how to budget while planning your wedding.
Planning a wedding is an exciting time, but it can also be a costly endeavor. Here at Cana Events TX, we believe it doesn’t have to be! With a bit of creativity and savvy planning, you can have a beautiful wedding without breaking the bank.
Cut your costs, not your experience.
Date - Guest List - Venue - Catering - Vendors - Planners/Coordinators
Choose an Off-Peak Date: Opting for a wedding date during the off-peak season or on a weekday can significantly reduce costs. Venues and vendors often offer discounts for dates that are less in demand.
The cost difference between a Texas wedding venue on a Saturday versus a weekday can be significant due to various factors:
Demand: Saturdays are the most popular day for weddings, leading to higher demand for venues and vendors. Weekdays, on the other hand, are less popular, resulting in lower demand and potentially lower prices.
Availability: Saturdays are often booked far in advance, especially during peak wedding season. Weekdays are more likely to have availability, giving you more options to choose from.
Cost: Due to higher demand, venues may charge higher rates for Saturday weddings. Weekdays (Monday-Thursday) are considered off-peak days, so venues may offer discounted rates or special packages to attract bookings.
Vendor Availability: Some vendors, such as photographers and DJs, may charge lower rates for Weekday weddings due to lower demand.
Overall, choosing a weekday wedding can result in cost savings. If you're flexible with your wedding date, exploring off-peak days like weekdays can be a great way to save money on your venue and other wedding expenses.
Limit the Guest List: Keeping your guest list small and intimate not only creates a more personal experience but also helps reduce costs.
The average price per guest for a wedding can vary widely depending on various factors such as the location, the venue, the level of formality, and the choices you make for catering, decor, and other services. However, as a rough estimate, the average cost per guest for a wedding in the United States is typically between $100 and $300.
This estimate includes expenses such as food and beverage, venue rental, decor, entertainment, and other miscellaneous costs. With fewer guests, you’ll spend less!
Consider Alternative Venues: Instead of traditional wedding venues, consider non-traditional options such as parks, community centers, museums or even a family member's backyard. These venues are often more affordable and can be transformed into beautiful wedding spaces. While the average price difference between a wedding venue and an event space rental can vary widely depending on factors such as location, size, amenities, and included services, here’s a rough estimate at the differences in price you may see:
Wedding Venue: The average cost of a wedding venue in the United States can range from $3,000 to $15,000+. This cost often includes the rental of the venue space, as well as basic amenities such as tables, chairs, and linens. Some wedding venues may also offer packages that include catering, bar service, and other services. Be sure to check what services are included, not included and what the cost for adding on additional services may be. Looking for additional restrictions on vendors is also important when selecting a venue!
Alternative Spaces: The average cost of renting an event space can range from $500 to $5,000 or more. This cost typically includes the rental of the space only, with additional costs for amenities and services such as tables, chairs, and catering. However, some non wedding focused event spaces will include basic things like tables, chairs, in house sound, etc. There are a few I’ve worked with that even included linens in the pricing! Same goes here as for traditional wedding venues, be sure to know what’s included and what’s not. Make sure you’re getting a good deal and not going to be hit with hidden fees later down the line.
In general, wedding venues tend to be more expensive than non-wedding event spaces... However, the actual price difference can vary significantly depending on the specific venue or event space you are considering. Don’t be afraid to do some research before busting your budget on a venue.
Catering Savings: Saving money on wedding catering is possible with some strategic planning and thoughtful decisions. Here are several tips to help you reduce catering costs without compromising on the quality of your wedding meal:
Buffet or Food Stations: Opt for a buffet-style meal or food stations instead of a plated dinner. Buffets require fewer servers, reducing labor costs, and guests can often serve themselves, which can save on portion sizes.
Consider Food Trucks or Casual Catering Options: Food trucks and casual catering options can be more budget-friendly than traditional catering services. They can also add a fun and unique element to your wedding.
Choose Seasonal and Local Ingredients: Seasonal and local ingredients are often more affordable and can be fresher and more flavorful. Work with your caterer to create a menu based on what's in season.
Consider a Brunch or Lunch Reception: Brunch or lunch receptions are generally less expensive than dinner receptions. You can serve lighter fare and offer a smaller selection of dishes.
BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage): Some venues allow you to bring your own alcohol, which can save significantly on bar costs. Check with your venue to see if this is an option.
Skip the Champagne Toast: While a champagne toast is a traditional part of many weddings, it's not a necessity. Consider skipping this to save on alcohol costs…Maybe even skip out on a bar all together!
Opt for a Simple Wedding Cake: A smaller, simpler wedding cake can be just as elegant as a larger, more elaborate one, but at a fraction of the cost. Consider a smaller cake for display and a larger sheet cake for serving. Sam’s Club, H-E-B and Costco make beautiful cakes at a fraction of the price!
Negotiate with Caterers: Don't be afraid to negotiate with caterers to see if they can offer a better price or package deal. Caterers may be willing to work with you, especially if you're flexible with your menu choices or event timing.
By implementing these tips, you can save money on wedding catering while still providing a delicious and memorable meal for you and your guests.
Invest in great Vendors: Selecting great vendors plays a crucial role in wedding budgeting for several reasons:
Cost-Effectiveness: Experienced vendors often offer packages or services that provide better value for your money. DIY’ing can seem like the best route, but a trustworthy vendor can help you avoid costly mistakes and make the most of your budget.
Professionalism: Great vendors are reliable, responsive, and professional. They understand the importance of your wedding day and will work to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Quality of Service: High-quality vendors deliver exceptional service, from the initial consultation to the wedding day itself. This can make a significant difference in the overall experience for you and your guests. A high price tag doesn’t always equate to receiving the best service.
Vendor Relationships: Established vendors often have relationships with other wedding professionals, which can lead to discounts or special offers that help you save money.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that you have hired great vendors who are experts in their field can give you peace of mind and reduce stress during the planning process and on your wedding day.
Some of my favorite vendors to work with are tenured, professional and have the best prices!
Hire a Coordinator or Planner: Hiring a wedding coordinator or planner can offer several cost benefits, despite the initial expense. Here are some ways a wedding coordinator can help you save money and make the most of your budget:
Vendor Discounts: Experienced wedding planners often have established relationships with vendors and may be able to secure discounts or negotiate better rates on your behalf.
Budget Management: A wedding planner can help you create and stick to a realistic budget, ensuring that your money is allocated wisely and efficiently.
Avoid Costly Mistakes: Wedding planners have the experience and expertise to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes that can lead to overspending.
Time Savings: Planning a wedding can be time-consuming, especially if you have a busy schedule. A wedding planner can save you time by handling the details and logistics, allowing you to focus on other priorities.
Creative Solutions: Wedding planners are often creative problem-solvers and can help you find cost-effective alternatives without compromising on your vision.
Day-Of Coordination: On the wedding day, a planner can ensure that everything runs smoothly, from coordinating vendors to managing the timeline, reducing the risk of last-minute expenses or issues.
While hiring a wedding coordinator or planner does involve an upfront cost, many couples find that the savings and benefits they receive outweigh this initial investment. By leveraging their expertise and industry connections, a wedding planner can help you create the wedding of your dreams while staying within your budget.
By incorporating these money-saving tips into your wedding planning, you can have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank.
Happy planning!
