It’s no secret that weddings are expensive, but most people don’t realize just how much until they start researching for their own wedding and get hit with major sticker shock. For some, the wedding day is an excuse to splurge on the party of their dreams, but for many it is a stressful time of trying to fit a big event in a small budget. Regardless of where you stand, there are a few universal strategies you can implement to get the best bang out of your buck and to have a beautiful, memorable wedding day without going over budget.

Research and budget for hidden expenses

Despite careful budgeting, many couples still find themselves going over budget when all is said and done. There are several reasons this might be the case, but one of the biggest culprits are the unplanned-for “hidden costs” of wedding planning. Just as the actual price of buying a car is often more than the sticker price, wedding rentals and services often have added expenses outside of the listed price. The most basic of these are the sales and use taxes required by the state. The exact tax rate will vary from state to state, and even from county to county and city to city, so be sure to research the area you are purchasing in to be able to budget appropriately. Beyond taxes, many rentals and services have various fees in addition to the base price that can quickly add up if you’re not paying attention. This could include fees for delivery and setup, venue security, cake cutting, corkage, valet services, and more. To avoid being blindsided when the bill comes in, ask about what is included and what is additional when interviewing prospective vendors and plan your budget accordingly.

Spend time to save money

You’ve heard the idiom “time is money.” It is often used to emphasize the importance of spending your time wisely. This is true in wedding planning as more time spent often correlates to less money spent. When looking for a venue and vendors, take your time. Do your research and compare and contrast the pricing and inclusions of each vendor to make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck. Alternatively, set extra time aside for a little DIY. Creating your own centerpieces or arranging your own flower bouquets may take some time, but what you spend in hours of effort and dedication you save in cold hard cash. 

Book off-season dates

Everyone loves a 4pm wedding on a cool Saturday in October, but since everyone loves it, it is in high demand. You know what high demand means? High cost. According to TheKnot.com, October is the most popular wedding month, accounting for 17% of all weddings in 2024, followed closely by September, June, and May. In stark contrast, January held only 2% of 2024’s weddings. Following the principles of supply and demand, wedding costs during the peak season (late spring – early fall) tend to be higher, and off-season (late fall – early spring) wedding costs tend to be lower. The same concept applies to days of the week with Saturdays being generally more expensive than Fridays, Sundays, and especially weekdays. If the specific season or date you get married is not high on your list of importance, choosing an off-season, midweek wedding date is a great way to shave hundreds off your bill.

Shop in-season food

Have you ever noticed that the prices of fruits and vegetables in the grocery store fluctuate throughout the year? Perhaps you’ve stared aghast at an $8 “personal size” watermelon in March, only to see boxes of huge watermelons for $4 in July? This is because produce is cheaper in-season. What does this mean for your wedding? It means that building your wedding menu around ingredients that are in season can greatly reduce your overall catering bill. Caterers base their pricing on a number of factors, including labor costs, transportation, guest count, and service style, but their fee is also adjusted based on actual food costs. This concept can also be applied to florals as local, in-season blooms are easier and cheaper to source. Choosing local flowers and ingredients is also better for the environment, so you can save money and the planet at the same time!

Look for all-inclusive deals

It may be tempting to handpick each and every vendor for that completely customized wedding experience, but that is not often the most cost-effective decision. Just as you can bundle and save on insurance or your phone bill, choosing all-inclusive packages can help you cut costs and reduce hassle. This can look like booking a venue with an in-house decor package and affiliate caterer, it could look like a caterer that provides bartending services and fine china, or it could look like a planner that also does day-off coordinating and honeymoon planning. You may not get exactly what you want booking this way, but what you sacrifice in customizability you gain in savings.

Browse rentals and secondhand

It comes as no surprise that planning a wedding comes with a long list of people to hire and things to buy. The latter can be especially long if you plan to arrange most of your wedding yourself. Unfortunately, if you are purchasing from big box stores, you have little to no flexibility on what you pay for each item, and larger luxury items can cost a pretty penny. If you want to cut the cost of your long shopping list, it is likely worth looking into renting and/or buying secondhand. Renting large items like tables, chairs, and dance floors is a no brainer as rental fees are a mere fraction of the purchase cost of these items. Plus, you don’t have to worry about storing or reselling these items after the fact. Renting can also be a great option if you want luxury items like fine china, crystal glasses, or velvet tablecloths at an affordable cost. If you don’t find what you need at the rental shop, become part of your local wedding resale groups and attend bridal resale events. These are great places to pick up decor, signage, silk florals, and even wedding dresses.