Wedding Tricks That’ll Save You $5,000
Planning your wedding? Let me let you in on two big secrets that could save you thousands—and no, they don’t involve DIY flower meltdowns or cutting your guest list in half (unless you want to). These tricks are simple, stress-saving, and can easily shave $5,000 or more off your wedding budget. Ready? Let’s go.
Trick #1: Have Your Ceremony, Reception, and Getting Ready All at the Same Location
This is hands-down one of the biggest money—and sanity—savers. Choosing a venue where you can get ready, say your vows, and dance the night away without switching locations saves you money on:
- Transportation for you, your wedding party, and your photographer
- Additional setup costs for multiple venues
- Lost photo time driving between locations
- Extra vendor hours that often get tacked on just because of logistics
Not to mention… it’s just easier. Less chaos, more calm. And that shows up in your photos—trust me.
Trick #2: Don’t Overbook Your Photographer for Reception Coverage
I say this with love: you don’t need 3+ hours of reception dancing photos. The best moments—first dance, parent dances, cake cutting, toasts, and maybe a sparkler exit—typically happen in the first 60–90 minutes.
After that? You’ve got a lot of sweaty group shots of people with drinks in hand and shoes off. Fun? Yes. Do you need hundreds of those photos? Probably not.
Cutting back on reception coverage can save you a few hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on your photographer’s hourly rate.
(PS—This is something I happily talk through with my couples when we build their timeline together.)
Bonus Trick #3: Choose a Mini Wedding or Intimate Celebration
More couples are skipping the traditional big wedding in favor of mini weddings—and for good reason. With 20–50 guests, you get to:
- Spend more quality time with the people who matter most
- Ditch the massive catering bill
- Book smaller venues or even Airbnb-style properties
- Focus your budget on the things you really care about (like dreamy photos, your dream dress, or a private chef dinner)
Mini weddings still pack all the emotion, joy, and celebration—just without the overwhelming price tag.
Bonus Trick #4: Think Weekday or Off-Season
Saturdays in peak wedding season (looking at you, spring and fall) come with premium price tags. Venues and vendors often offer discounted rates for weekdays or off-season dates (like January or summer in Florida). You might be surprised how much you can save by shifting your date just a little.
Bottom line?
Weddings don’t have to break the bank to be beautiful, meaningful, and unforgettable. With a few strategic choices, you can have the wedding you actually want—and still have room in your budget for a honeymoon, house down payment, or just a really nice dinner after all is said and done.
Need help figuring out a package that fits your vision and budget?
