50 SAVE WAYS TO

It’s a budget-friendly quickfire that has the potential to save you hundreds. What are you waiting for?

1Avoidingtoo large of a gap between your ceremony and reception means your guests will make less of a dent in the bar tab. Aim to keep cocktail hour to exactly that – one hour – so guests aren’t chugging back the booze out of boredom.

2Instead of racking up hundreds in postage fees, send your guests pretty digital invitations via email. Good for your budget and the environment. Look at specialist sites such as evite.com and paperlesspost.com. If you’re handy with a video camera, you could even film a lighthearted wedding invitation video that can be sent to guests.

34Instead of printing order- of- service cards, position a blackboard at the entrance to your ceremony that lists all the essential information. Do the same for your menu.

5BY SERVING YOUR MEAL FAMILY STYLE (SO EACH TABLE SHARES PLATTERS, INSTEAD OF MEALS BEING INDIVIDUALLY PLATED) YOUR MENU WILL WORK OUT CHEAPER PER HEAD. SAVE EVEN MORE BY OPTING FOR A BUFFET MEAL.

6Can’t quite get on board with e-vites? Stick with a beautifully designed physical invitation, but ask guests to reply via email, so there’s no need to include an extra RSVP card or pre-paid postage.

7WORK WITH YOUR FLORIST TO DREAM UP BOTANICAL ARRANGEMENTS THAT WILL WORK FOR BOTH YOUR CEREMONY AND RECEPTION SPACE – JUST BE SURE TO ENLIST THE HELP OF A FRIEND WHO CAN SAFELY TRANSPORT THE BLOOMS FROM VENUE TO VENUE.

8Your bouquets, too, can work double duty: after the ceremony, cluster your bridesmaid bouquets in a collection of vases to create your head table centrepiece.

9Before you start the great gown hunt, spend time researching some designers you like the look of, and hit ‘follow’ on their social media channels – you might stumble upon a local sample or trunk sale, and score the dress of your dreams at a heavily reduced price.

10Instead of offering a fully stocked bar, stick to a few of your favourite beer and wine options. Keep the liquor drinkers happy with a few simple mixed options ( give them the choice of a classic vodka lime soda and a gin and tonic, for example) or a single signature cocktail of your choosing. OPTING FOR A CASUAL CEREMONY VIBE? SAVE ON FURNITURE HIREAGE COSTS BY HAVING GUESTS STAND WHILE YOU SAY “I DO”. IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT YOUR ELDERLY GUESTS, OR THOSE WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE TROUBLE STANDING, ARRANGE A FEW SEATS UP THE FRONT THAT THEY CAN USE.

11When setting up the champagne toast, instruct wait staff to only fill glasses a quarter or half full. After having only a sip of their toast champagne, many guests will stick to the beer or wine they have already been drinking at cocktail hour – leaving the rest of that precious bubbles to go to waste.

1213If live music is non-negotiable, find a band who can cover both the ceremony and reception, so you don’t have to pay two sets of call- out and mileage fees.

14Trimmingthe guest list is a surefire way to reduce your catering spend. Avoid offence by eliminating entire groups at a time (for example, all children, everyone from your football team, or all of your work colleagues).

15Scrap the expensive bridal hire car, and dress up a friend or family member’s car instead.

16Hire a quality photographer, but have them cover six hours of your day instead of twelve.

17SCHEDULE TOASTS, THE CAKE CUTTING AND BOUQUET TOSS FOR SOON AFTER DINNER, SO THE PHOTOGRAPHER CAN CAPTURE THOSE MOMENTS AND LEAVE. GET YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO SNAP PHOTOS OF THE LATER HOURS OF THE RECEPTION, AND HAVE THEM UPLOAD THE IMAGES TO A CENTRAL FOLDER ON GOOGLE DOCS OR DROPBOX SO THEY CAN BE SHARED AROUND.

18Aslong as you can afford to pay it off in a timely manner, settle all of your wedding spend on a credit card with a good rewards scheme. You can put your rewards dollars towards honeymoon flights or accommodation.

19Wearing a long gown? Don’t spend hundreds on shoes. Find a simple, pretty pair at a more cost- effective store.

