How to Cut Wedding Venue Costs

Planning your budget and wondering how to cut wedding venue costs? What is not to love about tying the knot with the person you want to share your life with? A wedding is not just about wearing the best wedding dress, it is a sacred event that can change your life forever. If you want your wedding to be successful, it is only right if you plan ahead of time. Without the wedding budget and plan you may overspend on the wedding. If you have a big budget this may not be an issue, but if your budget is tight and limited, you have to be more strategic when deciding.

One of the most expensive part of the wedding is the venue. However, there are actually ways that can help you minimize your venue expense. Here are the best tips on how to cut wedding venue costs!

• Consider other days than Saturday

Okay, it is common knowledge that Saturday is when the couple wants to get married. Why not? It is very convenient and at the same time traditional. And because this day is in demand, Saturdays can be very expensive, actually 50% more expensive than Sundays and Fridays.

Sure, you want high attendance at your wedding, but celebrating it on a Saturday is not the only way you have. You can send invitations earlier so your guests can prepare and free up their schedule on your chosen date.

• Focus on just one priority

What is more important to you and your partner? Gourmet meal or picture-perfect scenery? Focus on which you think is more important for you and splurge a little on that. You do not have to choose both a spectacular venue and five-star meals, you can pick which one you think is more important for you.

• Go for a non-traditional venue

Sure, the non-traditional venues can offer their space cheaper than those that are meant for weddings and big events. You can always be creative with your choices, like having it in an art gallery or a library, etc.

Although not all venues allow weddings, there is nothing wrong if you ask.

• Choose the suburbs instead of the big city venues

Venues in the city can be very expensive, hence going out of the big city is a good idea. You can go to the suburbs instead. Worry not as much as there are so many great wedding venues and destinations from suburbs that are waiting for you to discover.

• Instead of choosing two venues, make it one

There are many wedding venues where you can hold both your wedding ceremony and reception. This will save you from paying for two separate venues. Moreover, it is easier for guests as they do not need to travel from point A to point B.

• Do it in the morning

Yes, it may be hard for the bride to wake up and get herself all fixed early in the morning. However, if you want to save up money, doing it in the morning is best. Serving lunch or brunch is far cheaper than serving dinner.

If this you consider, you are also giving yourself and your partner more time together after your wedding.

• Negotiate

Now it is time to show your negotiation skills. You can ask different venues for rates and take the information you gathered to your advantage. Also, you may not want to tell the venue that it will be used for weddings, as the quote could be higher for weddings.

• Ask for discounts when you pay in full

The usual payment arrangement is you will pay a specific down payment to reserve the venue and settle the complete payment on a later date. If you already have money on hand, you can ask the venue if they can give you a special rate if you can pay the whole thing in full.

However, you have to make sure that a contract is made to make the agreement binding.

• Go for a smaller reception and just party after

If you have many close friends and family to invite but you do not have that much luxury to spend, just go for a small reception and invite everyone for a party later. This can help you cut your expenses without worrying that someone might feel bad because you didn’t invite them.

• Consider all in packages

Higher discounts are given to those who will get packages instead of retail. Let the venue take care of the cake, food, and design.

• Shorten the time of the reception

Instead of four hours, make it three. Squeezing up the program is possible if you are strategic or you have an experienced host. There are many venues charging by the hour and an hour shorter could give you huge savings.

• Rent a space you only need

Why would you go to a very big venue if you are only expecting a few guests? Match the number of guests to the size of the venue. The larger the venue, the more expensive it could get.

• Consider a newly opened venue

Most of the time newly opened venues offer cheaper prices. They are still in the process of introducing the venue to people, so giving big discounts is what they usually do.

 

With these tips you can easily cut wedding venue costs and save more money for you honeymoon. Check The Ultimate Bride’s Survival Guide for more tips and guidelines on how to plan your perfect wedding!

 

Header Image Credit: @aliciamartire.photo