Photo (above) : Wedding planner: C Events - Photographer: LUX Visual Storytellers - Event hall: Feestzaal Ter Heyde - Photographer: Mathias Hannes - Photographer: Blooming Tales Photography
1. Define your budget and keep track of all costs
Step one to cutting costs for your wedding is... effectively knowing how much you can or want to spend, and knowing which areas you can or want to save on. Together with your partner, lay down the amount you can spend on your wedding party. In doing so, set as realistic a budget as possible. It is completely understandable if you do not yet know how much everything costs. Therefore, do some research into the cost prices of the various items for your wedding party. Then break down your budget by item or supplier. Prepare a clear document, a spreadsheet for example, in which you take into account all possible costs, and update it properly each time you secure a supplier and know the effective prices you will pay.
2. Provide some extra margin
When setting your budget, keep some margin. Many couples end up exceeding their initial wedding budget. That's why you should set aside some budget in advance for unexpected costs or extras you really can't resist. And if you don't spend this ‘extra’ part, you will have saved some money. #BrideMath
3. Set your priorities
What is absolutely most important to you on your wedding day? What must not be missed? And what do you attach less importance to? Based on this, decide where you want to spend the most budget and how you want to divide it. Would you like to have your wedding day beautifully captured on film, for example, to cherish your memories for life? Then invest in a good, professional photographer and videographer. Is delicious catering with top service essential on your day, to really spoil your guests? Then reserve a larger part of your budget for your caterer. Would you like to create a memorable experience for your guests, including entertainment and live music? Choose the things that are really important to you. Then cut back on the things you value less.
4. Call in a wedding planner
A wedding planner helps you estimate the necessary budget to realise your wishes, to stay within that budget and to find the best suppliers in terms of value for money. As experts in budget management, they know the right prices on the wedding market and where to find them. Your wedding planner will help you think about optimisation and guide you to the best suppliers for your budget level. They will also make sure that you don't overlook important issues and will follow up on your suppliers and offers. That way, there will be no surprises
5. Get married during the week
Getting married on weekdays often costs less at your town or city hall than getting married at the weekend. On certain weekdays, getting married in front of the law can even be free. Party halls and catering companies also often charge less on weekdays, due to lower demand to get married during the week as well as lower staff costs than on weekends. Another advantage of getting married during the week: you will more quickly find a party hall -and other suppliers!- that are available.
6. Get married in winter
Just as weekend weddings are more expensive, getting married in full ‘wedding season’ -summer- can also be more expensive than getting married in winter, spring or autumn, due to lower demand in those seasons -especially in winter. Moreover, in winter -again- you are more likely to find your favourite suppliers still available.
7. Order on time
For a wedding, last-minute deals do not generally apply . The earlier you book your suppliers or make your purchases, the better. By ordering your wedding dress or wedding suit on time, for example, you may even be able to avoid an extra charge for ‘rush work’. Besides, you would rather be sure that your favourite supplier is still available and that everything will be finished on time, right?
8. Bundle your orders
Bundle your orders for your tent and other rental items, such as tables, chairs, furniture and decorations, with one supplier as much as possible. That way, you avoid extra transport costs. This is not only good for your wallet, but also for the environment!
9. Opt for local and seasonal
Another way to save both your wallet and the environment is to choose local and seasonal flowers, catering, decoration... Buying locally means lower transport costs. Also, local suppliers themselves need to travel less distance to come to your party, which may also mean lower or no travel costs.
In addition, flowers and ingredients for your catering, among other things, are cheaper if you keep them seasonal than if you choose products that are more difficult to obtain in that season.
10. Weigh your favourite supplier's packages
Many suppliers work with different packages, based on how many hours they are present at your party, for example, or what exact services they deliver. Agree with them what is possible, and which package best suits your party and budget. This can apply to your banquet hall, photographer, videographer, florist, wedding planner,...
Also weigh up different catering formulas against each other. It could be that a buffet or walking dinner will cost you a bit less than a seated dinner - as there will be less room staff involved. You can also opt for a dessert buffet or a wedding cake.
11. Stick to the agreed end time
If you choose a package with a specific end time, stick to this hour to avoid extra costs for your party. The final duration of your party will affect the cost of your drinks bill, staff costs and any overtime fees from other suppliers such as your DJ or photographer.
12. Save on your drinks
Your drinks will probably take up a large part of your budget. You can reduce this cost by choosing cava or sparkling wine instead of champagne, and a slightly cheaper wine. Belgian-made (sparkling) wine or light beer can also help you cut costs at your wedding. Agree well with your caterer or banquet hall on exactly which drinks can be offered. Ask them not to serve heavy beers and spirits - these come at an additional cost.
