Filed under Jacksonville Living on October 15th, 2008:
7 Ways to Save on Your Wedding
With some statistics that show average wedding costs now nearing $30,000 in the United States, couples in love and getting ready to walk down that aisle likely need to come up with some money savings strategies for the big day. When the right moves are made, there are easy ways to save money on wedding costs without hampering the quality of the affair.
Photo by: Kim’n'Cris Knight
Here are seven great ideas for saving money on wedding costs without sacrificing memories in the process:
1. Find an Affordable Location
A wedding and reception do not have to be held at the biggest hotel or in the fanciest church in Jacksonville to be spectacular. If you’re looking for ways to save money on a wedding, consider using the city’s natural beauty as the backdrop for your affair. Try a local park with a beautiful setting or if you live near a beach, could you ask for better scenery? Also, you might want to check with your Jacksonville apartments on renting out the clubhouse for a reception.
2. Handle the Invitations Yourself
You can save a ton of money by using your own printer and high quality paper to create your own invitations. Or if you don’t want to skimp on the invitations, at least make your own “save the date” cards. The USPS store offers a great tool for creating custom postcards.
3. Get Help with Food
A lot of brides and grooms are turning their big day into a display of family culinary arts. There is nothing wrong with catering the affair personally. In fact, if there are good cooks on either side of the family, chances are the fare will be even better. The rehearsal dinner could easily be made and hosted at a friend of family member’s Jacksonville home or apartment.
4. Create your own Arrangements and Centerpieces
You can cut down a huge expense by crafting your own bouquets and boutonnieres. Flowers are usually one of the most expensive items at a wedding. Try finding a location with natural beauty so you can avoid having to purchase a lot of flowers. Or create arrangements without flowers.
5. Make the Favors
There are tons of wedding favor ideas on the internet available to help brides and grooms make their own wedding day favors. While this is a small expense in the grand scheme of things, it can add up with other savings to really keep the costs down. Get creative with the favors, and make it something that’s unique to you and your fiance.
6. Shop Smart for Attire
Remember wedding gowns and tuxes will only be worn one time. If there’s no desire to hang on to the duds after the event, consider renting instead of buying. Rent tuxes for the men and choose bridesmaid dresses that can be worn again. If you do want to buy, shop around. Finding a beautiful wedding gown at an affordable price is possible.
7. Keep it Small
This is one of the best ways to learn how to save money on a wedding. Just keep it small and simple. If you pare the guest list down to a dull roar, the affair will be elegant, intimate and very memorable.
There is no reason to spend a fortune on a wedding unless you really want to. When the right money saving strategies are put into play, the event can be one to remember without breaking the bank.