Realistic Ways to Save on Your Wedding | From Cakes to Bridesmaid Robes

On average, Americans spend $28,000 on weddings, and some go beyond. There’s no shame in admitting you may not be able to spend for such a price or go beyond the average. Or for some reason, you might have decided to make your wedding expenditures as low as possible. Weddings don’t have to be as expensive as most people say should be.
From the engagement, you will have to get to the point of reality—discussing finances with your fiance as soon as possible so that you will have more time to prepare. Here is a wedding budget guide for you to save on any expenses, from cakes, flowers, and bridal dresses, to bridesmaid robes:

Plan First
Of course, the first step is to sit down for it with your significant other and make a realistic budget goal. Discuss how much you would have to save and what sacrifices you can make to reach the goal amount, but not too much that you would be killing both of your enjoyment. You can downgrade the many subscriptions you have, swap expensive holidays for more affordable ones, simply make a coffee at home than buy outside, have your date nights at home, and more.

Make a list of the items really required for a wedding, such as a venue for the ceremony and reception, bridal gown, bridesmaid robes, flower girl dresses, flowers, cakes, and more. Get the vendor’s contact details and reach them as soon as possible to get a rough estimate of how much you may have to spend.
Take note that if you fail to plan how you will save, you plan to fail at your wedding. Take a realistic look at your finances and make an achievable goal. Whatever budget you have agreed on, give it an extra for unexpected costs as life doesn’t always go as planned.

Ask for Parents’ Help or Don’t Refuse Offers
When it comes to weddings, truth is, you don’t have to shoulder the expenses on your own. Many couples ask or accept help from their parents or other family members, so don’t shy out from asking for help too. Prepare your budget plan and research first when approaching your parents for financial support, so you can show them in which areas you will need help.
Ask conscientiously as money is a sensitive topic, maintaining a positive attitude and an open mind. If they accept your offer, make sure to take into consideration their suggestions for your wedding and keep them updated with how their money goes. If they don’t for personal reasons, such as being tight on a budget for themselves, then you can redirect their help to the other matters of your wedding.

Go Paperless or Print Your Own Invitations
To save on stationery and postage, you can go paperless, sending electronic messages via email. This is an easier way to manage your guest list and track your RSVPs too. Or you can make your own wedding invitations, scour templates from the internet, and print them at home by yourself.

Go DIY on Your Wedding Gifts
Talking about DIY invitation-making, you can make wedding gifts by yourself too. Wedding gifts aren’t really a requirement, but they sure are great items to show appreciation to your guests who have taken the time even to travel long distances just to attend your special day.
Before diving into a project, make sure to research it first and try making one so you don’t start on something that will actually just consume all your time, as assembling can be really an exhausting process. Make sure to buy samples of your DIY materials first too so you get all things straight and consistent.

Take note that you don’t have to do the assembling and wrapping by yourself. Enlist your friends’ help, such as by throwing an assembling party with snacks, drinks, and all. Preparing for your wedding should not have to be draining on your part—don’t forget to also have fun.

Buy Bridesmaid Robes in Bundles Online
And if you also have in mind to also give lasting gifts aside from wedding favors in the form of bridesmaid robes, there are so many affordable bridesmaids robes set of 6 out there online. Make sure to shop ahead of time and buy in bundles as most online shops offer discounts when you buy in bulk.
The kind of fabric you use choose makes a difference in the price too, pure silk and satin silk are among the expensive types, and since you are trying to save up, opt for synthetic satin robes that are lighter yet provide the same gloss, comfort, drape, and elegance that their silk variations are characterized of.

Negotiate with Your Vendors
If you are working with a wedding manager, they can find ways around making do with your budget and use alternative packages or services instead. But if the role falls on you and your fiance, search for vendors that offer affordable prices. Flowers, cakes, and decors are some aspects you can really save on.
Be practical in your choice of flowers. Instead of those out in season, which are more expensive, settle on green foliage or those on their peak—green foliage tends to be cheaper. You can also opt for a larger flower such as a hydrangea as they take up more space and look fuller. And while you’re at it, scout for the shop’s excess inventory too, as mostly, they are more willing to give them away at cheaper prices or for free.

Regarding cake, go for shorter ones, up to two tiers. Store-bought cake can be really cheaper too. Or you can also go as far as going for cake alternatives, such as doughnut bars, gelato carts, cupcakes, a stack of lamingtons, milk, cookie stations, and more.

Make the Wedding Day Mid-Week
Weekend weddings are more expensive than mid-week—ceremony and reception venues alike. If you switch your wedding day to midweek, you can really see the difference in the costs.

Save on Your Bridal Dress
There’s no reason not to go pricey on this aspect as you would want to look your best on your wedding day, but if you allocate less money on it, then you can go look in department stores for a white dress at their party dress section. Look for bridal consignments too, which have a lot of bridal dresses that were never worn or just worn once. After the wedding, you can also resell your dress on those websites.

A Lot of Ways to Save on the Venue

It’s a great idea too to hold both your ceremony and reception in the same place to save on travel costs and avoid having to book for two places. Venues that are already stunning as they are and only need a few additional decorations such as a few flowers are amazing options to save too. Simply making use of the venue’s resources than having to put all other items in their place can really trim your overall costs.
Saving on your wedding day is a choice as long as you and your fiance wholeheartedly agree with the idea. Rack up local vendors and think out of the box. What matters are you truly enjoy your wedding day.