9 Cost-Saving Venue Tips
Photo by koesbong
Ceremony and reception venues form a huge expense. By cutting back these costs, you can spend more on other areas of the wedding or just save yourself some pocket money. Here are nine great ways to save.
1. Forget About Prime Time
Weekend weddings in the months of June and July are by far the most popular and venues get away with charging a premium. Consider getting married in winter or fall. These seasons will give you lower rates. Be wary though of scheduling your wedding around holidays such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day, as you will still have to fork out big bucks!
2. Get to the Church on Time
Booking the ceremony at the church you attend on a regular basis may also save you some dollars. Some parishes marry their members for free and if they won’t, they’re likely to only ask for a small donation. Churches hold weddings all the time and may have decorations already available; another saving for you.
3. Marry in the Park
Many parks will not charge you for being married there unless you want to rent a certain piece of the park, such as a gazebo or a bridge, where the charge again is usually nominal. Getting married in a beautiful park will also save you money on decorations, as Mother Nature will do most of the work for you!
4. Call On Those You Know
If you have a friend that owns a business such as a restaurant or manages a hotel, call them and find out if they can offer you any discounts. If the friend is in the wedding party, you could make a trade-off such as buying their bridesmaid dress.
5. Think Outside of the Box
It’s very common for couples to get married in hotels or in churches. Choosing a location that is off the beaten path may lead you to many deals. Even restaurants, which often hold wedding receptions, might be willing to give you a deal if the two of you met there. Just remember that the more foreign it seems, the more the company is likely to want to promote their own business, which should translate to a saving for you.
6. Go Home
Holding your reception, at a friend’s or relative’s home is a great way to save money. There are still costs associated with this such as decorations, seating and sound systems but you will probably save money in the long run!
7. Cut the Guest List
Not inviting everyone you’ve known since kindergarten will save you money in every aspect of your wedding and this starts with choosing the venue. It’s simple, really. The less people that attend, the smaller the space you will need and the less you will be charged.
8. Consider Packages
If you really have your heart set on getting married in that big, fancy hotel that you’ve always dreamed of or your guest list is large and you need room to accommodate everyone, look into packages. Many of the big hotels offer packages when the couple decides to hold their ceremony and reception at their location. Some hotels may even beef up the packages to include deals and discounts on your honeymoon.
9. Elope
It’s much cheaper for two people to have the ceremony, and say their vows rather than fit one hundred people into a church and again into a hotel ballroom. If the thought of sharing this special day with only your betrothed and maybe one or two members of your family sounds good to you, elopement is becoming increasingly popular and can save you a ton of money.
