Many people think that it’s impossible to have a wedding without spending tens of thousands of dollars, but this is certainly not the case! Not only is elopement an option that works well for a lot of people, but you can also have a small wedding that is perfect for yourself and your future spouse. Even if you do dream of having a big fairytale wedding, it’s still possible to do so on a budget. If you need a little help, here are 3 ways to save money on your wedding.

Book Far Ahead Of Time

Sometimes if you book vendors far ahead of time, you’ll find that you’ll be able to get special deals and discounts. For instance, if you hire a wedding videographer a year out from your wedding the cost is likely to be much lower than if you wait to hire one until your wedding is just a couple of months away. Considering things like this can save you thousands of dollars in the end so it’s definitely worth thinking ahead. Just make sure you have the proper amount of money saved, because most vendors will require some type of down payment no matter how far ahead you book.

Cater It Yourself

Although this can be risky depending on your venue and laws in your area, catering your wedding yourself is certainly an option if your wedding is being held in a private space such as a home or backyard. Cooking the food yourself or having friends or family help with it is a fantastic money-saving option but it can also be a lot of hard work and there will still be costs involved, so be sure to take that into account.

Another option is to have your wedding catered by a fast food place, taco truck, or something else a little less fancy and less traditional. Most people attending your wedding are there to support you and celebrate with you and they won’t care too much about what type of food is served.

DIY Flower Arrangements

Choosing to DIY your own flower arrangements rather than hiring a florist is a solid plan because not only will you be impressed with your own skill level, but you’ll also find that putting together floral arrangements for your wedding can be a lot of fun. You can even use it as a bonding activity for yourself and your bridesmaids or family members the day before the wedding.

Depending on the location of your wedding and the time of year, you might even be able to find a U-pick flower patch or find wildflowers that are plentiful, beautiful, and legal to pick. DIY is also an option for other types of wedding decor, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the results! Who knows, you may end up gaining a new skill or passion all while staying well within your budget.

Saving money when it comes to wedding planning isn’t always easy but there are so many things you can do to lower costs and still create the wedding experience you’ve always envisioned. Hopefully, these tips can help you get started with that!