Weddings are expensive – no ifs, ands, or buts about it. According to The Knot, the 2022 national average cost of a wedding in the United States is $30,000, a $2,000 increase from 2021’s. Add inflation to the mix and you can expect to spend even more than that this year.
Even if you opt for a smaller event, expenses can still quickly add up. Fortunately, there are a few ways to still have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank. Here are a few easy ways to cut down on your wedding costs:
Trim your wedding party down
Traditionally, your wedding party will have to pay for a lot of expenses themselves, including travel and attire. However, you’ll have to shoulder a few specifics, such as proposal boxes, boutonnieres, the bridesmaids’ bouquets, as well as any post-wedding gifts.
Keeping your wedding party to a manageable number is a great way to save on upfront costs. Remember, not everyone needs to be a bridesmaid or groomsman. While you’re at it, you can also help your closest friends save some money by directing them to a reputable supplier of wholesale bridesmaid dresses, such as Ladivine, and having them pick a dress that they love from there. They have an extensive list of authorized retailers both online & offline, giving the bridesmaids an option to easily purchase the dresses. Ladivine releases a size-inclusive, modern capsule collection of wholesale bridesmaid dresses each year called Bridemuse making it easier for your girlfriends to find beautiful and modern styles that will go seamlessly with the theme of your wedding.
Enlist the help of a wedding planner
Most couples balk at the idea of hiring a wedding planner because they think that it’s an unnecessary additional expense. However, there are plenty of advantages to enlisting the assistance of one. Chief among them is the fact that a wedding planner can actually help you stay on budget. Wedding planners also have established relationships with many of the vendors in your location, which can give you access to better pricing and service quality than you might be able to get on your own.
When you hire a wedding planner, you don’t just save money. Their expertise and experience can guide you throughout the entire planning process, and you’ll find yourself feeling much less stress on what should be the happiest day of your life. Consider meeting with a few wedding planners in your area and find your perfect fit!
Put a hard limit on your food and beverage expenses
The food and beverage for your wedding will likely eat up a huge chunk of the budget that you’ve set aside, no pun intended. It’s also one of the most important elements of the event, and will likely be what your guests will end up remembering the most after the wedding.
Fortunately, you don’t have to skimp on the eats–you just have to be smart about what you choose to serve. You can go for a cocktail-style reception and pass hors d’ouevres around instead of opting for a sit-down dinner or a buffet; you can also choose to have your wedding in the morning and serve brunch food, which will be less expensive than dinner fare.
As for alcohol and beverages, one of the best ways to save is to not go for a costly open bar. Instead, you may want to limit what’s served to beer, a small wine selection, and a cocktail themed around your wedding.
Ladivine makes it easy to stock beautiful and on-trend wedding dresses, as well as bridesmaid’s dresses that your customers are sure to love. Visit their website today to learn more about their wholesale options!
