even a budget wedding can add up… and up… and up. generally i know what i want for the wedding – and how to keep costs down – but sometimes i have moments like, “i want ALL the fairy lights in the world! all of them.” so it’s a fine line to balance, and scouring wedding websites or pinterest boards either helps a lot or doesn’t help at all. so i thought i’d share some of the cost-cutting ideas i’ve found online with you, in case you’re in the same boat.
you can see more wedding ideas as i collect them over at my pinterest.
1. Get a vintage dress. I have been swoooooning over the dresses over at Dear Golden’s bridal shop. she had one gorgeous number from the 30s which is now unfortunately sold (of course, boo). but the shop gets updated all the time, so just keep checking in. note this cute bride wearing Dear Golden vintage.
2. Jazz up your hair. there are lots of people on Etsy who sell nice lookin’ veils and cool things for your hair – at reasonable prices. check out this veil (left) and this Grecian headpiece (right). see more of my posts about doing your hair here and here.
3. Wear sandals! if you’re wearing a long dress why not just wear some comfortable, beautiful sandals – no one’s going to see your feet anyway. hell, wear sandals even if you’re wearing a short dress. that way you can wear them again, and again, and again… left: Veronique Branquinho sandals and right: Ancient Greek sandals.
4. Simple Invites. there are some great resources online to design your own simple invites – A Subtle Revelry has an entire series dedicated to rad fonts you can use. i like the look of these simple invites by Seaborn Press.
5. Use Technology. we’re not actually having invitations printed at all – but going for a wedding website instead. it’s the tech side of me coming out, plus it can work out cheaper if you do it yourself. there are some wedding websites that offer this service, but i find most of them pretty naff. i’d suggest going with Squarespace and using a beautiful theme like Beatrice (this couple actually used it for their wedding website!)
also, if you can’t afford a wedding photographer (or if you just want all the photos of your wedding in existence) – get the Wedding Party App and invite your friends to take & share photos on the day.
6. DIY wreaths & garlands. you can save a ton by not involving a florist – so if you’re inclined to do some floral styling, get some local & seasonal flowers and greenery and make your own wreaths or floral garlands.
7. While you’re at it make some floral name tags. left: by Dietland Wolf and right: mini wreaths by {frolic!} (obviously write people’s names on there… unless you want to wish them a happy holiday. in which case, go forth!)
8. Keep your tables simple. forget themes and colour palettes and wedding favours and all that jazz – just make your tables simple and beautiful. maybe do a DIY table runner or just tie some herbs to your paper menus.
9. Two birds, one stone. print your menus on paper bags and throw a snack (or fries) in there. if you’re going to have wine on the tables, double the bottles up as table numbers.
10. Serve pizza! i LOVE this idea. seen at Andrew & Savanah’s wedding photographed by Lad and Lass.
do you have any DIY / cost-cutting tips to share from your own wedding?
