By Terry Meadows
Did you know the average cost of a wedding in the Northern Virginia area is $60,000?
Are you looking for a more reasonable budget for your celebration?
At Zion Springs, we’ve hosted weddings since 2010 and have gathered invaluable insights on how to save money without compromising on the quality of your big day. We want to share our knowledge with you, starting with tips on how to be budget-savvy before the wedding day even arrives.
In this article we look at realistic and practical ways to save money in the planning stages of your wedding.
5 Quick Wins to Save Money when Planning Your Wedding
Are you willing to be flexible in your choices and decisions? If it’s not important to you both, don’t do it.
Set a Realistic Budget
Before you begin wedding planning, establish a realistic budget. Discuss with your partner what aspects of the wedding are most important to you. Allocate your funds accordingly, and stick to your budget to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Choose the Right Date
Opt for an off-peak wedding date. Venues and vendors often offer lower rates during the off-season or on weekdays. By being flexible with your wedding date, you can significantly cut costs.
Limit the Guest List
A smaller guest list means lower costs for catering, invitations, and venue size. Consider inviting only close friends and family to keep the celebration intimate and budget-friendly.
DIY Decorations
Get creative and make your own decorations. DIY projects can add a personal touch to your wedding and save you money. Enlist the help of friends and family for crafting sessions to make it more fun.
Book a Venue with In-House Services
Choose a venue that offers in-house services like catering, decorations, and coordination. Zion Springs, for example, provides all-inclusive packages that can simplify planning and help you save on separate vendor costs.
Specific Savings Strategies for Your Wedding Planning
Discover targeted ways to cut costs without compromising your wedding dreams. These strategies can make a significant difference in your overall expenses while still ensuring a memorable celebration.
Wedding Planner
Average cost: $3,200
Wedding planners are worth their weight when it comes to cost savings as they can tap into their industry resources and contacts to find effective ways to save money that you might not have considered. This is their area of expertise, so take advantage of it!
If you feel you’ve got this, then consider getting a day-of coordinator. They can help take the stress out of all the details on your wedding day, leaving you to have your best day ever.
Wedding Attire
Average cost: $2,300
Current trends lean towards more environmentally conscious choices, so consider renting your wedding dress and bridesmaids’ dresses. Poshare and Dare and Dazzle offer high-end designer dresses for a fraction of the purchase price, eliminating the need to preserve the dress in acid-free paper and box in the attic.
Wedding E-vites
Average cost $400
Embrace the digital age! Send invitations through the Internet. It is an eco-friendly and efficient way to manage your guest list while saving money on paper stock, printing, and postage.
Websites such as Green Envelope have online wedding invitations where guests can RSVP online, and you can track responses. If you definitely want physical invitations, consider having guests RSVP online. You are also saving on return postage.
Ditch printing and posting Save the Date cards. These can be online too.
For printed materials:
- engraving is the most expensive
- thermography is cheaper and has an embossed effect
- off-set printing is best for large printing jobs
- digital or flat printing is the most economical
- limit the number of colors on your invitations and programs
Keep your invitation envelopes within a reasonable weight. All the extra papers pile on the ounces that will cost you more at the post office.
Print fewer menus. You don’t need one for every seat. Or even better, ditch them altogether. You can add an elegant noticeboard for guests to read as they enter the reception room.
The same goes for programs. Guests are willing to share unless it’s the middle aged ladies who are snatching them up to use as fans!
Instead of name cards, have guests locate their table on a cafe-style board next to the guest signing table. They can look up their table assignment while waiting to sign the book.
Photography and Videography
There are other thoughtful ways to keep your costs down. Be willing to ditch some of the traditions that dictated our parents and grandparents' weddings if they are not important to you.
- Use a photographer for formal pictures, and have guests share their pictures from the reception.
- Choose your photographer and videographer from the same company for a package deal. And go with one that has a la carte options.
- Tap into your local college students. There is some amazing talent in budding artists, and they don’t command the high prices of seasoned professionals.
- Check with a cosmetology school for a stylist to do your hair and makeup.
Conclusion: Expert Tips for Saving Money on Your Wedding
This article covered strategies to save money, from setting a budget and choosing the right date to DIY decorations and smart vendor choices, as well as specific tips like renting attire, borrowing accessories, and shopping vintage.
With over 15 years of hosting weddings, our extensive experience has taught us the ins and outs of planning memorable, budget-friendly events, and sharing this knowledge with you is our passion.
For more tips and insights, visit the Answers and Advice page on our website. Learn about specific topics such as planning timelines, and venue selection to guide you on your wedding journey.
All photos in this article are courtesy of Zion Springs' in-house photographer.
