I've spent ten years as a planner and designer in the luxury wedding market, but I didn't start there. As a newly engaged young woman just out of graduate school I remember the day my parents offered me $20k for my wedding. I felt like I had won the lottery! Eh. Then I started interviewing vendors and did the math for our large wedding and felt a solid gut punch of oversized expectations and sticker shock.

Here are a few of my favorite budget tricks that can work at most venues:

Tip 1: Reuse Ceremony Floral

Everyone knows the trick of reusing bridesmaids bouquets, but take it a step further. Many of my clients love the big floral ceremony arches (I do too, obviously), but it's hard to repurpose them. Instead, put large floral arrangements on pedestals to help frame the ceremony area and then move them to the head table, the band stage, or the bars. I pinned some examples for you here.

Be sure to communicate ahead of time regarding who moves the flowers when the ceremony is over. Sometimes it’s necessary to have the floral team stick around if the floral arrangements are too large and heavy.

Ceremony: Photo by Cory Ryan Photography | Floral by Westbank Floral Market | Venue The Contemporary Austin Laguna Gloria

Reception: Photo by Cory Ryan Photography | Floral by Westbank Floral Market | Venue The Contemporary Austin Laguna Gloria

Tip 2: Skip the Late Night Grand Exit Photo

Photographers charge anywhere from $150/hr to $450/hr to expand their standard contract times. But here’s the thing— what are they taking photos of those last two hours? Drunk sweaty people on the dance floor? Trust me, they got all those images in the first hour of dancing! After that, it’s just more sweat and inappropriate dance moves until the grand exit. So unless you reeeeally want that sparkler exit picture, talk about what hours are necessary and get the best photographer you can afford for a smaller hourly package.

Here’s another tip: if you love that classic exit photo, consider something special for the ceremony exit! Have guests toss dried lavender or rose petals and capture that iconic moment when you’re still fresh-faced in good lighting!

photo by Feather & Twine | venue Greenhouse Driftwood

Tip 3: Order a Round of Bubbles for Glam Time + Pack Your Own

Most often you are spending the morning getting ready at a hotel or resort with your bridesmaids. The hotel frowns upon you bringing in your own food and beverages, and some even forbid it. I get it, but when the cheapest bottle of bubbly is $60, c'mon! The work around? Plan to order one round of mimosas so you have all the glassware, fresh OJ, and ice bucket delivered. When the first bottle runs out, plop in the next bottle from your suitcase to the ice bucket. Round two is ready in ten minutes!

Otherwise you're calling down to the front desk, "um, hi! Can I get 12 champagne glasses and some ice?" Hello, captain obvious.

4. “Toast in Hand”

What's this? Industry lingo for when you don't do a champagne toast. Instead of passing champagne to all the guests, we expect the guests will raise a glass with whatever they are drinking at the time. Venues all handle this a little differently. If a champagne toast is included in your package (some luxury hotels) then by all means go for it! For a venue where you bring everything in, consider this: approximately $0.60 per glass (the actual glassware) + $3 of champagne (expect 6 glasses / “pours” per bottle).

So $3.60 x 200 guests? That beautiful photo opportunity just cost you $720. For some, it’s absolutely worth it, but it’s also perfectly acceptable to toast in hand!

photo by Julie Wilhite Photography | Venue Prospect House

5. Pick a Venue That Doesn’t Require a Lot of Decor

You can save a lot of money by simply picking a venue that doesn't need to be dressed up much! One of my favorite venues that can look extremely glam, but at a reasonable price, is The Allan House. They provide all your tables and chairs; plus there is no need to bring in a stage or dance floor. The property features white rock and greenery with twinkle lights in the trees, so you can get away with a very classic look while spending a minimal amount on floral.