No need to beat around the bush on this topic every couple wants to know how they can save a little extra cash on their big day! It is 100% possible to have the wedding of your dreams, without breaking the bank or having to make too many sacrifices.

We have put together a few ways you can cut costs in different areas that will add up to saving BIG on your wedding.

Setting a budget for your big day seems pretty obvious but you would be surprised how quickly that budget can slip away from you especially when planning a destination wedding. Start with a little research and make a list of priorities. This will help allocate your budget so you don’t feel like you are having to sacrifice too much! Your priorities list is a good guideline as to what areas you can start cutting costs in.

Especially if you are having a destination wedding (in Hawaii) your guests are taking the time off to travel and attend anyway. Getting married on the weekend so everyone can attend is not as important! Weekday dates are more often than not cheaper!

This is a tough one! It may sound harsh but cutting your guest list is the quickest way to save money! Even trimming it by just 10 -15 people can add up to saving thousands of dollars. So start making A, B, and C lists… you got this!

There is no need to pay full price for your dream dress!! Follow your favorite bridal shops or designers on social media and stay in the loop for sample sales, trunk shows, and any special promotions. Start looking early to increase your chances of catching one of these sales. This will also get the fitting process started ASAP which can help save money on last-minute alterations.

There are SO many ways to save on printing:

Invitations- Consider going paperless!? Not only will this be an awesome cost saver but it is also good for the environment. And for your guests, it makes the RSVP process as easy as a click of a button.

Programs- print one for every other seat/couple!

Menus- only one or two per table instead of placing one at every seat. Frame them and place in the middle for everyone to see!

Borrow or Rent – This is a great start for saving on decor items. You likely won’t need 100’s of candleholders anytime in your life other than for your wedding so look into rental options (ABC rents out small decor items!) or contact any friends who have recently got married that may be able to lend you pieces.

Candles- cheap and beautiful!! Candles will immediately create a romantic ambiance and are an extremely cost-effective piece of decor!

Linens- Rather than renting specialty linens use your venue standard linens and then add a beautiful runner or garland of greens to dress it up

Chairs- repurposed your chairs by moving them from the ceremony to the reception.

DIY’s – Do-it-yourself decor is cheaper, fun easy and Sustainable!

Greenery– it’s beautiful and inexpensive! There are so many different types of gorgeous greenery to play with, it can add size and texture to any bouquet or arrangement. Have your florist use lots of greenery as fillers to cut costs!

Choose your florals wisely- Go with in-season, local blooms! Hawaii is FULL of beautiful native florals, buying local will save you heaps.

Repurpose florals- Your ceremony florals can serve as decor for the reception too! The arch piece can double as a sweetheart table arrangement and aisle florals make beautiful centerpieces. Pro tip: save your bridesmaid’s bouquet vases and use them for additional bar, check-in table, or head table decor after the ceremony!

Package– Book your photographer for 8-10 hours instead of a full day!

Up and Coming Photographers – research photographers in the area who are trying to build their experience and portfolios. They will likely have cheaper rates!

DIY Photo Booth- polaroids are all the rage! Setup a simple table with a few dress-up items, a polaroid, and a photo album. You AND Your guests are bound to have a blast with it!

Menu- There are tons of ways to save money on food at your wedding starting with the type of menu. A buffet is more cost-effective than a plated 3-course meal and an informal food truck-style dinner will be even cheaper than a buffet. All you have to do is play around with the options to find something that meets both your priorities and budget.

Cake– Do you really need all 5 tiers? You can easily cut costs on your wedding cake by providing your own florals and cake topper to decorate it. Consider a naked cake — they are cheaper and extremely trendy. You may also want to explore nontraditional dessert options.

There are countless ways to save BIG on your wedding costs. These are just a few to get your gears turning towards thinking more cost-effectively about your special day. Every little bit of saving counts towards achieving your wedding budget!! Please reach out and let us know if you want more tips on how to save on your big day. We are full of ideas on cutting even little costs here and there, that in the end will add up to major savings!

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