What do you do if you want a Pinterest Worthy, Instagram trending and Facebook liked wedding, but don’t want to spend a fortune?  Here are a few money saving event tips.

Flowers and Decor

• Real flowers can be super costly so be careful.  To minimize the cost, choose only local in season flowers.  Below are three stunning examples of Kentucky-grown flower arrangements by Meadowview Flowers and Sara Jane Camacho.  If you have a green thumb you can use live plants like these succulents as decor and favors.  Also consider moving ceremony flowers to your reception so that you don’t have to buy flowers for both locations.  Bouquets can also be used for centerpieces after the ceremony like in the center photo below.
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• Use spray paint to make mismatch items more cohesive.  For example, if you have vases that don’t match each other or your theme colors, try spaying them all the same color.  You can even try spray paints with textures.
• Find used decor by asking on social media for what you need.  You may find someone who is willing to let you borrow, rent or buy for cheap.  You can also buy it locally through yard sales, thrift shops or Craigslist.  Tradesy and Ruffled offer lots of good options through an online peer-to-peer sales platform.
• Etsy is the go-to website for finding unique, custom and reasonably priced items.  We found our guest book on Etsy.
• Ask for advice or have them fill out a mad lib on your RSVP card then decorate with them to add a personal touch to your event.
• Reuse ceremony decor at the reception.  Be sure to have a team of able and willing people ready to handle this.

Food

• Use store bought or homemade food (check with your venue to make sure that’s an option…it is at Warrenwood!)
  

  Pie & Cupcake Table

  

  Beef Jerky Bar

  

  The Cookie Bar at our wedding included Granny Cookies, a family recipe from my mom’s side of the family.

  

  Appetizer Buffet

• Hold your event at a time people will not expect a full meal and serve light finger foods.  Our reception started around 3:30 pm so we just had both sweet and savory snack type foods such as popcorn, beef jerky, cupcakes, cookies and a charcuterie bar.
• Bring back the cake and punch reception.  My grandparents talk about how “in the good ole days”, weddings had cake and punch receptions instead of huge receptions.  To save money, you can bring back the tradition.  Tiered, fondant-covered cakes are the most expensive so you can opt for a small cake to cut along with cupcakes or sheet cakes for all the guests.
• Keep meat options to a minimum as they are usually the most expensive dishes.  This is great for the budget and for your vegetarian guests.
• Be conservative on your guest count.  Excess food as well as other expenses can be avoided if you can get an accurate guest count prior to the event.
• Make sure that your caterer doesn’t make any assumptions about what services you want from them.  For example, you may be able to save some money if you have a crew of guests that are willing to clear tables and pick up trash instead of paying the caterers to do it.  Also, discuss how the food will be displayed so that you aren’t paying for unnecessary items.

Rentals

• Be sure to shop around before you make any decisions.
• You don’t have to get everything from one place, but remember delivery charges can add up.
• If you have willing helpers pick up rentals yourself to avoid delivery fees.
• Instead of a photo booth, purchase Polaroid or disposable cameras to serve the same purpose.
• Some dry cleaners offer linen rental at a reasonable cost.  They may need to be steamed or ironed so just keep that in mind.
• Forgo rentals all together and opt for a picnic!

Check out some of our other posts, like The Wedding Dress and Host an Eco-Friendly Event, for additional money saving tips.

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