Creative ways to save for your wedding (without sacrificing fun!)

Let’s be real: weddings can get expensive. Fast. We look at creative ways to save for your wedding that you can do with your partner, family, friends, or by yourself. 

Throwing a beautiful, meaningful celebration doesn’t have to drain your savings or max out your credit card. We aren’t about taking personal loans to pay for the candles. No, no. We believe that with a little creativity, some clever timing, and a DIY mindset, you can save thousands while still planning a wedding that feels entirely yours.

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Whether you’re leaning into the handmade, secondhand, or slightly unconventional, these budget-friendly ideas prove that spending less can actually make your day more personal and memorable. From homemade favours to op-shop decor, here are some of the smartest (and most charming) ways to save while planning the wedding of your dreams.

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Make (or bake!) your own party favours

Homemade jams, cookies, infused oils, honey, potted succulents. These are all incredibly easy things to make at home, and are a heartfelt way to say “thank you” to your guests. Personalise them further by putting them into jars with each guests’ name on it and a handwritten note about your relationship with them. 

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Choose a midweek date

Saturdays are the most popular day to get married, followed closely by Friday. But did you know that a midweek wedding is a better option for your wallet? Venues and vendors will offer discounted rates – meaning if your dream venue or caterer is a little above your budget, don’t shift your vision – just your day!

Buy secondhand outfits

The secondhand dress market is a popular one! And for good reason. Wedding dresses are a one-time occasion outfit but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find one that’s pre-loved. Particularly if you’re planning an outfit change, pinch your pennies by jumping onto Depop or Vinted to find your dream dress – it just might have been worn once before.

Thrift your decor

Another tick for the secondhand market – styling can add up, even if being rented. If you want to add your own flair and quirk by going vintage shopping you’ll be able to source some incredibly unique and fun add-ons. Vintage markets, op shops, and garage sales are goldmines for candle holders, vases, table linens, and quirky extras. Mix-and-match = charm.

Ditch the traditional cake

Wedding cakes are opulent, stylish and can come at a cost. If you’re not the sweetest tooth or not that invested in cutting the cake, then swap out the cake for something a little more pocket-friendly: doughnuts, a big brownie slab, or a potluck where everyone brings their own dessert and creates a dessert table out of it.

Skip printed menus and invitations

Go ecofriendly and economically safe by going digital! Save money on printing by setting up a wedding website and communicating with your guests through this platform. It saves money on postage and printing. 

Let the guests know what the menus will be on the wedding website prior to the event, and skip printed menus – they’re not necessary.

Hire a friend with a good eye

Lean on your village! Do you know florists, photographers, or musicians? Asking your friends will give them a chance to showcase their skills and can save you a pretty penny. Exchange the services in lieu of a wedding gift and you’ll be even.

Use Spotify 

Speaking of DJs, although they can be a real mood-setter, they can be expensive. If you’re really keen to have some killer music, make a Spotify playlist and run it through. Curate a playlist together with your partner and get your guests to input a song each. Hand it off to a trusted friend with a speaker. It keeps the vibes personal, and saves you a big vendor cost.

Rethink flowers

Weddings go hand-in-hand with ornate floral decorations, but they don’t have to be! Not every wedding needs to have flowers sky-high. Use dried flowers, local greenery, or even fabric flowers for centrepieces and bouquets. They last forever and look just as striking.

Minimal guestlist, maximum impact

Trimming the guest list even slightly (from 100 to 80, for example) can free up room in your budget for meaningful extras.

Although wedding costs can add up, you can always take some cost-cutting measures that also mean fun times with your partner, family and friends creating your wedding; from flowers to favours. Smaller budget doesn’t mean any less wedding.

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