Yahoo Finance 7 Ways To Cut Back on Wedding Expenses — Before You Put Down Deposits
Planning a wedding is a magical time — but it’s also a huge temptation to splurge on anything from lavish decor to fancy venues. While a major life event like this requires significant spending, you also want to keep an eye on your budget.
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According to experts, you don’t have to limit yourself entirely, but cutting back on certain expenses — even before you put a deposit down — can save you a world of regret down the road. GOBankingRates spoke with Colleen Carswell, wedding and events expert and creator of DIY Wedding Planning Made Easy, and Jared Benoff, certified destination wedding travel advisor at Vacationeeze, to discuss some ways you can save on your wedding.
Be Mindful of Your Guest Count
Before deciding on any wedding vendor, Carswell said couples will want to know two key things that will massively affect their wedding budget: guest count and date.
“A smaller guest count means more flexibility, less rentals, less food, less tables so less centerpieces, less favors, less send-off items…and the list goes on,” she explained.
Consider Dates and Location
For your date, there are peak and non-peak times of the year, and these vary by location. “For example, if you’re in the south, like Florida, June and July are actually off-peak because it’s so miserably hot,” said Carswell.
But in places more northern, she explained those are prime, or peak dates, meaning they carry a much higher price tag. “The day of the week will also heavily impact your budget for the same reason.”
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She explained that weekdays are typically less in demand so venues and vendors might offer them at a lower rate, while Saturday evenings are typically prime time for a wedding so they will cost more.
“It all comes down to one very simple economics principle: supply and demand,” she said. “If you choose off-peak dates, times and days, you’ll have a larger pool of wedding vendors to choose from because they won’t all be booked like they might be on a Saturday in October.”
Pay Attention To What You DIY
According to Carswell, it’s important to know that sometimes DIYing certain elements of the wedding — such as centerpieces, favors and decor — can actually end up costing you more money than buying or renting those items.
“It will also cost more of your time,” she said. “So you have to assess ‘why’ you’re doing these things. Is it to save money? If so, think through all the various expenses associated with the project before you begin and weigh it against the cost of hiring, buying or renting.”
On the other hand, Benoff said you can often DIY on smaller details. “Table numbers? Fun cocktail napkins? Welcome bags? Think about how you can DIY those to save on expenses,” he advised.
He said these last-minute items can add up quickly, so think about if you can rent them (i.e. table numbers), buy them online (i.e. Etsy) or do a big Costco run.
Focus on the Focal Points
“I always recommend that couples think about the focal points of their wedding events and where all the eyes will be, like food, music, tables closest to the dance floor,” said Benoff. “Don’t waste money on lavish decor on the periphery of your venue!”
Book Early
According to Benoff, you should prioritize your most expensive vendors and book them early. “The earlier you book, the more likely you will have choices and options available to you.”
Think about your venue, music, and photo/video first and then ‘smaller’ vendors later once you’ve secured those primary vendors.
Don’t Be Afraid To Negotiate
“It’s OK to attempt to negotiate within reason,” said Benoff.
This is especially true if you’re compromising on something. “The vendor can always say no or you can ask for additional inclusions,” he said.
Consider the True Costs of Venues
“A lot of budget-savvy couples find a ‘space’ to have a wedding for a really low price — think an open field,” Carswell explained. “They tour all the wedding venues and see the higher price tag and think ‘oh, I can get this other space for way cheaper.'”
However, she noted that what they won’t learn until later is that the rentals, staffing, cutlery, tents, bathrooms, electricity, etc. all add up and oftentimes become more expensive than the venue alternatives they turned down to save money.
To save money, time and energy in this area, Carwell suggested looking for venues that provide all the rentals — tables, chairs, linens — and the staff to set up as well as plenty of pre-wedding time for setup.
“I once worked at a venue that served corporate and wedding clients and only allowed a 2-hour turnover between events – -that tight and rushed timeline is going to end up costing a lot!”
In addition to the above, she also recommended aiming for a venue that gives the flexibility to bring in a caterer of choice. “This allows couples to shop around for prices that better meet their budget and cuisine desires.”
If the goal is to save money, before signing a contract with the caterer, she said to make sure they provide the staffing, plates, silverware, ice, etc. “If they don’t, price out everything and compare to make sure you’re staying under budget.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Ways To Cut Back on Wedding Expenses — Before You Put Down Deposits
