Are you looking to lower the cost of your Baltimore wedding? See our list of ways to reduce expenses for your wedding in Baltimore.
Sticker shock is something that many couples face. How often do you rent linens or buy your favorite flowers for your closest friends in bulk? So it can be quite a surprise when it all adds up, if you don’t do your research or hire a professional planner. There’s a whole lot of work and cost that goes into organizing each aspect of your wedding. There are, however, ways to cut that price down without sacrificing your vision for your special day. Here are a few of our favorite tips:
Insider Tips for Making Your Budget Stretch Further
Photo credit: American Visionary Art Museum/Love Life Images
The Venue.
Did you know there’s a wedding season? The busiest time of year for wedding venues and vendors is (predictably) the spring and especially the fall, and this is when prices are likely to be at their highest. If you want to save money on your Baltimore venue, the secret is to book during the off-season (January-March) when venues will often offer discounts to offset the lull in business. If you just can’t see yourself having a winter wedding, you can still net some savings by choosing to say “I do” on a Thursday, Friday, or Sunday instead of the more popular Saturday.
In addition, consider having your wedding in the morning with an afternoon reception. Venues will sometimes offer a discount for non-evening events. Also, your location can make a difference. For example, city venues tend to be significantly pricier than those rural areas. As a final note, staying on site for both your reception and ceremony will be substantially less than booking two venues.
Photo credit: Catering by Seasons
The Catering.
Saving money on catering doesn’t necessarily mean you have to sacrifice the quality of the food. For instance, you could choose to hold your wedding during a time of day when a full meal wouldn’t normally be on the agenda for your guests. For example, a cocktail or tea reception with tasty hors d’oeuvres. Alternatively, you could or plan a brunch or lunch reception. In fact, breakfast and lunch is much less expensive to cater than a traditional dinner (but no less delicious). In addition, portions are usually smaller.
As an added bonus, your guests will most likely not drink as much early in the day as they would in the evening, thus saving you money on the bar. If you can’t bring yourself to part with the idea of an elegant dinner, you can still keep costs down. For instance, choose a chicken dish as your entrée rather than beef or fish. Chicken appeals to a wide variety of tastes while also being less expensive.
The Dress.
Every bride wants that perfect dress for her wedding day. You can have that dress, while still being kind to your bank account. The main rule is that simple means savings. The more beading, lace, and embroidery a dress has, the higher the price. To capture that same intricate look for less, adorn your dress with tasteful accessories, such as a belt or brooch.
In addition, never underestimate the cost of alterations. They can seriously add up. To prevent these added costs, try to buy a gown you love exactly the way it is (maybe with one or two minor changes). Finally, consider buying a sample gown off the rack or at a sample sale. Just take care to inspect the dress to make sure it’s in good condition.
Photo credit: Plan It Perfect/Emily Chastain Photography
The Flowers.
Saving money on your floral arrangements and bouquet is all about choosing flowers that are grown locally and in season. Ask your Baltimore florist for advice on what kinds of flowers fit this description. You may be surprised by the wealth of options! Also, make your table decorations much more cost-effective by incorporating non-floral elements, such as votive candles, lanterns, or shells. Flowering potted plants also make wonderful table decorations at a lower cost than cut flowers. In fact, they can even serve as guest favors to take home. Finally, if you are absolutely in love with the idea of floral centerpieces, you can still save. For instance, place your bridesmaids’ bouquets in a vase on each table after the ceremony. Lastly, move all of your ceremony florals into the reception.
In conclusion, you can lower the cost of your Baltimore wedding with a little creativity and smart planning. Hopefully, our list of budget-friendly tips will make your dream wedding a reality without overspending.
