How to Save Money on a Wedding
It’s the weekend and up pops an article (link above) on saving money at a wedding, one of the largest expenses couples face in their early lives. The tips are based on an American wedding but many of them can be used in the UK and elsewhere. It seems worth a Retweet as we are now in Spring, the start of the traditional wedding season. But hang on a minute, how about some lateral thinking here? WHY have a huge wedding in the first place? How about a modest one and the trip of a lifetime, where the honeymoon lasts 9 months?
Proud to say one of my daughters actually did this, as detailed in an early blog A Honeymoon with a Difference With their second baby having arrived over the weekend giving me my third grandchild (mazel tov!) I am sure she and her husband are glad they did their trip of a lifetime when they had the chance.
If you are tempted, their travels are here on Goodfellows Travel while if you still want some money saving ideas, the original article is below.
A wedding ceremony will be a reflection of the bride and groom. It can be simple or elaborate, but there are ways to save money on many different things such as the bridal shower invitations, wedding jewelry, wedding cakes, and wedding cake toppers. Below you will find additional ways to save even more.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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- 1
Have your ceremony at the same place where your reception will be held.
- 1
keepandshare.com 
yolandasweddingfavors.com Make your own ring bearer pillow. You can do this by taking a small white pillow and adding pretty satin ribbon and lace to it.
- How Much Can You Save?www.moneyadviceservice.org.ukOur free tool can show you how your savings might grow in the future.
flickr.com Renting a bridal gown will save money off the retail price. Buy a second hand bridal gown. Look for clearance bridal gowns. Borrow a bridal gown from a friend or family member.
flickr.com Negotiate having your hair done by your beautician for free if you bring her some or all of the females in your bridal party.
Do the same for having your makeup applied.
banica.net Lower the amount of money in photography, by paying for the photographs only and then putting them into a photo album yourself. To save money even more, find a photographer who specializes in weddings and will charge a flat fee to shoot the wedding and allow you to purchase and develop the film yourself.
Also consider a company that offers both photography and videography in a package.
alfanovideo.com Some videographers charge extra for titles and subtitles. Limit the amount of titles and subtitles that are edited into your video after the filming.
Avoid paying for extra hours, by calculating the maximum number of hours you think you will need and negotiate those hours into the price of the package.
flickr.com Serve hors d’ oeuvres buffet style at the reception. Guest will eat less and select what they want; Instead of being served what they would not have chosen for themselves in the beginning.
flickr.com Find out if there will be another wedding in the church, the same day you will get married. If so, ask if you could perhaps share the cost of the floral decorations.
flickr.com If the caterer will allow, serve nonalcoholic drinks only, and buy your own liquor from a wholesaler.
weddingdepot.com The gift attendant is responsible for watching over your wedding gifts during the reception, so no one will steal or mishandle them. Ask a responsible young person from your neighborhood or a co-workers child to watch over your gifts at the reception for a small fee.
Borrow a cake top from a friend or family member.
mydreamwedding.ca 
Make your own table centerpiece