Whether it’s a statement flower wall to rival Kim and Kanye’s wild wall of blossoms, not one, not two, but three breathtaking wedding gowns à la Chrissy Teigen or Serena Williams, or simply a princess-worthy diamond tiara, chances are you have something extravagant in mind for your wedding day. But here’s the thing: all that style comes at a hefty price.
Our editors teamed up with some of the best wedding pros from coast to coast—florists, planners, chefs, mixologists, cake bakers, you name it—to compile a definitive list of been-there, done-that advice on how to save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on your wedding.
From $500 off your wedding gown to $3 off each slice of wedding cake (that’s $300 per 100 guests! ), it’s safe to say that this list will help the two of you save a lot of money. What’s even better? These suggestions will allow you to save money without losing flair.
Take a look at the other days of the week.
You will save thousands of dollars on your wedding location and your weekday rehearsal dinner if you have your wedding on a Friday. Even better: a wedding on a Sunday. Site fees can be as low as $4,000, with lesser food and beverage minimums, which is ideal for smaller gatherings.
Love the beauty of letterpress but can’t afford it for your wedding invitation suite? Spend a little more on the main invitation, but go for less expensive flat printing for the insert cards to save up to $500 per 100 invitations. —Swiss Cottage Designs, Brooklyn, NY, Courtney Jentzen
Carefully select your card stock.
Use two-ply for your invites and one-ply for the remainder of the insert cards if you prefer the look and feel of thicker paper stock. For every 100 invitations, you’ll save $275. —Erica Henriksen, Syracuse, NY-based Bella Figura
Link to your wedding website for your guests.
When it comes to your wedding invitation suite, having a single insert directing guests to your wedding website instead of multiple cards for your other events—such as the rehearsal dinner, welcome party, or day-after brunch—as well as logistics, such as transportation and details about the hotel room block you’ve set up for your guests—can save you as much as $800.
Get a Head Start on Your Dress Shopping
Order your wedding gown at least eight or nine months in advance to avoid up to $500 in rush fees and $100 to $300 in last-minute modifications.
Keep an eye out on social media for deals (and sales).
Follow your favorite local bridal salons on social media to learn about trunk shows and sample sales, as well as special offers such as 10% off your gown, 20% off jewelry, or a free veil with gown purchase.
Save A Trunk Show is a gathering of people who come to see what’s new in fashion.
You might save anywhere from $150 to $500 on your gown if you shop at a designer trunk display. Some salons may also throw in free customizations, such as a neckline modification, a size adjustment, or a veil, which could save you another $150 to $800.