20Consider where your friends and family could help. Do you have a cousin who’s a talented musician, or a high school bestie who’s a graphic designer? When it comes to a wedding, people are thrilled to help – and it never hurts to ask. ORDER A ONE-TIER WEDDING CAKE FOR CUTTING INSTEAD OF A LARGE, ELABORATELY DECORATED CREATION. SUPPLEMENT IT WITH A LARGE SHEET CAKE IN THE SAME FLAVOUR – ONCE THE CAKE IS CUT INTO SLICES, GUESTS WON’T KNOW THEY AREN’T EATING THE CAKE YOU CUT. GO EVEN FURTHER AND SKIP THE DESSERT COURSE, SIMPLY SERVING YOUR CAKE WITH FRESH BERRIES AND CREAM.

21Timingis everything – don’t marry on the most popular days of the week (Friday and Saturday), or on dates such as February 14. Avoid peak season from November to March, and opt for a cosy autumn or winter celebration instead.

22Instead of having a large bridal party, appoint only a best man and maid of honour – it’ll mean fewer gowns and suits to buy.

23Visita makeup artist at the counter of your local department store – try MAC, Benefit or Bobbi Brown. The cost (usually around $90) is totally redeemable on product – so that’s a new big day lippy and some touch-up powder for your bridal beauty bag sorted.

24

Decorate your venue with lush greenery such as herbs and leafy branches – they’re less expensive than flowers. Arrange in borrowed or rented vases, baskets or terracotta pots.

25Choose

a wedding venue that allows you to BYO and stock up on beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages during supermarket sales.

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INSTEAD OF HAVING A DESSERT COURSE, INVITE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO CONTRIBUTE TO A TABLE FULL OF HOME-BAKED GOODIES. LABEL EACH BAKED GOOD WITH PERSONALISED SIGNS – “GRANDMA HELEN’S CARAMEL SLICE” OR “ROSS’ LEMON MERINGUE PIE” TO ADD SOME FAMILY CHARM.

27Hire

classical music students from a local university to provide ceremony music at a discount rate.

28 29

Shop for bridesmaid dresses at end- of-season sales. Let your girls wear differing styles in the same shade or fabric and you’ll find you have lots more flexibility with stores – plus, they’ll be stoked to find something they can be happy to wear again.

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BY INSTRUCTING WAIT STAFF TO FILL WINE GLASSES UP THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT (INSTEAD OF LEAVING BOTTLES ON TABLES AND ALLOWING GUESTS TO DO SO THEMSELVES), YOUR ALCOHOL BILL WILL SHRINK SIGNIFICANTLY. THE AVERAGE WEDDING GUEST DRINKS HALF A BOTTLE OF WINE, WHICH MEANS A 150-PERSON WEDDING WILL NEED ABOUT 75 BOTTLES. HOWEVER, THAT NUMBER GOES UP BY ABOUT 25 PER CENT IF PEOPLE POUR THEIR OWN TIPPLE – THIS IS MOSTLY DUE TO WASTE.

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When talking to vendors, be upfront with your budget from the get- go. This means they should only present items to you that you can afford – so you don’t have to worry about falling in love with that bouquet that’s way out of reach, or that gown that’s emblazoned with Swarovski crystals, only to find out those dream buys fall outside of your price range. Be sure to avoid “just looking” at anything that you can’t afford.

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BY BEING SAVVY WHEN SIGNING ANY FORM OF CONTRACT, YOU’LL DODGE HIDDEN COSTS. THINK CAKECUTTING CHARGES AT THE VENUE, CORKAGE FEES, OR OVERTIME FEES FROM THE BAND OR PHOTOGRAPHER. GET YOUR EAGLE EYE ON AND PROOF READ CAREFULLY, BEING SURE TO ASK ABOUT THESE COMPONENTS EVEN IF NOTHING SEEMS TO BE STIPULATED IN WRITING. SET UP A CONSULTATION WITH A WEDDING PLANNER. THEY HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH SUPPLIERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND AS SEASONED HAGGLERS, MAY BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE WITH VENDORS TO ALIGN TO YOUR BUDGET. A GOOD OPTION IF YOU’RE SHORT ON TIME.

