save money<\/a> on a wedding? Here are five ways to eat, drink and be married for less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Trim your guest count<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Each person on your invitation list is likely a dear friend or family member. But they\u2019re also another mouth to feed. If you\u2019re already on the fence about whether your mother\u2019s third cousin\u2019s nephew should be in attendance, allow cost to be the determining factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may even want to consider a micro wedding: a celebration of 50 people or less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for the folks that don\u2019t make the cut, there are still a few ways to include them in the celebrations. You could opt to live stream the ceremony. Or, you could host an informal post-wedding BBQ to raise a glass of bubbly at a later date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Rent \u2014 don\u2019t buy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Before you \u2018say yes\u2019 to that dreamy $2,000 Vera Wang ball dress, ask yourself: is it worth it? It\u2019s an important garment, to be sure. But it\u2019s also something you\u2019ll likely wear only once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wedding attire \u2014 dresses, tuxedos, shoes, jewelry \u2014 doesn\u2019t need to be purchased outright. And you can still enjoy that magical dream gown moment if you rent instead of buy. The only difference is that you\u2019ll return the dress after your big day and pay a fraction of the cost. Win-win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI got my original dress from The Bride\u2019s Project, a charitable organization that sells donated dresses (the proceeds of which go to cancer research),\u201d 36 year-old non-profit worker Megan Joyce, said in an email. \u201cMy partner wore a suit he already had, and we didn\u2019t require our wedding parties any set attire \u2014 just a nice suit and a dress of their choice,\u201d said Joyce, who celebrated her wedding at Toronto\u2019s Rorschach Brewery in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the way: this cost-saving tip doesn\u2019t just apply to wedding attire. You can rent all sorts of wedding-related items, including centrepieces, decor, furniture, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if you\u2019re dead set on buying decorations? Jaskow suggests thinking about resale value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPurchasing decor that can be resold after the event is another cost-saver,\u201d Jaskow said in an email. You may be able to recoup some of your costs after the big day by selling your decor on a local online marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Skip top-shelf bar service<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bar service at a wedding can range from a dry bar, where no alcoholic drinks are served, to an open bar complete with signature cocktails, premium spirits and a champagne toast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the thought of fronting the liquor bill gives you cold feet, opt for a cash bar, where guests cover the cost of their drinks. Or run a toonie bar: guests pay two dollars per drink, and the couple covers the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Play your own music<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For the couple with confidence in their playlist-curating abilities, skip the DJ, nix the live musicians, and play your own tunes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This strategy involves some preparatory legwork, and you\u2019ll want to check that your venue has the equipment to accommodate your DIY dance party. If not, you may need to rent some equipment, like a microphone for speeches or speakers to play your reception music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll also want your music available on more than one device and be prepared for offline streaming unless you\u2019re confident in the strength and consistency of your venue\u2019s WiFi network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Watch out for hidden fees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To stick to your wedding budget, you\u2019ll need to look for sneaky fees buried in the fine print of the many contracts you\u2019ll be signing. Whether you aim to avoid these fees or not, simply being aware of what may crop up on your final invoice can be helpful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Non-approved vendors.<\/strong> Some venues have a list of preferred vendors. These are typically professionals the venue has worked with in the past and feels confident recommending. Be sure to ask about any costs associated with straying from the preferred vendor list.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Chairs.<\/strong> Surprisingly, chairs aren\u2019t always included in the venue rental fee. Ask the venue\u2019s event coordinator whether chairs cost extra and whether there\u2019s a delivery fee associated with the rental.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Vendor meals.<\/strong> If you\u2019ve hired vendors to work at your wedding, like a DJ or photographer, be prepared to add a few more meals to your catering bill. It may not be required \u2014 ask your venue or caterer \u2014 but vendors will likely appreciate the gesture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cake cutting.<\/strong> You\u2019ve got your cake, but if you plan to eat it too \u2014 or want the iconic cake-cutting newlyweds’ photo \u2014 you may need to pay a cake cutting fee.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Set up and tear down.<\/strong> Any vendors involved in the set up and tear down of wedding decorations, florals, rental furniture and the like may charge for the favor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Gratuity.<\/strong> Tipping isn\u2019t required but is considered good etiquette, especially if a vendor has gone above and beyond to make your day memorable. If gratuity isn\u2019t included in your invoice (check for it!), consider having cash on hand for the big day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Overtime.<\/strong> If your celebration runs longer than expected, you may need to pay the people staffing your wedding event, including the DJ and photographer, an overtime fee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
I spent years planning and delaying my wedding in response to COVID-related restrictions, and if there\u2019s one major cost-cutting tip I can offer, it\u2019s this: don\u2019t rush. When it comes to wedding planning, time is your friend. And a longer engagement can help you make the money-related wedding decisions that are best for your financial future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We spent months researching vendors so we could hire folks that fit our budget. But time \u2014 something my now-husband and I had in spades during the pandemic \u2014 also gave us the opportunity to prioritize the things that resonated with us as a couple. The result was a happy, unhurried day made possible by those who shared our vision for a wedding celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n