Wedding money-saving tricks that actually work
Wedding planning is challenging, stressful at times, and can be painful for the wallet. But when you’re planning a wedding for hundreds of guests (the bulk of which is family you cannot not invite), everything is next level. That was what my husband Roby and I had to deal with almost three years ago when we got married.
Choosing the non-negotiables
Dealing with a large guest list meant the wedding-related expenses were through the roof, and we badly wanted to cut costs where we could.
There were non-negotiables that we definitely splurged on. One was catering because no one wanted guests to remember their wedding for having bad food. Another was the wedding photographer because—as my parents pointedly insisted on—the pictures are what we have left of the wedding that we could go back to as the years go by.
Once we had our non-negotiables squared away, it was time to figure out where we could get more creative. Along the way, we both realized that doing so meant not only cutting down our expenses—it was also an opportunity to give our wedding more personality so it would feel more like us.
The wedding gown is the afterparty dress
While it’s totally okay for a bride to want to have multiple outfit changes for her wedding, one way to save money is to just wear your wedding gown all the way to the afterparty.
For those who are not brand-conscious, look around—especially on social media—for young, up-and-coming designers who are so talented and can work within a budget.
Don’t stuff your cocktail hour with too much food
Stuffing your cocktail hour with too much food risks having guests who are too full for dinner. This means wasting the catered meal you’re paying a lot for.
Don’t hire a professional host for your reception
The host is one of the trickier decisions to make for the reception. You don’t want a host who’s too loud and unnatural or who’ll make the crowd cringe and lose interest, but you also don’t want a host who has no personality whatsoever.
Instead of taking a gamble by hiring a host we’re unsure of, we decided to look among our family and friends for someone who’s willing to take on the challenge of hosting our reception.
We quickly realized the benefits of making that decision. As a good friend to us both, one of the groomsmen, Dr. Eljohn Yee, knew us better than any hired host ever would. He already knew our family and some of the guests, the story of our relationship, and many other details that made his hosting feel more personal.
And to avoid any conflicts and hurt feelings, iron out all the details with your chosen friend or family member. This includes whether compensation is involved or not.
Need entertainment? Look among family and friends again
Live performances can definitely add oomph to your reception and afterparty, but it isn’t necessary to hire professional performers.
Roby managed to get two of his friends, the father-and-son duo of Joseph and Benjie Olfindo, to sing with him during the reception. The whole performance came across as more personal and heartfelt, especially when—in a completely spontaneous turn of events—Roby got to sing a song with his dad.
A gentle reminder to future brides and grooms
Whether you’re planning a huge, lavish celebration or a smaller, more intimate one, the most striking lesson I learned from planning my wedding is that, at the end of the day, it’s all about you and your spouse.
While you’ll encounter many opinions (my mom and I butted heads over my wedding gown, for example) and even family politics along the way, it’s important to remember that it’s your wedding. It’ll be one of the most important and special days of your life. It shouldn’t feel like anyone else’s day but yours.
Do what you feel is right for you and your partner, even when it’s easier said than done. Your wedding, your rules.
