have to break the bank. According to The Knot, average weddings in the United States cost around $28,000. Couples who are getting ready to start their lives together […]

WEDDING days are traditionally considered one of the most special and memorable days in a person’s lifetime.

Even though weddings are an extremely big deal, they don’t have to break the bank.

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Brides on a budget have several options to lean on when saving money on wedding planning[/caption]

According to The Knot, average weddings in the United States cost around $28,000.

Couples who are getting ready to start their lives together don’t necessarily want to go into debt trying to plan a perfect ceremony.

Luckily, there are tons of smart money-saving swaps for brides to lean on while planning a wedding on a budget.

Using these tips might just help you save thousands of dollars.

No plus-ones allowed

As uncomfortable as this might sound, it might be time to let your wedding guests know that they’re not allowed to bring a plus-one.

Plus-one invites should be designated for guests that are already married or engaged.

Destination weddings save money

One of the smartest options couples can lean on to save money is planning a destination wedding.

Although it might be easy to assume that having a destination wedding would be more expensive, it turns out it’s not.

Destination weddings mean having a smaller guest list, utilizing all-inclusive packages, and enjoying your honeymoon in the same location.

Skip the save-the-dates

Skipping out on save-the-date cards will also come in handy for couples who are trying to save a little more money.

Sending save-the-date cards is a sweet way to let your loved ones know about your wedding date, but those pieces of cardstock aren’t exactly the cheapest thing ever.

Alternatively, sending digital save-the-date cards via email can be super inexpensive and sometimes even free.

Have an early wedding

If you decide to host your wedding ceremony in the morning or afternoon, it can win you major brownie points with your wedding venue owners.

Your morning or afternoon booking allows the venue to book a wedding in the evening slot after your ceremony is over.

If you’re willing to schedule an earlier wedding, the owners of your venue might offer you an incredible discount as a way of saying “thank you.”

Have a weekday wedding

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Weekday weddings aren’t very common, but they have proven to be financially beneficial[/caption]

If you decide to get married on a weekday, it will benefit you financially.

It’s more common to get married on a Saturday or Sunday, but you can save up to 25% on your venue booking if you choose to get married on a weekday.

Use a local florist with bigger blooms

As of now, the average cost of flowers for a typical wedding lands somewhere around $2,300.

Getting your flowers from a local florist can save you a lot of money.

If you request bigger blooms, you’ll need fewer flowers which will also keep your costs low.

Use a rental wedding dress

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You can’t keep rental wedding dresses after your big day, but this route will save you money[/caption]

Wedding dresses are generally around $1,800 apiece these days.

Renting your wedding dress or keeping your eyes peeled for discounted overstock wedding dresses might be your best bet.

Restaurant catering and food trucks save money

It turns out it costs around $75 to feed each individual at your wedding reception.

The best way to handle this is to skip full-course meals and buffets.

Instead, you’ll want to hire a restaurant to cater your reception or book a food truck to serve your favorite foods for the day.

Simple wedding cakes are cheaper

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Simple cakes with embellishments look expensive, but they’re not always too pricey[/caption]

Wedding cakes range in price anywhere between $150 – $1000. The average cost of a wedding cake is closer to $350 though.

The best way you can save money on wedding cakes is to order a plain and simple cake, embellished with fresh fruit.

The cake will look fancier than it costs if you choose to go this route.

Signature cocktails are cheaper than open bars

Alcohol is always one of the most expensive things to handle on a wedding day, but having an open bar costs around $7,350.

Serving each guest one or two signature cocktails on the big day will make a huge financial difference.

Skip the professional photographer

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Skipping professional photographers is a major money-saving hack for couples[/caption]

Professional wedding photographers typically charge around $5,000 – $10,000 per event.

If you’re willing to hire a photography student or recent graduate to film your wedding, you could save a lot of money.

Film and photography students charge a lot less money than professionals.

Encouraging your family, friends, and loved ones to take pictures throughout the wedding is also another smart way to skip out on professional photographers.

The pictures and videos from your guests will be a lot more casual, but they’ll also provide tons of nostalgia in the future.