8 Steps to an Affordable DIY Wedding in Saratoga
You need to keep costs for the wedding down, but you also want your guests to have a fabulous time. We got you! Check out our eight steps to an affordable DIY wedding in Saratoga.
1) Limit Your Guest List
This is the big one! The largest cost to your wedding will almost undoubtedly be the number of attendees. Most venues or catering services charge per person, so every single guest makes your wedding budget go up significantly.
Start with your core list - the absolute non-negotiables like immediate family and the bridal party and work from there, slowly (working together!) adding additional guests.
One tip to keep the guest list down but without hurting feelings is to invite people in the same "groups" (while excluding others).
For example, if you're inviting your team from work, you need to invite the whole team - but not necessarily the entire company. If you're inviting first cousins, you should invite all first cousins - but skip second cousins, and maybe even aunts and uncles.
Another tip: Have a B list on hand. You will get some guests who are unable to attend, in which case, you could squeeze in a few more invites.
2) Get Married on a Day Other than Saturday
Venues and vendors are much more likely to charge less for a wedding that’s on an “off” day.
You could choose a Sunday on a long weekend, like Columbus Day Weekend or Memorial Day Weekend, so it “feels” like a Saturday.
Some couples opt for a Friday or even a Thursday wedding day. It can't hurt to ask your venue what your options are!
Another tip: Off-peak months are often cheaper too. Consider a winter wedding (just skip the expensive ice sculpture decorations!).
3) Use Music From Your Phone or Laptop Instead of a DJ or Band
Controlling the music yourself will save substantially with the wedding costs. However, amplification matters – it will, however, be worth it to invest in a professional amplification system (which will still be cheaper than hiring a DJ or band). Set up the playlist to cross-fade so there is never any dead air.
4) Email Save the Dates & Invitations, Have Them RSVP Online
It’s customary when sending out invitations to also include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the RSVPs. Between the save the dates, invitations, and RSVPs, that’s a lot of postage! Save money and time by doing it online.
Tip: Create a free wedding website through a service like TheKnot.com, WeddingWire.com, or MyWedding.com and avoid paying for a domain. All three sites allow guests to RSVP through your wedding website.
5) Make Your Own Decorations
Here's where the DIY part comes in! Nothing says DIY like crafting your own wedding decorations. Obviously, exact decorations will vary depending on your tastes and wedding theme, but one great way to decorate is with pictures of you and your fiancé.
Have a posterboard or bunting of photos of you and your sweetie – not only from throughout your relationship, but include pictures of you both as kids as well. Guests will love it!
Make use of Pinterest, ChatGPT, and other tools at your disposal, including chatting with friends who have gotten married within the past few years, to get more ideas that will fit your theme.
6) Create Your Own Centerpieces
As with decorations, you can save a bundle with inexpensive, DIY centerpieces instead of flowers.
Here are just a few ideas: vases or mason jars filled with marbles, bouncy balls, or gumballs; a bowl or crate of fruit like lemons or apples, or even small fishbowls.
You could also get really creative with candles. The possibilities are endless! Let your wedding theme guide you.
7) Serve a Signature Cocktail - Or No Cocktails!
Alcohol is expensive! You can cut costs by serving one or two signature drinks in lieu of a full bar. This is also a fun way to get creative as you personalize the drink to you and your partner.
Or, another option would be to forgo liquor and mixed drinks altogether and just serve beer and wine. This is actually very common!
Bonus tip: Skip the champagne toast. Have guests toast with whatever drink is in their hands!
8) Choose a Location With a Reception Site
Avoid paying for chairs, linens, cutlery, and more by getting married at a hotel, club, or restaurant, or at least having the reception there.
It might be temping to save money by getting married in someone’s backyard, but tents (you must plan for rain!) and other rentals surprisingly really add up quickly, and may even end up being more expensive.
One suggestion: The Inn at Saratoga - this charming downtown venue offers ceremony options indoors and out, is ideal for smaller celebrations, and they can also handle your reception. Plus, guest accommodations!
Take these suggestions into consideration and you can have a fantastic wedding your guests will remember fondly for years – without you going into debt.
