11 Easy Ways To Save Money on a Wedding
In 2024, the average cost of an American wedding was $33,000. That’s an astronomical price for a party that generally lasts less than a day. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce costs while still planning a memorable event. If you’re looking for how to save money on a wedding, follow these 11 tips and use some of that saved money for life’s other expensive milestones.
1. Choose an Off-Peak Date
Wedding season generally runs from late spring to early fall, with peak months landing in June or September. Weekends, of course, are more coveted than weekdays. If you’re flexible and can choose a date in off-peak months, like December or January, you’ll be able to save money on a venue. Bonus: Your out-of-town guests will also be able to save on flights and hotels if the wedding isn’t held during peak season.
2. Buy a Pre-Owned Wedding Dress
The average cost of a brand new wedding dress is around $2,000 — a sizable chunk of change. But who needs brand new when you can likely find a beautiful pre-owned dress for less? Former brides will often sell their wedding dresses on places like Facebook Marketplace or eBay, and dress shops will sometimes offer discounted prices for pre-owned or last season dresses. Remember: These are gowns that have only been worn once for less than a day — there’s no need to spend thousands of dollars on one.
3. Have the Ceremony and Reception in the Same Place
Holding the ceremony and reception in the same place can cut the cost of paying for two venues — and eliminate the transportation costs associated with shuttling guests between locations.
4. Use a Non-Traditional Venue
Speaking of venues, why shell out big bucks for a fancy hotel or event center when you can hold your ceremony and reception in a park, backyard, or community center? These locations are often free or charge a much lower fee than an elaborate banquet hall.
5. Forget the DJ and Use a Playlist
If good music or dancing is a priority at your wedding, don’t feel obligated to use a DJ. Making your own playlist (or having a trusted friend make you one) ensures that you’ll hear all your favorite songs without spending thousands of dollars on a DJ.
6. Send Digital Invitations
Here’s the reality of sending paper invites: They’re going to hang out on your guests’ refrigerators until after the wedding, at which point they’re going straight in the trash. Do your part for the environment (and your wallet) and opt for digital invites, which are much cheaper than their printed counterparts.
7. Skip Expensive Favors
Forget fancy jars of jam or expensive bottles of wine: Affordable party favors are the way to go if you have a smaller wedding budget. Consider personalized favors like homemade granola or photos of you and your guests.
8. Hire a Photographer for Fewer Hours
Photographers usually offer a variety of wedding packages that range from a few hours to the entire wedding day. Consider the moments where you’d really like to utilize a professional photographer, and have family and friends take photos the rest of the time.
9. Have a Buffet or Family-Style Meal
As long as they’re fed, wedding guests don’t need a full three-course meal. If the food is good, a buffet or family-style meal is just as memorable — and far less expensive.
10. DIY or Borrow Decorations
We all have that one friend or relative who keeps every garland, string of lights, or candle they’ve ever owned. Tap into their stash to see if you can borrow some decorations, or figure out what you can DIY with a simple YouTube tutorial.
11. Get Discounted Flowers
Speaking of decorations, did you know that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on flowers? Places like Costco and Sam’s Club offer bulk orders of roses and other flowers that are perfectly suited for a wedding at a fraction of the cost a boutique flower shop might charge. Just be sure to avoid the wedding section and instead check out their regular floral inventory.