The costs associated with wedding preparations can quickly add up. Unfortunately, wedding decorations are a common place for couples to skimp.
Pinterest is full with pictures of perfect weddings with rustic wooden farm tables, overflowing bouquets, fine tableware, and towering, visually arresting cakes. Sounds like you've got your perfect wedding in the works, along with some very chic ideas for the ceremony and reception settings.
You'll be spending a lot of time trying to figure out how to lower the price tag on your wedding. Unfortunately, however, there are some expenses, such as the location and the shooting, that just cannot be reduced.
Even while you want your wedding photos to look amazing in 20 years, you should spend as little as possible on each item.
Make a wedding budget worksheet and divide up the money for the essentials. Everything from items you can make yourself to those you can forego entirely will be laid out for you here.
Faux wedding cakes, flawless flowers, centre pieces, unusual settings, and other creative ways to cut costs during the ceremony and reception are only the beginning.
But as we are all well aware, the cost of these seemingly insignificant ornamental touches may quickly pile up. In that case, consider the following suggestions for saving money.
One of the most fun parts of organising a wedding is coming up with creative ways to decorate. Follow these easy guidelines, and you'll know exactly what to do to have a beautiful wedding on a tight budget.
Tips to Save Money on Your Wedding Decorations
Let's start with a brief summary of the expenses you can expect. The majority of engaged couples select a team of providers, including a photographer, wedding coordinator, and florist, and reserve at least one venue for their big day.
After that, the couple can decide whether to buy or rent the other parts, which might include everything from clothing to décor to personal touches.
It's not surprising that bills start piling up rapidly for newlyweds, given all the ways in which they might spend their money.
To help you avoid breaking the bank while planning your big day, we've compiled some of our best money-saving tips below.
Determine what is most important to you and your spouse and focus on making that happen.
Pick the Perfect Venue
Making wise decisions about the wedding venue is an important part of planning a wedding on a budget. Wedding reception halls cost a lot of money.
So, rather than having the ceremony and the reception at separate locations, have them both at the same location.
Make sure the location you decide on has adequate room to be changed into a reception hall. You can save money on decorations by using the same flowers and chairs for both events.
Create a Giant Imitation Cake
Want a huge, multi-tiered cake? Imagine fake cakes.
You're on a strict spending plan, but you still want your dessert to look as fancy as the one you see here.
The "faux cake" is a well-liked middle ground, which is good news. Fondant frosting is used to cover a Styrofoam picture frame to create this work of art.
Sheet cake can be discreetly prepared in the kitchen, and no one will suspect a thing! Are you set on having a cake-cutting celebration, though? Make the best truly elite.
A wedding cake constructed from as many layers of Styrofoam as you can afford is among the best low-cost wedding ideas.
The best part of the cake should be saved for last. Layer pastries from the kitchen should be served instead. They don't know any better.
Try a New Approach to the Centerpiece
However, the price of a gorgeous centrepiece varies widely. To cut costs without sacrificing elegance, try something different for the wedding centrepieces.
The tables should instead be lit by lanterns. The welcoming light they cast will help people relax.
Plus, they'll make lovely decorations for your home, so you can thank your guests for coming even if you don't use them as wedding favours.
Learn from Your Flowers
One of our creative low-cost wedding ideas is to familiarise yourself with your floral options.
If, for example, you have a serious obsession with peonies—especially when they're out of season—you're going to have to shell out some serious cash. Choose garden roses or an antique rose variety
They are cheaper than peonies, take longer to mature, and seem identical.
Recycle Instead of Landfilling
You can also be imaginative with conventional centrepieces. Try to find some unused containers like jars, cans, and vases lying around the house.
Wrap these containers with ribbons in your chosen colours. Insert individual flower stems to create a bouquet. Minimalism at its finest, yet it cost next to nothing to pull off.
Venues With Their Own Furnishings
When planning a wedding on a tight budget, it can be helpful to select venues that require minimal, if any, decoration.
Locate outdoor areas that make the most of the surroundings.
Museums, gardens, beaches, parks, and other recreational areas. If you like being indoors, you can always go with a fancy ballroom and save a tonne of money.
The Best Cake Decorations Come From Nature
Natural embellishments are more cost-effective than sugar flowers. To add flair and elegance to your wedding cake, consider using real flowers.
Naked cakes topped with delicate blossoms and fresh foliage are another an option.
