Great question. We are here to help.

The average California wedding costs $39,000. In my hometown of Lake Tahoe, and other popular wedding destination, the cost can increase. Many small, but important details, are what make a wedding cost so much. The first thing to do is identify what areas you care the MOST about (ie. food, drinks, photography, floral, music, etc.)

1. Save on Your Venue by Picking an Off Peak Season or Day

Venue often price lower in off-peak seasons or on weekdays. If you and your guest list can accommodate to these lower dates or days it is a great way to save money on the venue fees.

Consider what you get for your Venue Fee. The venue fee typically includes the tables and chairs as well as the staffing to set it up. When considering a “back-yard” style wedding, the rental and labor fees for tables, chairs, set up and strike can often be equivalent to established venues.

2. Save on Your Food & Beverage by Cutting your Guest List or Picking an In-Between-Meal Reception Time.

Your guest count will be the primary driver of your wedding costs. Your food and beverage charges by the head; so the higher your guest count the more you will spend on the dining portion of your wedding.
In-Between Meal Receptions. Another option is to plan your reception time for in-between meals like a Garden Party Reception between 2 - 5 pm. This way you can offer crowd pleasing snacks and appetizers without the full price dinner ticket.
Food Truck services are another option for casual weddings to save on the expense of a full sit down dinner experience.

3. Save on your Photographer by opting for the 6 hour packages and adding DIY photo opportunity moments with your guests at select areas around your venue.

Your most precious wedding photography typically takes place between the pre-ceremony and post ceremony hours. These photos are typically the one framed and displayed while photography in advance of getting ready or post the dinner hour are not. You can save on many packages by reducing the total time but encouraging photos from your guests within your Guest Book opportunities, creating hashtags, and even photo backdrop opportunities.

4. Save on your Wedding Dress by buying showroom, floor and runway wedding dress samples from designer and retail partners at outlet prices or once-used.

This is a great way to get your wedding dress 1/2 off of the regular price. Remember that a wedding dress is an emotional purchase and is priced accordingly.

5. Save on your Bar & Beverage by offering wine and beer only or selecting a venue that allows you to BYOB your own alcohol.

Another fun option is to host an engagement party and in lieu of a card or gift offer that guests can bring a favorite beverage that they would love to have at your wedding bar. Add name tags to all of the alcohol gifted and set it on display at your wedding bar for all of the guests to enjoy.

See our other blog posts on how to DIY your own wedding bar.

6. Save on your DJ / Entertainment by preparing your own playlists and renting your sound equipment (for non-dance focused celebrations.)

A DJ or band is crucial to a lively dance party but for casual, non dance focused celebrations, often a longer playlist with all of your favorites can work well.

7. Save on your Hair & Makeup by Doing It Yourself

Having someone do your hair and makeup is a wonderful splurge and way to feel pampered on your big day however you can opt for trails or learn techniques to do your make up or hair (dependent on the style) yourself which can save you $300+ on this typical line item expense as well as almost 4 or 5 hours back in your Wedding Day.

8. Save on your Stationary by going Paperless

In today’s digital age, guests are more and more accustomed to making their RSVP’s via a website or online especially for the younger generation. You can save money by directing all, or at least a large portion of your guests, to RSVP online which can cost you a nothing for many free websites or a fraction of the payment compared to traditional wedding stationary.

9. Save on your Officiant by opting for a close friend or relative to marry you.

Close friends or family members can be ordained via multiple online sites that gives them authority by the state to marry two individuals. Note, that this is a big responsibility that that guest may feel and be considerate of their comfort levels with public speaking with a large crowd of people.

10. Save on your Cake by opting for untraditional dessert options like cupcakes, ice cream, popsicles donuts, cookies, s’mores, or pies.

Non-traditional dessert options are fun and a great way to save money from a traditional wedding cake. Take a look at our blog for ideas on alternatives to the traditional wedding cake.

11. Save on Floral by having a Floral Party at your Rehearsal or blending some silk floral options into your design.

The night before your wedding, purchase (simple) greenery and floral wholesale and make a centerpiece arrangement for inspiration. Invite your wedding party and close family members to make an arrangement for their wedding table the next day by creating an assembly line of all of the floral and vases that they need. This can save money on your centerpiece purchases.
Incorporate other items like candles, lanterns, rope or driftwood into your decor which creates a statement piece and can be re-sold or re-used as an alternative to floral.
Blend some silk or wood floral options into your design, especially in low traffic areas or the alter in which there is less proximity of guest interaction but still makes a beautiful statement arrangement.
Use small bud vases with limited floral for a simple and sweet display that goes a long way.

12. Save on Rentals and Decor by only using what your venue offers or opting for the purchase (with the intent to resell) instead of renting.

Note that purchasing instead of renting can save you money, but does add logistics to your timeline in terms of delivery and pick up. Also note that you can often you can only resell for a fraction of the original cost. On that note, purchasing once used wedding decor items is a great way to save money.

For signage decor needs, the

13. Save on your Favors and Gifts by incorporating them into your decor.

For example,

use small succulent arrangements as your centerpieces and invite your guests to take home a plant at the end of the night.
offer cookies or a candy bar for dessert and invite your guests to take a treat home.

These are a few of our favorite budget friendly tips and tricks. Be sure to schedule a consultation to learn about even more. Our strongest piece of advice when maneuvering through the details of a wedding is to remember:

Your guests are there to celebrate YOU!. Not your floral, your photographer, your DJ, or your venue - just your love.

Where can I cut so my Wedding doesn't cost SO much?