Let’s be honest: the word “budget” doesn’t exactly scream wedding glam—but it should. A smart wedding budget isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about choosing where to splurge and where to save so you can enjoy the day and your bank account afterward.
We talked with Bridget Nice of Nice Wedding & Event Planning to get her best real-world tips for planning a beautiful wedding without going broke.
In Part 1, we shared 6 of Bridget’s favorite budget-conscious tips that actually work.
Here is the continued list:
7. Have a real flower bouquet for the bride only.
“Real flowers are ideal but they come with a hefty bill that not all brides are willing to pay,” Bridget said.
As an alternative option, bridesmaids can carry faux florals or greenery, or even non-traditional items, while the bride has a only real flower bouquet. Brides open to this approach can save money, but still enjoy a real bouquet for their wedding day and for long-term preservation.
8. Go without a wedding party.
Some brides are choosing to not have a bridal party, which comes with a handful of unexpected benefits. Couples that have a wedding without bridesmaids or groomsmen can also benefit from cutting the cost of bridesmaids and groomsmen attire, florals, gifts, etc., (not to mention avoiding any potential group drama).
Pro tip: Some brides without a wedding party have hosted a “girls” hour just prior to the wedding, complete with a bridal reveal and photo ops between the bride and her closest girlfriends.
9. Skip the videographer if it’s not a top priority.
“Right now, I’m seeing a lot of brides that would rather spend $1,000 on amazing photos than spend another $3,000 on a video they may only watch once,” Bridget shared.
If it’s a non-negotiable that’s in the budget, a videographer is a great way to preserve memories, but brides typically see more long term use out of the photos from their big day.
10. Consider getting married in a more affordable location.
Unfortunately, where you live may not be the cheapest place to get married, but a destination wedding doesn’t always mean exotic location.
One of Bridget’s clients traveled from Texas to Arkansas and saved big on both venue and vendor costs. Sometimes a new ZIP code can make all the difference.
11. Hire a traveling day-of coordinator.
A traveling day-of coordinator may offer more affordable packages than vendors in your area. Looking at other coordinators gives brides more opportunities to see various wedding packages and prices that fit best in their budget.
Bridget offers day-of coordination services and frequently waives travel fees to popular cities like Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, Charlotte, and more—making her an amazing option for brides planning from afar.
“I’m based in Northwest Arkansas, but I’ve been honored to travel to various places on-site to be there for my brides and help make their vision a reality on their big day,” she said.
12. Choose your “Top 5” priorities.
Bridget always tells her clients to identify five things that matter most—whether it’s the dress, the food, the flowers, or the music—and protect the budget there. Then look for creative ways to save on everything else.