Money Saving Wedding Tips

Are you planning to get married, but have a very limited budget?

Perhaps you would prefer to save money for a new home to start your married lives in, or a special honeymoon. Maybe you just feel exhorbitant spending for one day is a waste of money. Or perhaps you just don't have much money available to spend!

A wedding need not be expensive to create wonderful romantic memories.   There are many ways that you can save money on your wedding.  Below are some points to start you off.


WEDDING DRESSES

Maybe your mother or another relative or friend has a wedding dress that you could borrow. Some may prefer you wear it "as is", but others may allow you to alter and redesign it to make it your own creation. 

Salvation Army, Goodwill and other secondhand shops often have pre loved wedding dresses for sale, at varying prices, but usually much cheaper than elsewhere. Finding a dress you like and which fits you may take some time, so begin the hunt early! Remember, you can always use the dress just as the basis for your own additions, to create your ideal gown.

Hiring a wedding dress is a cheaper option than buying, but you won't have the dress afterwards as a memento.

Bridal hire shops sometimes sell off surplus gowns, so this may be a good way to get a bargain.

Check newspapers, noticeboards etc for wedding dresses being sold off after they have been used for a wedding.


BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES

Bridesmaids may be willing to pay for their own dresses, especially if you choose a design that they will be able to wear again as evening wear in normal life.

You can sometimes obtain bridesmaids dresses secondhand (as for wedding dresses above), however, it may be hard to get matching dresses to fit each of your bridesmaids.  Don't forget however, that dresses can be altered, within reason.


VENUE

What about holding your wedding in the garden or home of a family member or friend, if someone has somewhere suitable?

A park or other outdoor area may be either free, or cheaper to use than an indoor venue.

Some council halls can be quite cheap, especially for residents of the council area.

Church (especially if you are a member of the church), Scout and Guide halls may be cheaper than some other club or private halls. However, they may not be of quite the same quality either, or supply the same basics.


WEDDING FLOWERS

If your wedding is at a time of year in which flowers bloom readily, consider using flowers from your garden, or from assorted friends and relatives. This could be a little risky, so you may need a Plan B, in case nature interferes with a sudden harsh hot or cold spell, or locusts attack, or the dog digs up all the flowering plants etc! With a bit of research and planning (and a Plan B) you might even try planting seedlings, far enough in advance, to bloom for your wedding. These can even be used in their pots for stunning displays, and picked for boquets.

Using beautifully toned foliage for a lot of your displays, maybe with just a few accent flowers, can be magnificent. These can often easily be obtained from trees and bushes of friends and family for no cost.

For table decorations, consider using beautiful objects from nature amongst a few flowers or foliage. Things such as pine cones, native cones, bark, fascinating small pieces of wood, shells and the like can be incorporated into your displays. Also consider costume jewellery, if you have it, such as strands of faux pearls or attractive beads, twisted amongst flowers.

If your wedding is at the appropriate time, look for roadside/garden flower sellers. For instance, around Mothers Day many people sell beautiful bunches of chrysanthemums for a good price. These come in quite a variation of colour, so if you like this flower you might consider arranging to buy bulk bunches from one of these people. You may even personally know someone who does this, and could arrange well in advance for them to supply them.


FOOD

If you aren't planning to have a large number of guests, or are only serving simple food- finger food, nibbles, afternoon tea or whatever, consider asking reliable enthusiastic friends or relatives to cater for you. Don't try to do it yourself however (ok, you can bake your favourite cookies- if you get time!) or ask your immediate family, as you will have far too much else to deal with!

Check with your local groups such as Country Women's Association, church groups, and other service organisations. They may do catering, and charge a smaller price than businesses. You also provide the benefit of your money going to help others, in any profit they make.


WEDDING CAKE

Do you know anyone who does cake decorating and might be willing to make your wedding cake for a small fee, or maybe even just for the cost of ingredients?

If you are creative, you might even like to try decorating your own cake. There are lots of instructive books or videos available with ideas and directions for cake decorating. also, check out cake decorating websites. If you'd like to get some practical instruction, you may be able to find a low fee cake decorating course, through a community organisation.

Some lovely wedding cake decorations are available for sale, which can make it a lot easier when doing your own cake.

Or perhaps you could just use a mass of fresh flowers to make a beautiful fresh decorative cake.


WEDDING TRANSPORT

Cars (or other vehicles such as motorbikes) borrowed from friends or family make the cheapest wedding transport. Maybe you can arrange for cars of the same colour- luckily, white is a pretty popular colour of vehicle for people to own and also the traditional wedding car colour. Not that you should let this stop you using any other colour, or a mixture, if you wish! A wide ribbon "V" on the bonnet of each car can add a traditional touch.

You could always decide to just hire one fancy car or limo, for the bride and then the married couple, and allow everyone else to arrive in their own vehicles.

If you have access to anything unusual... like a horse and cart, or riding horses, or tractors... don't be afraid to use transport with a difference!

If you have a large wedding party, hiring a mini bus may work out a better option.


WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Friends or family members who are good with a camera/video camera is your obvious option.  With digital cameras, lots of shots can be taken, so hopefully there will end up some good ones.  Then you can print the ones you want.
You could try approaching a photography student at your local higher education facility.  You may be able to find someone who will do it for only a small fee, or just as an opportunity for experience.


HONEYMOON

Pre arrange a house swap with a friend or relative who lives somewhere nice... and almost anywhere will seem special with your new love.

Hire a romantic little houseboat and meander happily along the river, or spend lazy days tied up in a secluded spot.

Some organisations, such as churches and Country Women's Association, own units and houses which can be rented for holidays by anyone, often at cheaper prices than more commercial accommodation.

If you want to go interstate, or even overseas, keep a lookout for really cheap flights.  Special promotions and standby deals can make your honeymoon transport costs much easier on the wallet.  Check out online offers.

If you are buying or building your own home, and you will have it at the time of your wedding, why not make your honeymoon your first nights in your own home. It will be new and unique to you, as it will be the first time you've stayed there. And being your very own place, at the beginning of your life journey together will give it a special feeling unequalled by any other place.


Online adverts and offers are always worth looking for, for any wedding needs, as you can sometimes find some real bargains that aren't available in stores!


Hopefully some of the above suggestions will help you to plan a memorable wedding, that won't break your budget!


If you have any further suggestions that have worked for you, please let us know so that we can include them.