Wedding Prices Are Up: How Can Couples Save Money?
Wedding costs have been climbing, and couples planning their big day in Kearney and across Central and Western Nebraska are feeling it. From venues to catering to flowers, nearly every line item on a wedding budget has gone up in recent years. The good news is that with a little intentional planning, there are real ways to bring those costs down without sacrificing the wedding experience you have been dreaming about.
Here are some of the most effective ways couples are saving money on their wedding day right now.
Keep Your Wedding Party Smaller
Touching on the smaller guest list, this can also play into a smaller wedding party. Think about all of the wedding activities that include your wedding party. Bridesmaids’ proposals, the bachelorette party or bachelor party, and more.
Trimming your wedding party down to the people who matter most not only reduces those expenses but often makes the logistics of the day feel simpler and more manageable. A smaller, tighter wedding party also tends to photograph beautifully. Quality over quantity applies here just as much as anywhere else in the planning process.
Joined Bachelor(ette) Parties
Speaking of bachelor(ette) parties, why not join them. If you’re lucky enough to have a wedding party that already gets along, take advantage of that and join your pre-wedding celebrations! The idea that they have to separate doesn’t have to stick.
When it comes to wedding traditions, a lot of things have wiggle room and can be customized towards what makes the most sense for you and your partner.
Online Invitations
One of the major costs of a wedding comes in stationary. Wedding invitations can become a pretty hefty expense depending on the design, the number of invitations needing to be made, and what you’re ordering. You’ll need wedding invitations, save the dates, thank you cards, menu cards, table numbers… the list can go on.
An easy (and sustainable) way to cut down costs is by going digital. Online invitations not only make less of a carbon footprint, but they just take sending your guests an e-vite. Cutting down on design costs, delivery costs, etc. It’s a win on all fronts!
Paperless Post has some great design options. You can go for an e-vite that’s inspired by the look of a physical card invite, or just a picture design. The final choice is yours.
Consider Skipping Wedding Favors
Wedding favors are one of the most frequently skipped line items among budget-conscious couples, and honestly, most guests will not notice their absence. The reality is that favors are one of those details that feel important in the planning stage but rarely stand out as memorable on the day itself.
If favors matter to you and your partner, keep them. But if you are looking for somewhere to trim without impacting the guest experience, this is a low-stakes place to start. Every dollar saved here is a dollar that can go toward the parts of your day that will make the biggest difference: great music, great photography, and great food.
One of the Smartest Ways to Save: Bundle Your Wedding Services
Here is a money-saving tip that does not require cutting anything from your wedding day at all. Booking multiple services through Complete Weddings + Events means you get everything you need from one trusted team at a bundled price that beats booking each vendor separately.
Our Kearney team offers photography, videography, DJ services, photo booth rentals, lighting, and day-of coordination all under one roof. Bundling services not only saves you money but simplifies your entire planning process, with fewer contracts, fewer vendor communications, and a team that already knows how to work together seamlessly on your wedding day. Contact us today to find out what is available for your date and start building a package that works for your budget.
