Did you catch our Savings Segment this morning on Fox 13? We are honored to be a featured on Good Day Tampa Bay each Sunday to share our knowledge about coupons and how to get the most for your money!
This week’s topic was all about saving on your wedding day without sacrificing your dreams! The average wedding costs thousands of dollars ($24,000 to be precise) and aside from your home and cars, it will probably be the biggest expense of your married life! If you could shave a few hundred to a few thousand dollars off of your wedding bill without sacrificing your dream wedding, you would wouldn’t you?
Here is a little more information for you:
- Having a Wedding in the off season – Just like vacations there is a prime wedding season and an off season. Off season weddings will save you thousands. If you still want a Spring wedding (the most popular season for weddings) the day of the week plays a significant role in how much you will pay. Sunday wedding receptions can be 10-15% cheaper than a more popular Saturday wedding reception. If you have 200 guests and can save $5 a plate by having it on an off day, or at lunch time instead of dinner, that’s an easy $1000 savings just on the food!
- Flowers – These are a huge expense at every wedding, but no one ever wants to skip them. Yes, silk is cheaper, but I am trying to give you creative ideas you never thought of!
Selecting local and seasonal flowers for your wedding table decor will save a significant amount of money over exotic varieties.
Is anyone REALLY looking at the groomsmen’s flowers? Assign one of your bridesmaids to run to the grocery store the night before your wedding and buy a dozen roses. Then clip and pin. The average boutonniere runs around $7, so saving here means you can spend elsewhere! - Cake – The more height, the more money―it takes more labor to build a taller cake so therefore it costs more. When I got married, and we went for cake tastings… Publix was truly a contender.
Have a small cake – Have a wonderfully decorated, yet smaller cake set on risers for display that’s used for cutting, and then have a sheet cake in the kitchen for serving.
Have a Faux Cake – Another money-saving trend becoming popular is to have a gorgeous faux cake! The top layer of the cake is actual wedding cake and the rest is frosted cardboard. Again, guests are served the sheet cake from the kitchen.
Frugal Cake Choices – choose a cake on risers vs layered, buttercream over fondant, and choose unfilled over filled. - Invitations, Package Deals – Many brides think only about the invitations themselves, but save-the-dates, programs, table cards, place cards, and thank-you notes are other potential needs before, during, and after the event. Plan ahead, and have one vendor print everything at once.
Avoid Surprise Postage – Don’t let the US Postal Service tack on extra charges for odd shaped cards! And adding additional frills to envelope exteriors will also up the postage. So stick to simple, standard size envelopes to avoid paying more.
Minimize – Do you really need individual place cards? Have one beautifully printed table seating chart near the front door of the reception hall and then one list on each table. No need for individual separate cards. These days, invitations really don’t need two envelopes, and multiple cards for ceremony and reception details can often be overwhelming and easy to lose. Also, consider a postcard for save-the-dates and response cards so you don’t have to pay for envelopes and higher priced stamps. - The Dress, Shop Designer or Sample Sales – Find out the dates of well-known annual sales, also called “trunk sales”, where you can snag a $2,000 dress for $249. Shop the sample sales at your favorite Bridal Store. You can save up to 70% on gowns, headpieces, veils and shoes at a sample sale. Look for the touring list on your favorite designers’ websites, or get on the mailing list at bridal gown salons.
Visit Gown Shows – BridesAgainstBreastCancer.org is a Non-Profit based out of Sarasota, that receives donated dresses from tons of designers. Then they hold shows in select cities (Orlando & Palm Beach Gardens in July, or Jacksonville in Sept) where you can shop and buy right then. You will pay a fraction of the true cost, and all the proceeds go to fighting Breast Cancer. The admission is a $5 tax deductable donation. Get more info on their website – bridesagainstbreastcancer.org.
Look for a vintage or consignment store that carries wedding dresses. Most of them have only been worn once!
Basically, with a little extra time, you can save thousands on your big day, still have the wedding of your dreams – and your guests will never know the difference!
~Happy Wedding Shopping & Saving!
