Weddings shouldn’t bankrupt the bride and groom. I’ve got some great tips on how to save on your big day this week on The Payoff.
Use a decoy cake. I’ve talked to a lot of brides about the cake. A lot. And they all tell me that at 6 bucks a slice, it’s a big waste of money. Instead, buy a smaller, fancy cake for cutting. Then order a large, no-frills sheet cake to cut up in the kitchen for guests.
Go digital. For $40, I signed up for an app called Appy Couple. It sounds corny, but it’s actually saving us a ton of cash. We don’t have to spend money on RSVP cards because people can RSVP directly on the app or the free website that comes with it. There is a bunch of other wedding planning apps and websites out there if you’re tech savvy.
Choose whatever flowers are in season. Getting married in October? Don’t go for June or blooms like daisies or orchids. You’ll save a lot by choosing flowers that are already in abundance during your wedding season.
Better yet, buy your flowers wholesale. Skip the florist.You can buy flowers in bulk from wholesale shops like Costco, BJs or even Walmart. Use them for bouquets, centerpieces or just about any other decor you need.
Use the 6-month rule. This is my favorite way to trim the guest list. If you haven’t seen or spoken to this person in 6 months, you probably shouldn’t invite them to your wedding.
Get out of town. Destination weddings can be way more affordable because guest lists tend to be smaller. Most resorts will have a robust wedding planning team and plenty of packages to fit your budget. They also take much of the hard work off your hands -- from catering and decor to photography and DJ services, they’ll have you covered.
Get married any day but Saturday. We shaved $3,000 off our wedding venue by choosing a Friday instead of a Saturday wedding. Sundays can be even cheaper at some venues.
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Mandi Woodruff is a reporter for Yahoo Finance and host of Brown Ambition, a weekly podcast about career and finance. Follow her on Tumblr or Facebook.