Many couples are beginning to appreciate this beauty because it is so subtle. In a nutshell, you get to spend less money on unnecessary items.
Bring Out Your Inner Minimalist
To avoid standing out too much at the marriage ceremony and reception location, you may want to go with a more understated, subtle design.
Don't waste money on elaborate centrepieces and orchids for the walls; instead, decorate with plants. Make use of large twigs and well-cared-for sprigs of foliage.
If you use sprays, you may add a variety of colours that fit in with your theme while still creating a cohesive aesthetic.
Don't Throw Away Your Bridesmaids' Bouquets!
The wedding party might save a lot of money by recycling the stems they were given during the ceremony.
The key is to stick with a colour palette that is identical to the wedding bouquet and centrepieces. After the wedding, switch between little bouquets of buds and larger arrangements as centre pieces.
Use Light to Set the Mood
With the right lighting, you may easily achieve a romantic atmosphere on your wedding day. That said, it's not necessary to go out and buy fancy LED bulbs.
To make your reception more lively, try using sparkling lanterns or even bistro lights.
You can use these lights to decorate your venue for the ceremony and celebration.
For outdoor celebrations on a tight budget, they are an excellent option.
You and your visitors will be blown away by the ambience created by these lights regardless of where you choose to put them.
Invest in your community by supporting local businesses.
You can save paying extra for shipping by getting your tablescape supplies from a local shop.
The wedding can also include special touches that pay homage to the couple's hometown. It's fun to go shopping for house furnishings at local antique stores or other speciality stores since you may often find unusual pieces that won't cost an arm and a leg.
Then, you can discuss your prefered items with your florists and other service providers.
Then, your suppliers can put their skills to use in locating other, complementary decorative elements for the rest of your reception.
Check out brick-and-mortar establishments first before looking for decorative pillows for your living room or an antique suitcase to deposit your visitors' thank-you notes in.
Linens as an Accent Piece
Since linens can be rented cheaply, they are a great way to completely change the look of your wedding location without breaking the bank.
Different types of reception linens can be rented from a number of different companies.
The cloth can be draped from the ceiling or used to cover tables or make table runners to complete the look.
Remember that some fabrics, including silk and some types of sequins, are more expensive than others.
Table runners are a great alternative to full table coverings if you have your heart set on a specific fabric for your reception but know it will break the bank to do so.
If you're looking to cut down on fabric waste, try using table runners instead. As a result, you'll save money compared to covering all of your tabletops.
Having full fabric on each table can be expensive, but there are other ways to make your tablescape look elegant.
Repurpose Flower Prints
Centerpiece flowers can add up quickly, so if you're trying to save money on your wedding, consider recycling the arrangements from the ceremony into the centrepieces for the reception.
You can reuse the flowers from the ceremony, such as the bridesmaid bouquets and the altar arrangement, at the reception as well.
Bouquets presented in vases as table centrepieces are a beautiful option.
Do not utilise altar arrangements or aisle markers inside the reception hall; instead, put them in the foyer or on the welcome table.
When decorating for a reception, it is smart to reuse flower arrangements rather than buying a second set.
Make careful to keep the flowers submerged in water so they don't wilt before your visitors arrive.
Put up the Family Snapshots
You can use adorable candids and retro images from your childhood to adorn the reception hall.
They are not only reasonably priced but also provide a charmingly retro touch to your special day.
Display the photographs in photo frames that coordinate with the wedding's colour design.
You'd be surprised at how adding a few images may add a special touch to your wedding decorations.
Using images of loved ones as place card holders is a simple and cost-effective way to add a touch of warmth and nostalgia to your reception.
Choose images of both you from different eras to act as table numbers in place of the usual numerical placeholders.
Your guests will be enchanted by the warm and welcoming atmosphere you've created at the table, and the photographs will generate lively conversation.
Use family photos as table centrepieces instead of spending a lot of money on floral arrangements to make your reception tables stand out.
Display Your Food In Imaginative Ways.
We recommend being creative with the displays if you're going for a wedding dessert buffet or other food stations.
You may simply adorn your reception with creative food displays, such as stacking your desserts in a tri cake tower or using chalkboard placards to describe each dish.
You won't believe how dramatically changing the presentation of the food at your reception can affect the atmosphere for so little effort or money.
Appetizers like canapes and other snacks can be arranged in a cute pattern, and cupcakes and other sweet treats can be arranged to resemble a heart.