In addition, if possible, opt for a flat-rate or fixed amount for drinks to avoid surprises at the final bill. Or agree with your ballroom or caterer whether you can bring your own drinks to be served at your party. They will often ask for a corkage fee, a fixed amount per bottle, to compensate for the service and the use and washing up of the glasses. In this case, calculate carefully how much the purchase of the drinks plus the corkage fee will cost you in total for your wedding party, and what is effectively the most economical option.
13. Opt for a more intimate guest list
Perhaps you prefer to celebrate your day with all your family and friends around you, and find it hard to cross people off your guest list. However, by inviting a smaller group of people to your wedding party, you reduce your costs on many levels. You need a smaller party room, need to send out fewer invitations, and most importantly, you need to provide catering and drinks for fewer people. If you hire things yourself, you can opt for a smaller tent and hire fewer tables, chairs and decorations.
14. Hire an already nicely decorated ballroom
With a ballroom that is already nicely decorated and furnished by default, where you can keep the furnishings for your wedding -including furniture, tables, chairs, fixed decorations and furnishings- you can save on decoration and the hire of tables, chairs and other furniture. Do ask if the use of all furniture is included in the price of your banquet hall.
15. Focus on a few eye-catchers
You can also save costs for your wedding by focusing on a few eye-catchers as decoration. Choose a few eye-catching elements that reflect the mood of your wedding - instead of lots of different decorations. Think of a minimalist theme, where you do have a few beautiful flower arrangements that catch the eye. With a less-is-more approach, you can also save costs on several aspects of your wedding. Think for example of a minimalist wedding cake, a simple wedding dress without lace, pearls or other decorations, and so on.
16. Reuse your flowers and decorations
Where possible, have your flowers and decorations moved -quickly- to use them at multiple times during your wedding day. For example, move them from your church wedding celebration to your ballroom for your reception and dinner.
In addition, consider reusing and upcycling items for your wedding. Upcycling, also a big sustainability trend, means that you give new life to an old item by reusing it in a creative way. For example, instead of buying something new, you can transform old items into new pieces with a higher value than before. For example, think of bottles or jars that you give a new look and reuse as vases, lights or candle holders on your big day.
17. Buy your attire with an eye on the future
Do you want a tailored wedding costume that you can also wear for the rest of your life? Then also consider this costume as an investment in your future. That way, for future parties or events you attend, you have already saved the cost of a new costume. The same can apply to your wedding dress. For example, choose a two-piece wedding dress where you can wear the top and skirt both (separately) afterwards. You can also wear your shoes, jewellery and other accessories again. In this way, these are not costs for your wedding, and you will have saved some money. #BrideMath
18. Be careful with DIY
It may seem as if do-it-yourself projects will save you money for your wedding. However, you need specific materials and tools for this. This can in some cases cost you more than if you work with suppliers who already have all the necessary materials and experience. So inform yourself well in advance about all the things you need to provide yourself for your DIY projects. Also think about the time and possible stress that these projects could involve. Is the end result worth it? If you really want to do your own wedding decorations, consider focusing on one project and leave the rest to the professionals.
19. Get an album from your photographer right away
- Photographers are allowed to charge 6% or 9% instead of 21% VAT in certain cases, for example if they also deliver a wedding album - a photo book that meets certain printing conditions - when taking your photo shoot. So in this case, save on the tax cost by opting for an album as well. Because honestly, you want that beautifully finished, impressive once-in-a-lifetime wedding album with your most beautiful photos in it anyway...
20. Be creative with your gifts
Most people won't miss a gift if you decide not to give one at your wedding. Often the whole experience for your guests is magical in itself. If you do want to give them something to take home, it's best to get creative with this to save costs on your wedding. For example, your guests can take home their photo cards from your photobooth as a souvenir. Other small gifts need not be expensive either. Think of a bag of flower seeds, or an edible or drinkable thank-you gift, such as macaroons, a candy bag or a bottle of ‘hangover water’. Extra fun: attach a personal message to your gifts - this means a lot and doesn't have to cost a lot.
Good luck - you've got this!
xoxo,
Your Wedding Budget Bestie,
House of Weddings
Read more on this topic via these links:
These 15 unexpected costs for your wedding you'll want to know!
- We, engage a wedding planner?
- Expert Wedding Planning Tips for a smooth collaboration with your suppliers
- Make it easy on yourself and your guests: opt for an online RSVP!