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Let simplicity be your buzzword by not letting yourself get talked into over-hiring. For example, on your tables, a wine and water glass are all you really need, and this will keep your tables from looking too busy.

34

ARE YOU AND YOUR GROOM, OR HIS MATES, KEEN ON FISHING? SEE IF YOUR CATERER WOULD BE OPEN TO USING FISH OR OTHER SEAFOOD THAT YOU CATCH YOURSELVES IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO “I DO”. A GOOD WAY TO JUSTIFY GETTING OUT ON THE WATER!

35

A big- on- character venue that doesn’t require extensive decorating will save you time and money. Think restaurants, museums or gardens. Although the upfront cost will be more than that of a blank venue, there’ll be less opportunity to overspend. Make sure the cost of furnishing is included in the fee.

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Before shelling out for expensive bridal jewellery, ask around your friends and family members to see if there are any special pieces you could borrow.

37

By keeping the look of your wedding relaxed, you can get away with a lot more DIY without it seeming out of place. Recruit a family member to make a rustically iced cake, and buy some blooms from the local wholesaler. You and your ’maids can create relaxed vase arrangements and bouquets.

38Make

stationery items do double duty: for instance, print each guest’s name at the top of the menu instead of printing separate place cards.

39

HAVING A CLEAR VISION FROM THE BEGINNING IS CRUCIAL TO SAVING BIG. WHAT PARTS OF YOUR WEDDING ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU? SIT DOWN AND RANK THEM TOP TO BOTTOM, ALLOWING YOURSELF TO SPEND ON THE COMPONENTS THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT, AND SKIMP RUTHLESSLY ON THE PARTS THAT AREN’T.

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Get creative with your centrepieces – instead of indulgent floral arrangements, cluster together candles, fruit or piles of your favourite vintage books.

41Think

seasonal and local: everywhere from your menu to your floral arrangement, any item that’s not easily sourced will translate directly to dollars spent.

42

TRY AND WORK WITH YOUR VENUE, NOT AGAINST IT. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU’VE CHOSEN A SUNSHINE YELLOW COLOUR THEME, BUT YOUR VENUE FEATURES A DARK BLUE WALL? CONSIDER SWAPPING YOUR PALETTE TO A CHEERY BLUE INSTEAD – YOU’LL NEED A LOT LESS DÉCOR TO ACHIEVE A FULL AND VIBRANT EFFECT.

43Keen

on including strings of fairy lights? Most of your friends and family members probably have Christmas tree lights – and unless you’re getting married in December, you can almost guarantee those lights will be tucked away in a storage cupboard on the day you say “I do”. Instead of hiring, ask around your circle – chances are you’ll end up with many more than you even need.

44Instead

of hiring expensive table cloths, shop the fabric sales – then on-sell your finds after “I do”.

45

CONSIDER TYING THE KNOT OVERSEAS. YOU’LL HAVE A MUCH SMALLER GUEST COUNT THAT INCLUDES JUST YOUR NEAREST AND DEAREST, AND CAN SAVE ON HONEYMOON AIR FARES BY ALREADY BEING IN YOUR DREAM DESTINATION.

46

Contact a local film school and see if there are any students who would like to capture your big day.

47

Recruit a well- organised friend to be your MC on the night. It’s the MC’s job to keep the day running to schedule – this will eliminate the risk of overtime fees.

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LOOK BEYOND THE BRIDAL GOWN SALON – THERE ARE MANY MAINSTREAM DESIGNERS WHO HAVE WHITE GOWNS AS PART OF THEIR COLLECTIONS. SHOP AROUND WITH AN OPEN MIND AND YOU’LL BE SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH YOU CAN SAVE.

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Choose a simple gown. Dresses often end up being expensive because of the intricate detailing involved in beading or lace appliqués. By simplifying the dress of your dreams, you’ll end up with a much smaller bill.

50

KEEP FAVOURS SIMPLE, IF YOU HAVE THEM AT ALL. FOR EXAMPLE, BAKE A LARGE SLAB OF GINGER CRUNCH AND CUT IT INTO BITE-SIZED SQUARES, THEN WRAP EACH PIECE IN CELLOPHANE.