That's a loaded question, because the answers might be anything.
Get Your Money Back
There is a lot of material you won't need anymore after the wedding.
There's no reason to hoard wedding decorations like candelabras, dream catchers, chargers, and string lights when you can easily make a profit by selling them.
To find pre-owned wedding items, have a look at websites or Facebook marketplaces that focus on such items specifically.
You can make a profit while also facilitating the financial security of other married couples.
Different Strategies to Significantly Reduce Wedding Decoration Costs
It is possible to have a beautiful wedding without breaking the bank by skimping on the tiniest of things.
Treats for the Wedding Party
The tables where the wedding party is sitting should be lavishly decorated, rather than spending money on renting 20 gorgeous wooden tables and buying enormous floral centrepieces for each.
Then explain the situation to the photographer. Cameras must be able to take pictures with stunning detail.
Funding Highlights
Flowers are beautiful, but the cost can add up quickly.
Consider ordering a huge quantity of lanterns in instead of expensive floral arrangements. You can bask in their comforting light, and your visitors will appreciate the novelty of taking something home with them.
Recognize Your Pals
Do you swoon over peonies' lushness and romance? Then you're going to become best friends with garden roses, also called "classic roses" or "leaf roses."
They're aesthetically comparable to more expensive flowers, but won't break the bank at the price of a bunch. This variety of flower, like peonies, benefits from a lengthy growing season.
Promotion via User-Generated Content
Don't be shy about asking for advice from your married female friends. Could you use any of their extra votives, or maybe they know a good place to get supplies?
Get it Reused.
Try filling up empty bottles or looking for inexpensive glasses to reuse. You can save some money while still looking stylish by adding only one bloom to each bottle.
Reductions in the Catering Budget
A family meal can do wonders for your bank account: This option is more cost-effective than a sit-down lunch because large centrepieces are unnecessary. Everyone will be too busy looking at the food to notice anything else.
Make an Effort
Do you want to decorate with gold and silver? Rather than searching for actual mixed metals, you might spray paint trinkets and use them as centrepieces on reception tables. All of the above used as escort cards for a destination wedding on the beach.
Homemade Photo Booth
Creating your own photo booth is a great option if you're keen on the concept but aren't quite ready to fork over the cash.
An Instagram-worthy background would include a wall of flowers, a bunch of balloons, or a roll of ribbon. But don't forget to bring the props!
Location Appropriate
Think of holding both the ceremony and the reception in the exact location. There will be no need to pay to ship the chairs and flowers again.
There is a hidden benefit: your visitors will be given more time to celebrate!
Positive Atmosphere in the Garden
The best method to save money at the florist is to get some greenery. The garlands are also very fashionable. This particular (all-natural) eucalyptus leaf table runner is less expensive than elaborate flower arrangements.
Aperitifs & Canapés
The tab for passing appetisers and bar drinks can rise quickly! To reduce the number of servers needed for the reception, set up food and drink stations.
Built-In Profits
Select a location that doesn't require any extra embellishment. Picture instead romantic settings like this botanical garden ballroom.
Commonly Used Buds
Centerpieces for the reception tables can be the bridesmaids' bouquets. That's a savings of about $500 if the alternative floral arrangements are retailing for $75 or more, and if the bride has six attendants.
So what is the catch? Alternate across smaller and larger flowers on reception tables while maintaining a consistent colour pattern.
Return the Money
Avoid being burdened with a surplus of chargers and candlesticks when the wedding is over. Instead, you may try to resell your great furnishings. Online marketplaces like Tradesy facilitate both the searching for and the trading of goods.
Minimize Everything
Join the cutting edge of modern banquets. Adhere to sprigs of green, huge twigs, and flashes of colour, like these cute rose-colored glasses, instead than intricate centrepieces.
Ingredients found in Nature Make the Perfect Icing
Make a statement with all-natural flowers on your cake. Naked cakes with just a few tiny blossoms and sprigs of foliage look sophisticated, and icing flowers can be prohibitively expensive.
Get Your Shopping Done In Your Neighborhood
Save money on delivery costs by finding what you need (flower shops, equipment rental places, mobile kitchens) in your immediate area. What's more, it'll be a first for everyone of your wedding guests!
Find a Middle Ground
Check to see what vendors the other couples utilising your location are using, and if they are willing to collaborate with each of you for a discount, if possible.
