Photography: Ben Q Photography
Your wedding day may be considered the most important day of your life. However, it may also be the most expensive. It's easy to want everything, and yes, you can have it but you just have to work smart. These eight tips can help save you a pretty penny with enough balance to book a nice honeymoon!
Hire a wedding planner
Believe it or not, getting the help of a wedding planner is going to save you tons of money. He or she knows exactly what to ask for when striking a good deal with wedding suppliers. This saves you loads of stress and more time to focus on other details like the dress and seating plan.
Consider non-peak periods
Tying the knot during the high season like Valentine's Day and other festive periods can cost over 20 per cent more. Consider holding your wedding during the off season on significant dates like your birthday or anniversary. Check with hotels and other venues if they offer special rates during this time. Additionally, you may want to hold your wedding on a weekday or throw a luncheon instead of a dinner reception.
DIY stationery and favours
There's nothing we like more than something self-made. Now with free or affordable printables on the internet, it's possible to create your own line of wedding stationery which you can be printed for cheap at the professional print shop. And instead of purchasing wedding favours, how about baking a little sweet treat like cupcakes, jams or cookies – people will appreciate that more.
Go for a rustic floral set-up
A large chunk of the wedding budget is usually set aside for floral decorations. Have a think about reworking your theme so that it allows for a rustic set-up that you can do yourself using an affordable selection of flowers. Purchase directly from a wholesaler and order varieties that are in season, which are much cheaper than specially imported ones. One way of preventing wastage is to invite guests to take home potted arrangements that you can personalise with a Thank You note.
Find a cake substitute
An elaborate multi-tiered cake can cost up to four-digits. Knock the price down by half with cheaper alternatives like a creative cupcake- or donut-tower topped with a simple sponge cake for the cutting ceremony. Accessorise with flowers, ribbons, flags and fruits and it's ready for the cameras!
Seek the expertise of loved ones
Friends and family are always happy to pitch in the wedding prep. Don't be afraid to ask! Photo enthusiasts can assist by taking simple posed photos of the guests, so that the professional photographer can focus on artistic shots. The baking aficionado can be in charge of whipping up the desserts and edible favours. The creative ones can lead in the decorations and prop making. In return, don't forget to extend your gratitude with a small gift or cash.
Hire the photographer's assistant
Wedding photography can take up to one-tenth of the wedding expense. You can save a few bucks by asking newbie photographers to shoot your wedding, or book the photographer's assistant who may be just as good as his senior, but much cheaper.
Shorten the vendors' hours
Most wedding vendors charge by the hour, so instead of booking the videographer, photographer, and makeup artist for a full day, consider using them for a shorter period of time. Purposefully plan your program in such a way that the solemnisation, bouquet-throwing and speeches can be towards the start or middle of the itinerary so the cameramen may leave after that. The dinner pictures can be taken by your novice friends. Once you've got a full-face of makeup on, you only need to touch it up yourself – I'm sure someone in the crowd knows how to stick on falsies if yours fall off!
