Budget-Friendly Tips for Holiday Weddings

By Cara Davis and Kayla Garritano

The countdown to the holidays has begun! The holiday season can be the only time of year that’s simultaneously joyous and stressful. For some, this season will bring with it the event of a lifetime: a wedding. Those planning holiday winter weddings have several opportunities to save money and lessen the stress burden for themselves and their guests. You can be glamorous like a celebrity wedding, but keep it all in a budget!

These tips will be sure to give you a holiday wedding that won’t break the bank!

1. Deck the halls: Most event locations will have already decked the halls for the holidays, allowing you to piggyback their efforts for a low-cost wedding. Go with Christmas hues of gold, red and green — or go for a silvery winter blitz. Strings of white Christmas lights will transform any room into a holiday paradise. Beautiful, and affordable.

2. Silver bells: Create budget large-scale ornaments as decorations using styrofoam balls. Spray-paint them and cover them in glitter. Or you can create groupings of bare branches spray-painted white and covered in silver glitter. Sounds like a winter wonderland! Paper ornaments can play as great wedding invitations or wedding favors.

3. Seasons eatings: Comfort food is a popular winter wedding choice (think soups, pasta, pot pies and mac-n-cheese). Don’t shy away from cost-cutting measures like serving family-style or buffet. Consider a hot chocolate, cider, eggnog or coffee bar to which your guests can immediately help themselves (plus, you’ll save hundreds by skipping the alcohol).

Related Link: 5 Celebrity Couples Who Got Engaged Over The Holidays

4. Marshmallow world: Gingerbread houses make quaint table centerpieces, as do natural greenery and berries. Cocoa mixes or cookie cutters also make inexpensive wedding favors.You can also buy a bunch of marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers to make a s’mores kit!

5. Peace on Earth and online: Couples are increasingly using online wedding planning tools, like creating or sending save-the-date and invitations online, personal websites and online RSVP services. They are also using social media to communicate wedding details. Brides and grooms also have the option of registering online for gift cards at sites like CardAvenue.com, which is a great option for guests already overwhelmed with holiday shopping lists.

Related Link: Reap the Benefits of Cutting Costs on Your Big Day

6. Jingle Bell Rock: If you chose to have your wedding around the holidays, it’s likely a favorite time of year for you. As such, incorporating favorite holiday tunes into your wedding reception is a must, and a fantastic way to get your guests into the holiday spirit. Pandora or Spotify are excellent, economical methods to pipe in some yuletide carols at the appropriate time during your reception.

If you had a holiday wedding, how did you save money? Comment below!