1. Help the environment
Most Top 10 lists go end with the “best” of what the list is about, but I am going to start with the best idea I’ve heard for how to save money for a wedding: recycling aluminum. A friend of mine is doing just that through a project she calls Wedding Cans. It might sound odd, but a month into her project, it’s international news. Check out the Wedding Cans journal for a full report on the media madness.
2. Corporate sponsorship
This is another sort of strange idea that I came across on Wise Bread. Sure, it could be seen as “selling out” and turning something that some people consider “sacred” into a commercial, but who are we kidding here? Weddings, like Christmas, have become ultimately focused on material elements. If you agree to have corporate logos or feature products at your wedding, you can avoid having to pay back personal loan companies.
3. Take a dare
One pretty bizarre idea that I saw on Romance Fire is to “take a video of yourself conquering a known fear if the price is right.” Yes, in the grand tradition of “Fear Factor” and “Jackass,” one groom suggests you harness the power of mortification.
4. Use your registry
Worst-Case Scenarios suggests that instead of registering for gifts that you will use after the wedding, register for ceremony components such as a limousine service, floral arrangements, food and beverages.
5. Sell stuff
Of course, there are numerous tip lists out there that suggest you sell your stuff, either online, at a yard sale or some other way. Maybe you could hold an auction.
6. Just ask
Another very popular idea out there is that you should start a web site or a group on a social network and simply ask for people to donate to your wedding.
7. Have everybody pitch in
Similar to the registry idea, which has people helping pay for the wedding instead of just buying gifts, you can ask certain people, close friends and family members, to pay for one thing. For instance, someone could pay for the cake, another person could fund wedding favors. You can pick everything yourself and just ask a certain person to fund it as a gift.
8. Vacation home instead of wedding hall
This doesn’t raise money, it saves money, but it’s a really good idea, so I’m including it anyway. Wedding reception halls can cost thousands of dollars per hour to rent. Check for nearby vacation home rentals and hold the reception in a beautiful house or yard. You can rent these places for days and still spend less than a few hours at a hall.
9. A little help from your friends
This raising money for a wedding idea isn’t directed at the bride and groom, but rather at the wedding party and the couple’s friends. A common custom in some places is to hold a “Jack and Jill,” which is a big party in honor of the bride and groom, and charge $5 or so to get in. Then, the money is given to the couple.
10. Planning ahead
Pretty much every site I’ve gone to suggests that you plan ahead and save money in advance. They also suggest that you could get a second job or offer some sort of service and save the money you make. To that I say, “duh,” but because it is the most common piece of advice out there, I figured I had to include it.
What about holding an BBQ engagement party in your backyard? Instead of doing a potluck sell $10/ person tickets and supply hot dogs, Hamburgers, potato salad etc. You can pocket the difference, and additionally host a raffle, or some other traditional stag and doe type games.
Some ideas:
Guests can bid (Auction style) on smushing the bride/ groom in the face with a tin full of whipped cream, highest bidder wins.
Who can hula hoop the longest? Nominate two friends to compete (can be members of the bridal party or anyone who wants to volunteer for the job) and the guests can bid on the winner. 50 Percent of the pot goes to the bride and groom and the guests whom correctly predict the hula hooping winner split the rest.
Set up a poker table with a percentage of the pot going to the house.
Bid on the classic "How many jellybeans are in the jar?" The winner gets the candy and 1/2 the pot. Make sure to record all the bids and tally the money as you go.
There are tons of great game ideas out there if you look for them!
You can even have a theme like Hawaiian nights and enlist your friends and family to help with the decorations, like outdoor Christmas lights or Chinese lanterns. I think having a theme for your party helps to persuade people to come out, and makes it feel less like a money grab. Make sure to let your guest know to bring a cooler and supply their own drinks, and that you are raising funds for the upcoming wedding so be prepared to play games and have a few laughs.
The amount of funds you will raise depends on how many people you can comfortably hold in your backyard. However there are no overhead costs of a traditional Stag and Doe like renting a hall, getting a special occasion permit and serving staff. You are just making a profit of the games with the ticket sales covering the cost of food and prizes.
Originally I thought it was tacky to host a fundraiser for your wedding until I realized how expensive a wedding can be. I have been diligent on saving money wherever I can. Here are a few examples;
I went with an all inclusive venue:
The London Delta Armouries in London, Ontario
The chairs and tables, linen, catering, flatware, glassware etc, three course plated meal, cocktail hour, open bar and set up/tear down are all included in the price. I also saved a lot of money by having a more intimate wedding as the package for the venue is a cost of $85.95 per person.
I am using a ton of candles instead of fresh flowers for the ceremony and reception, saving me thousands on lighting and flowers that are just going to die anyway. I am also making my own rose bouquet, which is easier than you think and using in-season flowers. The ceremony decorations will also do double duty as reception decorations as well.
I am only having a maid of honor instead of several bridesmaids and giving her one rose to carry as well as giving one to my mother and mother in law during the ceremony. I think this is a nice sentimental twist on the traditional bridesmaids bouquets and saves hundreds of dollars.
I am making a photo booth area with props (feather boas, etc) so my wedding geusts can take fun pictures to take home as the wedding favor. I will have a freestanding backdrop set up with our monogram and wedding date on it. I can print out the pictures after and send them to my guests with the thank you cards or simply have them use their own cameras and take their pic home with them that night! I am making the backdrop out of scrap particle board I'm painting it out white and stenciling on my monogram and wedding date.
My wedding is a vintage glam theme so I am planning to shop around at flea markets and vintage stores to find my wedding day jewelry and candle holders/ vases etc. You can really find some great things in these places!
So even with all my smart saving and the help of our parents, we still need a little extra help financially. What I once thought was tacky is now my favorite solution for wedding money troubles. And the truth is, my friends are all happy to help. I'm not just outright asking for donations, I'm putting thought and time into planning a fun-in-the-sun backyard bash. And who doesn't want an excuse to play childhood fair games, eat some grub and have a few afternoon cocktails?
I hope this helps,
Sincerely,
The Vintage Glamour Penny Pinching Bride