From the flowers and cocktails to the bridal party outfits and venue, planning your big day can cost a pretty penny. That said, getting married doesn’t need to be one of the most expensive experiences of your life. Even though it’s very easy to get carried away, always remind yourself that you’re footing the bill and your budget should be something you’re comfortable spending.

With all that in mind, we’re sharing our top tips on how to cut some corners and ensure your friends and family still swoon over the little details.

Design your own invitations or send out e-invites

There’s no need to pay through the nose to get invitations professionally made. You can create top-quality invites yourself – all you have to do is hop online and search for websites that allow you to design custom wedding invitations. You could even ditch the traditional paper invitations and send out e-invites. Not only will you save on postage costs, but you’ll also save yourself the trouble of writing all those addresses on envelopes.

Serve a signature drink

Why pay for a fully stocked bar when you can save money by serving one signature cocktail? You can even be creative with it, using your preferred flavours and giving it a catchy name to showcase your individual personalities. It’s worth considering his and hers options of the same drink too. You’ll still be able to keep costs down while serving something that looks fancy and expensive.

Serve buffet-style food

Let’s be real: the ‘steak or chicken’ meal option has had its day, and you never ended up with what you actually wanted anyway. Your guests will love a good buffet-style spread, as they’ll get to pick and choose exactly what they eat. A buffet is also a great money-saving way to feed lots of people. Can’t decide what to serve? A gourmet barbecue always goes down a treat. You could have a few different serving stations including a pizza buffet, chilli bar and a selection of sweet treats. Whatever your favourite cuisine, a buffet is a tasty way to round off the day.

Choose in-season flowers

In-season flowers from a local florist will always be less costly. You’ll also get the freshest blooms for your bridal bouquet and venue decorations. If you don’t like any current seasonal stems, you could opt for year-round blossoms like orchids, roses and calla lilies. There’s little point in choosing flowers from far-off places, as the shipping costs alone will make your jaw drop.

Consider a public space for a venue

Nowadays, you can get married virtually anywhere you want. And really, the big castle and grand estate weddings have been done a thousand times before. Public spaces like parks and beaches are beautiful and offer you gorgeous backdrops for all those photos. You could choose a unique place or outdoor location that means something special to you as a couple to make your wedding stand out.

Op shop and bargain hunt

When planning a wedding, there are so many little items to buy that you’d never have even thought of. Things like tablecloths, cutlery, chairs and table centrepieces all contribute to your final cost – and can break your wedding budget. Have a roam around some op shops and hunt for bargains to use for styling your venue. Best of all, you’ll get to keep all the things you bought after the event.

Get married on a weekday

You can save thousands of dollars by getting married on a day that isn’t Saturday or Sunday. In fact, more couples than ever are hosting their nuptials in the week, including those who don’t need to stick to a tight budget. Picking a date at the end of the off-season is also a brilliant way to keep costs down.

Have a small bridal party

Think about it for a minute. If you have 10 of your friends walk you down the aisle or by your side that means 10 times more dollars spent on outfits, hair, makeup, gifts and everything else that goes with it. It’s a no-brainer. The smaller the bridal party, the smaller the cost. 

Still undecided on where to get married? Head on over to Yellow Pages listings for spectacular wedding reception venues to suit your budget.