How to Save Money on a Wedding: 13 Tips From Mindy Weiss

Mindy Weiss is an award-winning event planner with more than three decades of experience. Mindy plans everything from private birthday parties to bat mitzvahs to celebrity weddings, with top clients including Kris Jenner and the Kardashian family. Brides magazine included Mindy Weiss Party Consultants in the 2022 list of Best Planners, and the 2020 Elle International Bridal Awards recognized Mindy as the Best Wedding Planner. In addition to planning events, Mindy pens books about the wedding planning process and has her own wedding day product line, including rhinestone shoe appliqués, candles, and emergency kits.

The price tag for a wedding can quickly add up. Consider Mindy Weiss’s budget-friendly tips for navigating wedding expenses and saving money on the big day:

1. 1. Be aware of hidden costs. Before you try to save money, always ask the wedding venue and wedding vendors about hidden fees. “Some of the hidden costs that I’ve seen pop up on weddings is you have designed your lighting, and your lighting guy’s all ready, but then your venue sometimes charges to plug into the wall,” Mindy says. There might also be corkage fees for the reception and cocktail hour, credit card fees, and cake-cutting fees. Be sure to ask your venue and vendors many questions, so you know what to expect.
2. 2. Borrow or rent wedding attire. Consider borrowing, renting, or buying a wedding dress or tuxedo from a sample sale, secondhand store, or local bridal salon. “I have so many brides that have bought dresses on eBay, once-worn already,” Mindy says. “You are not stuck in a corner, buying an expensive wedding gown, with so many options out there. And don’t forget; you can borrow a dress from your best friend.” You can also encourage your wedding party to rent bridesmaids' dresses and suits.
3. 3. Choose your venue carefully. Wedding venues are a significant portion of a wedding budget breakdown. Finding a wedding venue with an on-site kitchen, furniture, linens, and other amenities can help save costs. “Choose a venue that is beautiful, and then you won’t have to add so much to it,” Mindy says. “An off-site venue is a lot more expensive than a venue [with] tables, chairs, and a kitchen. A venue that’s beautiful that has items [means] big, big savings.”
4. 4. Consider the season and day of the week. Having your wedding in the off-season or on a weekday can help cut costs. “Choosing a Sunday or weekday really will help your budget,” Mindy says. Some seasons are more expensive than others. Generally, spring, summer, and fall are more costly times of the year than winter months (assuming a climate that follows the traditional seasons). For this reason, having a winter wedding can be a cost-effective option for a couple.
5. 5. Do without the champagne. The per-head cost of champagne to toast the newlyweds is expensive. “Did you know that a sip of champagne is much more expensive than a glass of wine? Skip the champagne,” Mindy says. You can serve sparkling wine or cider instead.
6. 6. Go for a destination wedding. For destination weddings, you may pay for fewer wedding guests. In wedding planning, you must account for attrition: Only some family members or friends on your guest list will RSVP with a “yes.” “We typically base it on 10 percent for a local wedding, 15 percent if it’s out of town or destination wedding,” Mindy says of attrition rates. Of course, destination weddings can be expensive in and of themselves, so you may need to cut on the wedding gown, wedding flowers, or other parts of the event.
7. 7. Have a family member or friend document your day. Instead of paying for a wedding photographer, you can distribute disposable cameras for guests or rent a photo booth. “If photography and videography are not in your budget, consider going DIY and assign a friend or family member to help capture your wedding,” Mindy says. “You could even ask a few friends to snap photos as the day goes on.”
8. 8. Make a few sacrifices. When building your wedding budget, decide which elements of the day are most important to you. “There are a few things you could omit but still have a fabulous wedding,” Mindy says. “Ask yourself, will anybody really notice if we don’t have it?” For example, you can forgo the traditional tiered wedding cake and opt for cupcakes or a sheet cake. You can also use prerecorded music instead of a live band or DJ. You might pass on the photo booth, boutonnieres, or other wedding party accoutrements.
9. 9. Offer a soft bar. An open bar can be a significant wedding expense. Instead, you can limit the drink offerings and have a signature cocktail. “Instead of doing a full bar, do a soft bar,” Mindy advises. “A soft bar is wine, beer, sodas, [and] water. Maybe one signature alcoholic drink. That will save a lot of money, and people will still be satisfied with drinking.”
10. 10. Opt for DIY wedding décor. Crafting your own centerpieces, floral arrangements, and reception decor to fit a wedding theme is an excellent way to save money. “You can borrow furniture,” Mindy says. “If you like that eclectic look, pull out a bunch of different tables. It’s only gonna add to the personality.” You can print out your own wedding ceremony programs, and instead of paying a florist, see if your bridesmaids or groomsmen can volunteer to create bouquets from in-season flowers. You can also have your décor pull double duty. For example, you can reuse flowers from the rehearsal dinner or ceremony for the sweetheart table.
11. 11. Send digital wedding invitations. Custom wedding invitation suites and postage can be pricey. “Go digital with your invitations,” Mindy says. “Yes, I love snail mail, but it really will save a lot in the end. And you can keep really great track of sending your invitation digitally; at least your save-the-dates.”
12. 12. Skip wedding favors. Mindy often clears wedding favors from tables that guests leave behind. Instead of spending money on favors, share a personalized note of gratitude. “One of my favorite tips is, instead of giving favors . . . write a beautiful thank-you note for joining you on this memorable occasion,” Mindy suggests. You can buy cards that will be less expensive than other parting gifts.
13. 13. Start your wedding earlier in the day. You can also opt for a brunch or lunch reception earlier in the day. If you start earlier, you might end earlier, and that can save you money. “You’ll need less lighting,” Mindy advises, “and you won’t probably go into overtime.” This can be easier for a summer wedding season, with more greenery and longer days to enjoy.

Have a wedding to plan? Learn how to take on the process strategically. Discover Mindy Weiss’s approach to setting a budget, choosing a theme, and sending invitations when you sign up for the MasterClass Annual Membership.