Money-saving tips for weddings and other special functions

Money saving tips for weddings and other special functions, Laughing Chefs caterers blog
  1. Have a weekday wedding, or at least a Friday instead of a Saturday
  2. Get married in the winter months instead of the summer
  3. Go digital with your save the dates
  4. Go digital with your invitations, doing printed invites only for your parents, grandparents and yourself as a keepsake
  5. Use a printable invite
  6. For your printed invitations, stay with one colour design
  7. Go for a buffet meal to cut down on the cost of waiting staff
  8. Cut down on your guest list
  9. Favours are unnecessary. Want to give something? Give something edible
  10. Opt for more candles instead of more flowers
  11. Go for fairy lights to help create mood and effect
  12. Choosing rectangular tables means you can have smaller centrepieces
  13. Don’t skimp on your food or the photographer
  14. Have a wine table instead of wine on each table
  15. Don’t have an open bar – rather buy a number of drinks that guests can help themselves to
  16. Rent a house in an exotic location, use it as the venue and double it as accommodation as well as your honeymoon!
  17. Use a venue that does not force you to make use of their suppliers or vendors
  18. Have your reception in a restaurant
  19. Do your own flowers
  20. Use paper or cloth flower alternatives
  21. Instead of posies have bridesmaids carry something different e.g. a lantern or small handbag
  22. Have the maid of honour carry a small handbag instead of a flower posie; she can then carry all the items needed in your emergency kit
  23. Buy your decor instead of hiring, then sell it afterwards
  24. Go for wooden tables so that no tablecloths are needed
  25. If you have to cover your tables, only use a tablecloth and skip a runner or overlay
  26. Don’t do printed programs
  27. Skip the wedding car
  28. Don’t spend too much on your chapel flowers and decor
  29. Food served family style means you cut down on centrepieces and table decor
  30. Weigh up hiring a wedding planner versus doing it yourself
  31. Have a budget and stick to it!
  32. Choose a venue that already includes some things e.g. the tables
  33. Do a menu board instead of individually printed menus
  34. Have more guests per table, meaning fewer tables in total
  35. Go for a morning or brunch wedding
  36. Use what the venue already have
  37. Make it personal so you can use things you already have
  38. Reduce the “plus ones”
  39. DIY as much as you can, from the table numbers to the signs
  40. Use seasonal flowers
  41. Go green! Foilage instead of flowers
  42. Borrow your jewellery
  43. Let bridesmaids pick (and pay) for their own dresses
  44. Maybe skip the champagne for a toast – guests will already have a drink to toast with
  45. Don’t pay for something that most guests won’t even notice
  46. Skip the 2nd bouquet for the tossing, rather use the bridesmaid’s posy or a single flower
  47. Skip the carpet down the aisle, rather go for flower petals
  48. Combine the post-ceremony snacks and starters, or choose one and make it great
  49. Don’t do destination or out of town
  50. Outside ceremony can mean more money – keep it inside
  51. Don’t invite kids
  52. Make sure kids are charged differently
  53. Don’t go over time – most venues charge per hour after 00h
  54. Make your own cake or order a dummy cake and make the rest yourself
  55. Skip dessert and just serve cake
  56. Skip cake and do a dessert bar
  57. Make your own photobooth
  58. Skip the crazy lights and smoke machine
  59. Skip signature cocktails
  60. Don’t do pairings
  61. Go with 1 white and 1 red wine, that is enough choice
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