Organizing a wedding is exciting and overwhelming, all at once: There are so many facets to arrange (checklists!), so many vendors to book and guest lists to manage, so many decisions to make about design, florals, invitations, the ceremony, and more! Both overwhelmed and pressed for time, many couples worry about out-of-control costs. But with some careful planning and creative thinking, you can have the wedding of your dreams without emptying your bank account or losing your mind. The trick is to find little shortcuts that will help you organize, save, and leave time to spare from your to-do list so you can still relish the experience and excitement of planning for a day that you (almost) never forget. These 12 wedding planning hacks allow you to do just that with simple, helpful and actionable tricks meant to reduce your stress and your costs so you can make the important stuff (ie. having a party to celebrate your love with your nearest and dearest) the focus.
1. Make a Budget and Stick to It Wedding
One of the most basic and powerful productivity hacks is to save time and money with well-written budgeting from day one. Before you get swept up dreaming about elaborate decorations or gourmet catering, determine how much you can — realistically — spend. First and foremost, come up with a target number, then work backwards to breakdown your budget by categories, like venue, attire, catering, photography, entertainment, flowers and incidentals. Not everything needs to be perfect, be sure to focus on the details of your wedding that matter more to you and your partner. “If what you really want is to have every moment of your wedding captured for posterity in professional photographs, then spend more of your budget on a good photographer, and less in areas that may not be as significant to you, such as favors or decor,” suggests Olsen. Budgeting tools, or apps that let you record and track all of your expenses the minute you make them, could help you avoid unpleasant surprises down the road. Revisiting your budget often helps keep you on check and makes decisions faster, since you already have an idea of how much you can afford to spend with each purchase. This targeted financial planning helps eliminate stress, saves time by limiting how much time is spent second-guessing decisions, and keeps you from spending more than you should (something that causes a lot of wedding-related anxiety).
2. Opt for an Off-Peak Season or Day
A lot has to do with when you plan your big day. A lot of couples go straight for the summer or early fall weekends, when venues and vendors can charge the most because that’s when they are in the highest demand. Many couples are also able to get a hefty discount on their venue by opting for a nonpeak season (like late fall, winter or early spring) instead of a Saturday. Venues are generally more likely to be flexible with pricing during these slower months, and may offer more than expected for the same wedding budget. Plus, your planning process just goes more smoothly when you’re not competing for options, meaning less stress and less last minute change of plans. This flexible timing is not only kinder on the bank, but it also means you can have your proverbial pick when it comes to venue, photographer and caterer, and far more relaxed, less pressured planning process.
3. Simplify Your Guest List
Number of Guests Invited One of the aspects that affects your budget and the complexity of your planning is the quantity of guests you plan to invite. Every extra person is extra food, facilities need to be bigger, more invitations, and often extra favors or seating placements. With the meticulous pairing down of the guest list to just your nearest and dearest, costs are cut tenfold. With fewer guests, you’re free to have a smaller, more intimate commitment ceremony, making invitations, parking and hotel management a less cumbersome task. This doesn’t involve giving up reveling in your special day — it’s about prioritizing those who really matter to you. In fact, a shorter guest list can free you up to choose a unique spot that needs to receive fewer guests than a huge, impersonal hall.
4. DIY Invitations and Decorations
There’s no reason why you can’t embrace some do it yourself invites and decor and save some cash and have your wedding more to your tastes. These days, you can get sophisticated invitations with sleek printing and luxe materials, without ever paying top dollar thanks to an array of online templates and low-cost print options. Fonts, colours and wording can all be customised without having to pay for a designer. DIY décor projects—such as homemade centerpieces, signage, or favors— give you free reign to drive costs and creativity. There are other ways to keep costs down, by shopping at craft stores or by using seasonal flowers or other items that are being repurposed. Any time that you put into these projects will be what saves you money and adds that special touch to your big day. But to prevent last-minute panicking, leave plenty of time to create your DIY tasks and recruit a friend or family member who you know likes to craft.
5. Hire Multi-Tasking Vendors
It’s the best way to simplify your planning and lower expenses by hiring vendors who do more than one thing. For instance, a DJ may also work as an emcee, or some photographers might also provide videography packages. Getting all the services as a bundle also can add up to a lower price than if you were to hire individual vendors for each role. This makes it easy to manage vendors, less people you have to deal with, less time you have to communicate and coordinate. Also, a multi-tasking vendor likely has a greater understanding of the big picture and that can make your wedding day more organized and seem more seamless. Poll the vendors about package deals or any other deals they might offer.
