The budget for a wedding can quickly become daunting… And all the expenses that accumulate are sometimes unexpected. So in this article, we offer you some tips to stay within your budget and even save money! First, you should know that the secret to a low-budget wedding is planning in advance. You have to start well in advance because it's a matter of timing! By starting your wedding preparations a year and a half or even two years in advance, you will have more choice and opportunities to get good deals. In this article, you will find the best advice for organizing your wedding in order to save money!
1. Find the perfect reception venue
A place specially made for you
One of the first steps is to find your reception venue, the ideal place that suits you and where you can gather all your guests to celebrate your union. In order to reduce the costs on the rental of your reception venue, do not hesitate to move away from big cities and opt instead for places in small towns, or even villages. This choice will allow you to find places at low prices. This option can also lead you to find an atypical place, a place with character , you will spend less on your decoration thanks to the natural charm of the place.
A great, very innovative and trendy project that can help you greatly on your budget is the rental of a family home or a large garden . There are now platforms for renting large gardens: and why not a garden with a large swimming pool! Find your happiness on the platform: WePeps
Get married all year round
The time of year can also guide you to make big savings. The peak wedding season is during the summer holidays. However, if you decide to get married in the winter , you can update your budget regarding the reception venue. You will have more options, and the same rental that you could not afford on a summer day, at half the price!
You will even have advantages on the rest of your expenses: dress, accessories, decorations… you will have an infinite number of opportunities.
2. Prepare a catered meal
When we organize our wedding, our thoughts go directly to a caterer for the meal. However, this is an option that requires a large part of the budget: between food allergies, restrictions and intolerances, do you think that another option is not possible? But yes! Many alternatives are available to us and can be adapted to all your guests!
Opt for food trucks instead of caterers, they are super trendy and super flexible! You can agree with them to create a menu that can suit all the diets and dietary restrictions of your guests.
One option, which is not negligible, is to favor local artisans and producers . You will gain in quality with fresh and seasonal products and you will please your budget.
What about drinks? Well, let us give you a little tip for your party-loving guests: choose a sparkling wine instead of champagne , a good sparkling wine with similar flavors and a similarly sweet price. :-)
You will see him dancing on the dance floor by your side until the end of the night to celebrate you, the newlyweds, as it should be.
3. Why not be your own seamstress?
Choosing your dress for the big day remains an important step for any woman. However, it is one of the most expensive expenses in preparing your wedding. We offer you lots of little ideas to reduce your costs while remaining resplendent to celebrate your union. Bohemian chic, rustic, princess, mermaid, whatever your tastes or your theme, we guide you so that you can find your happiness!
Craftsmanship, always the best option
An idea that will take you time and learning but that will make you extremely proud on the big day, would be to make your wedding dress . If sewing has always fascinated you, now is the time to get started! And don't hesitate to call on those around you, you surely have a seamstress close to you who is happy to help you.
Another economical tip: choose a ready-to-wear wedding dress and have it altered by a seamstress ! You optimize the assembly and fabric costs at the seamstress while obtaining a dress that will be adapted to your body shape.
The outlet and sales, the bargain corner
The best way to save money on your dress is to think about older collections . In addition, wedding dress brands often have promotions on collections from previous seasons, so the outlet is the perfect option!
When it comes to shoes, get a bargain during the sales ! Whether it's with a luxury brand or a major retailer, you can find that rare gem at an unbeatable price.
It is also possible to rent your wedding dress , many structures offer wedding dress rental for all budgets.
And your other half?
Your other half also deserves advice on how to stay classy without spending astronomical sums on a suit that he will only wear once. Talk to him about ready-to-wear stores for the suit : brands like Jules, Celio, or Asos for e-commerce, offer very good quality suits.
For your more relaxed or rustic weddings: chinos, a beautiful linen shirt and a bow tie will be perfect.
4. The perfect touch to enhance your wedding outfit
Accessories are just as important to create a unique style for your wedding. Our workshop offers handmade wedding jewelry and accessories for all budgets! Designed for the bride and her bridesmaids, from necklaces to earrings to head jewelry, we have created a special small purse selection for you!
Opt for beautiful earrings
We have what you need to enhance your back neckline.
Our sublime hair combs
But do you know about wedding peaks ?
5. Make your place even more sublime
Decorating your reception venue is a task that should not be taken lightly. When your guests arrive at the venue, it is the decoration that will catch their attention first. It is therefore an important step in your organization, which can be done by you to reduce your budget.
The invitations
Before talking about decoration, let's talk about the identity of your wedding and your theme! Even before knowing what decoration to make, it is important that your invitation resembles you and matches your theme. You can find DIY tutorials on the internet, totally free, to make your invitations yourself! You can do the same for your menus, place cards, table plan, etc.
If you are good with computers, you can create digital invitations and send them by email to your guests. As for paper invitations, do not hesitate to give them in person to the guests you see frequently. This way, you will limit the postal costs and it is always a pleasant moment to discover the reaction of those around you to the announcement and the invitation to the big event of your life.
The table, a moment of conviviality
The meal is the convivial moment of the evening, where the guests discuss the wedding with each other, and potentially give their opinion on the choices made by the bride and groom. It is important to unite them and make them feel good at the table.
To get them talking to each other, and also to save paper, replace paper menus with a blackboard on each table, which all your guests can read together. You will save money and you will reap the benefits of conviviality.
For the centerpiece, choose seasonal flowers , which will cost you much less. You can also buy your flowers from a wholesaler and make your own bouquets and arrangements. You will have more choice and you will bring a touch of your personality to your bouquets.
Choosing the placement of tables is always complex, to avoid too many decorations, opt for large tables rather than several small ones. You will thus reduce the costs of decorations such as centerpieces, tablecloths which are more easily found...
And if you want to find decorative gems, head to flea markets and yard sales to find items at rock-bottom prices.
6. Please your guests and your wallet!
Give them the opportunity to create memories
The Photo Booth is a great idea to entertain your guests. A homemade decor, some fun accessories, or even disposable cameras… and you will allow them to create their own memories!
A very lively evening
You always have to find a way to entertain your guests so that they have a good evening! You can plan outdoor games : pétanque, wooden games, etc. This will allow you to bring the guests together around simple and very inexpensive activities.
To avoid hiring a DJ, make your own playlists for the different moments of the reception and ask a friend or family member to take care of the dancing.
Make them happy
If you want to offer a small gift to thank your guests for being by your side on this wonderful day, you can find them, at a low price, a little attention that will please them.
To keep it simple, you can select one gift per couple or per household . Since the quantity is greatly reduced, you can afford to select slightly more expensive products such as a personalized item with the family name and the couple's initials.
If you want everyone to leave with their own little gift , you can make your guests' gifts yourself. You can provide yourself with small objects such as: candle, small plant, candy box to stay traditional, honey jar... And create a personalized label according to your wishes.
We hope that this guide to your wedding on a budget has helped you choose your organization.
Don't hesitate to check out our other blog articles directly in the Blog section of our site to find other tips or inspiration for your wedding!
With love,The Lilac Team 🌸