The lighting industry, for instance, may be amenable to bargaining provided it didn't have to make any infrastructure changes.
FAQ`s About Wedding Decor
- Use Items From Your Home.
- DIY Wedding Décor.
- Repurpose Ceremony Décor.
- Think Outside The Box For Centerpieces.
- Drape Lights To Transform Your Reception Space.
- Add Florals And Greenery.
- Rent Items To Save Your Wedding Budget.
Conclusion
Images of picture-perfect wedding receptions complete with long wooden farm tables, vases overflowing with blooms, and towering, eye-catching cakes can be found in abundance on Pinterest. Couples often cut corners where it matters most at their wedding, and that's the decorations. Here are some ways to cut costs so that you can have a stunning wedding without breaking the bank. A giant fake cake made out of Styrofoam layers and lantern-lit tables are two examples of creative ways to cut costs at a wedding. Save money by reusing decorations and furniture from the previous event.
As a result of its subtlety, more and more couples are discovering its charm. You may want to go with a more subtle design so that you don't draw too much attention to yourself at the wedding ceremony and reception venue. Don't throw your money away on pricey wall orchids and elaborate table centrepieces. If you're on the hunt for throw pillows, your best bet is to start at a brick-and-mortar shop. Then, your vendors can put their expertise to use sourcing supplementary ornamental pieces.
If you want to reduce fabric waste without sacrificing style, try using table runners instead of full table coverings. The use of photographs of loved ones as place card holders is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to infuse your reception with sentiment and nostalgia. Even if you have to cut corners here and there, you can still have a stunning wedding without going into debt. Garden roses have the same visual appeal as more pricey flowers, but they won't empty your wallet. Simply by using one flower per bottle, you can save money without sacrificing style.
Use spray-painted souvenirs as table centrepieces to show that you care. The bridesmaid bouquets can double as table centrepieces for the reception. Place flowers on reception tables in a staggered pattern, alternating between smaller and larger blooms of the same colour. Shopping for and selling goods is made easier with the help of online marketplaces like Tradesy.
Content Summary
- Make a wedding budget worksheet and divide up the money for the essentials.
- Faux wedding cakes, flawless flowers, centre pieces, unusual settings, and other creative ways to cut costs during the ceremony and reception are only the beginning.
- So, rather than having the ceremony and the reception at separate locations, have them both at the same location.
- You can save money on decorations by using the same flowers and chairs for both events.
- The best part of the cake should be saved for last.
- To cut costs without sacrificing elegance, try something different for the wedding centrepieces.
- One of our creative low-cost wedding ideas is to familiarise yourself with your floral options.
- If you like being indoors, you can always go with a fancy ballroom and save a tonne of money.
- To add flair and elegance to your wedding cake, consider using real flowers.
- Don't waste money on elaborate centrepieces and orchids for the walls; instead, decorate with plants.
- The key is to stick with a colour palette that is identical to the wedding bouquet and centrepieces.
- With the right lighting, you may easily achieve a romantic atmosphere on your wedding day.
- Then, your suppliers can put their skills to use in locating other, complementary decorative elements for the rest of your reception.
- Check out brick-and-mortar establishments first before looking for decorative pillows for your living room or an antique suitcase to deposit your visitors' thank-you notes in.
- Centerpiece flowers can add up quickly, so if you're trying to save money on your wedding, consider recycling the arrangements from the ceremony into the centrepieces for the reception.
- You can reuse the flowers from the ceremony, such as the bridesmaid bouquets and the altar arrangement, at the reception as well.
- Using images of loved ones as place card holders is a simple and cost-effective way to add a touch of warmth and nostalgia to your reception.
- Use family photos as table centrepieces instead of spending a lot of money on floral arrangements to make your reception tables stand out.
- Then you're going to become best friends with garden roses, also called "classic roses" or "leaf roses.
- An Instagram-worthy background would include a wall of flowers, a bunch of balloons, or a roll of ribbon.
- Centerpieces for the reception tables can be the bridesmaids' bouquets.
- Alternate across smaller and larger flowers on reception tables while maintaining a consistent colour pattern.
- Avoid being burdened with a surplus of chargers and candlesticks when the wedding is over.
- Make a statement with all-natural flowers on your cake.
- Save money on delivery costs by finding what you need (flower shops, equipment rental places, mobile kitchens) in your immediate area.