6. Choose a Smaller Cake (or no Cake at all) or Other Treats
Wedding cakes are not cheap, especially if you have fancy designs or multiple tiers in mind. Rather than getting a large, beautifully designed cake, go for a small display cake and surround that with a few more inexpensive non-cake desserts, such as cupcakes, cookies or a dessert bar. This is not only cost-effective but it also offers guests options and can create a more memorable dessert experience. You might also bring in sweets such as the homemade favorites, pastries from places like, or other specialties from local vendors that are cheaper than the bakery. With some creative planning of the dessert menu, it can be expensive-champagne-day worthy for much less.
7. Rent or Borrow Outfits and Accessories
Wedding attire, particularly dresses and suits, can be one of the biggest costs. Try borrowing from loved ones or friends, or renting gowns and tuxedos and accessories to save money on your attire. Many rental services carry higher-end choices for a tiny fraction of the purchase price. This easy hack not only saves you money, it also helps eliminate some stress and time trying on a “perfect” ensemble. Renting also offers the option to pick clothes, accessories, and shoes that you might not be able to afford otherwise. When borrowing, please take care of things and show your thanks with a little something thoughtful.
8. Simplify Your Menu
Catering costs can balloon, especially with a fine dining setup or pricier ingredients. Streamline your menu by selecting seasonal and local items as well as cutting down the number of courses, and you can save without compromising flavor or guest experience. Instead of a plated dinner, think about doing a buffet or family-style meal to reduce the number of service staff you need. For a more laid-back wedding, food trucks or a buffet-style setup can also be a fun and affordable addition. Share your budget with the caterer so they can recommend inexpensive options that fit your theme.
9. Go the Virtual Route for Invitations and RSVPs
Paper invitations and physical RSVP cards are additional costs, and take time to put together and mail. Try digital invites and RSVP which are green and frugal. Online invitation services provide gorgeous customizable templates and the ability to track RSVPs automatically, so you can avoid spending time following up guests. Though you may have some faces you’d like to reach through printed invites, a blend of digital and paper invites can be a savvy balance. This method saves postage, price of printing and manual efforts to keep tracking of it so that you concentrate on additional items.
10. Limit Alcohol Options
One of the most costly parts of a wedding reception can be open bars with large drink menus. Properties, rights and interests There are five types of property, rights and interests that can be divided or classified pursuant to a prenup. Another is to choose only a few alcohol options like beer, wine, and a signature cocktail, instead of a complete bar. It costs less the drinks themselves and the bartending. You might also offer a cash bar for some or all beverages (this again depends on your guests and your wedding vibe). Alternatively, cutting-costs measures such as a pre-reception cocktail hour with limited drinks and moving to a non-alcoholic reception can also do the trick.
11. Book Vendors Early and Negotiate
By locking in your vendors early, it ensures not only they are available, but can often be utilized at lower rates. There a lot of vendors that will give you a discount if you book early or they are more willing to negotiate if they know for sure when you plan to get married. When it comes to contracts, do not hesitate to request a bundled price, a discount or extra services thrown in free of charge. Also, a little flexibility on vendors you’re considering or dates you’ll accept can lead to opportunities for more competitive pricing as well. This proactive approach saves you time from the late-minute scrambling and can be advantageous from a financial standpoint.
12. Rope in your Friends and Family
Finally, do NOT discount the power of your personal banner. Friends and family can provide you with a range of services such as photography, decorating and music to help you with your planning. Many people love being a part of a wedding in meaningful ways and are happy to donate their skills. Just make sure to set clear expectations and offer thanks so as not to be misunderstood. It’s not only cost effective, but it adds such depth to your wedding experience through the participation of others in your life.
When you add in these twelve wedding planning hacks, it’ll make it that much easier to control your time and budget, and you can spend more time being happy and excited about the celebration! Every hack is intended to simplify, minimise stress and reduce the cost, so you can get the wedding you want, that truly represents you and cares for the things you value. After all, the celebration of the love of two people is the focus of any wedding day, and with these ideas, you can create a beautiful and lasting memory without undue stress or cost.
