If you’re planning your wedding and, like so many of us, feeling the financial squeeze, you may be wondering if having the day of your dreams is even possible. However, with a little bit of creative thinking, bargain-finding and budgeting hacks, you can have the wedding that you want without breaking the bank.
Use the hints and tips below to find out how to bag the best deals online and some clever tricks to upgrade your wedding day without putting more of a strain on your budget.
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Use Comparison Sites
First off, before buying anything for your wedding, whether that’s table decorations or bridesmaids’ accessories, consult an online comparison site to find the stores offering the best prices. Checking, for example, the top 10 best online wedding dress suppliers can help you narrow down potential sellers and identify options that offer discounts or special offers. This also allows you to get an idea of the price range on offer.
Comparison sites often feature customer reviews to help you assess the quality of the service you’re likely to receive before committing any funds.
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Make the Most of Last-Minute Deals
If you’re prepared to book last minute, then you can pick up some huge deals online on venues and wedding packages. This may feel a bit risky for some, but for those having a very small wedding, it could be perfect – and you may be able to find some deals that still allow for a booking three months in advance, which takes the pressure off somewhat.
There are also platforms dedicated to the buying and selling of canceled weddings and honeymoons. These are well worth checking out as you may be able to save as much as 50% on a venue and wedding package, which could represent an extra few thousand dollars that stay in your pocket.
Ditch the Paper Invites
Save money by sending out electronic save-the-dates and wedding invites. As well as being a budget-friendly option, it’s a sustainable one, too! You can purchase e-templates for wedding invites and other stationery from a range of suppliers, or why not design your own? Don’t forget to add a simple link for your guests to RSVP. And there’s no need to stop at invites: go electronic for your thank-you notes to continue to rack up the savings.
You could also use free software to set up a personalized wedding website, which contains all of the details that your guests will need. This is a great way to avoid being frequently contacted by those who have a query about parking or who need directions to the venue, for example.
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Make the Most of Social Media
A great way to potentially save a ton on your wedding dress is to simply follow your favorite local bridal stores on social media. This way, you’ll be the first to know about sample sales, trunk shows and promotions that could knock a significant amount of money off a dress you’ve had your eye on. Sign up to as many suppliers as possible and keep your eyes open for posts!
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Online Auction Sites
Go second-hand or vintage for a wonderfully unique (and cost-effective) wedding! Check online auction sites for treasures: whether it’s a genuine 1960s wedding dress, a set of antique cufflinks, or a stack of pretty side plates on which to serve slices of wedding cake, you can save time and money by shopping from the comfort of your sofa.
Some auction sites feature dedicated online clearance stores where you can get your hands on some immense bargains. Consider such sites for savings of up to 80% on a range of items and accessories.
Buy Via a Cashback Site
Buying the things you need for your wedding via a cashback site could save you hundreds in earned cash back funds. All you need to do is find a reputable and trustworthy platform and sign up; every time you want to make a purchase, do so by visiting the cashback platform first. If it’s a partner, you’ll be redirected to the store to buy.
A certain percentage of your transaction’s total value will then be added to your cashback account. With many platforms offering cashback of at least 10% on purchases, you could stand to make some very big savings on your wedding purchases.
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Say ‘I Do’ to Wedding Savings Early On
When it comes to wedding budgeting, the cost can quickly spiral upwards. As well as using the hints and tips above, it’s vital to agree on a budget at the beginning of the planning process and stick to it rigidly. It can be easy to get carried away and end up booking things that don’t add a great deal to your enjoyment of the day. Think carefully about all the purchases you make and don’t feel pressured into buying things that would take you over your budget.
Adding homemade elements to your wedding will make your nuptials even more special, as well as being kinder to your bank balance – so have fun thinking outside of the box to create the day of your dreams!
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