10 Ways To Save Money Planning Your Wedding in Ontario
One of the biggest questions all couples will have to answer when planning their wedding is “What’s the budget?” This question can seem SO scary at first. Wedding planning can feel like a lot even with a limitless budget, so when you’re planning within reason, it may make you feel overwhelmed.
The good news is that there are so many things you can do to help save money when planning your wedding! One of the best things you can do to start is “pick the focus” - something I did in my own wedding planning and can help you narrow down what’s really important to you. Once you’ve done that, you can then choose a few areas to get really creative in that will help you save. So, with that, here are 10 ways to save money planning your wedding in Ontario. Let’s take a look!
P.S. I may not be an “official” wedding planner, but I love to offer help to those who need it and also have some AMAZING planner friends I’m happy to recommend if you need one. If you need some more personalized advice, let's connect!
#1 Create DIY Decorations
Fortunately, one of the best ways to save money on wedding decorations is also one of trendiest. A lot of couples are choosing to go the DIY-route instead of picking traditional (and often more expensive) decorations. Even if you are not the craftiest person in the world, there are so many simple DIY decorations that are easy to make and look amazing too.
If you’re having any pre-wedding celebrations with your wedding party, you may want to make a fun activity out of creating DIY decor together. You can get so much done in a lot less time when you have more hands on deck.
Some examples of really easy DIY decor include:
Centre pieces (you can even check out your local dollar store for things like glass vases and faux flowers)
Wedding signs (wood signs made out of recycled pallets will always be a hit if you’re looking for rustic decor)
Floral arrangements (if you have an eye for design or love gardening, you can try to DIY your own flowers)
These are just a few ideas when it comes to DIY decor. Of course, one of the reasons why so many couples choose DIY is because it will help you save money. However, there is another big benefit - you have total control over the customization and final product. Not sure you love the design you just made? That’s okay, you can scrap it and start something new without wasting hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars.
#2 Serve Signature Drinks
To help keep costs down, a lot of couples are choosing to skip the open bar and opt for other drink options. One of the best choices is to serve signature drinks instead.
What exactly are signature drinks? They are specially selected cocktails that your guests can choose from. Instead of offering endless drink options, signature drinks allows you to offer just a few amazing choices for your guests. Aside from the fact that you’ll save money, signature drinks are a great choice because you can carefully choose which cocktails are available.
This means that you’ll have greater control over the experience your guests have at the bar. Ever been to a wedding where everyone seemed to complain about the drinks? Your choice of signature drinks can help eliminate that risk by ensuring all drinks are ‘ok-ed’ by you!
Also, for those who love the nitty-gritty details, you can choose drinks that match your theme, style, and even colour palette! Plus, you and your partner can name the drinks whatever you want, which is just another fun little custom thing you can do to help make your special day unique.
#3 Forfeit The Cake
Like pretty much everything else wedding-related, the cost for some traditional elements may be more than you’re willing to spend. A traditional wedding cake costs around $350 on average, but it can easily get up to $1,000 or more depending on size, style, and other customizations.
Sometimes, it’s best to just forfeit the cake entirely. Some couples decide to still have a cake (one that you probably don’t want to eat, unless you love cardboard) for the sake of pictures, while others choose fun, cheaper alternatives.
One of the trendy alternatives that you will see all over Pinterest is the “Donut Wall” - it’s basically a piece of wood with thin handles that hold up donuts, literally creating a wall of donuts! Donuts are significantly less expensive than cake, and I mean, who doesn’t like donuts?
Cupcakes are another cheaper alternative. They are easy to customize, and you can get tons of different flavours. This is perfect if you want to appeal to your guests’ various taste preferences. If you want a bit more traditional look and feel, cupcakes are a great choice - but they won’t break your budget.
Honestly, when it comes to dessert, you should choose whatever you like! You can even choose savoury instead of sweet - like pizza or poutine! The cake itself has become a lot less of a staple over the last few years, so it’s a thing that really won’t be missed by too many people if you choose to forego it entirely or choose a creative alternative instead.
#4 Book During Off-Season
Summer and early autumn months tend to be when most people plan their weddings. This means that everything is in greater demand, from vendors to caterers to local venues. This higher demand creates higher prices, so if you are planning your wedding during peak season, you will find almost everything costs more.
Fortunately, if you are able to, there’s a way around this - you can simply plan your wedding during the off-season. Now, living in Ontario, you’ll have to keep in mind that the weather may not cooperate. In fact, during off-season, it’s pretty much a guarantee you’ll be dealing with cooler temperatures and probably snow as you get closer and into the winter months.
However, red and orange fall leaves or glistening white snow can create some pretty magical photo opportunities. There are definitely benefits to booking during off-season in Ontario too aside from the money-saving possibilities.
Also, there’s not only off-season, but also peak days of the week. The most popular day to have a wedding is - you guessed it - Saturday. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble for you and your guests, consider choosing a weekday for your wedding instead.
#5 Pick a Pre-Decorated Venue
There are so many amazing venues across Southern Ontario that require little to no additional decorating because they already look picture perfect as-is. If you want to cut out any extra expenses from your budget, one of the best ways to do that is to simply choose a venue with decor in mind.
For example, Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa offers some absolutely breathtaking wedding venues on their gorgeous estate. The intimate Colonel Langdon’s Room and Conservatory can host up to 20 guests and really does not need any extra decor. It looks amazing just the way it is.
If you are looking to plan your wedding in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, here are a few venues I’ve worked at that offer beautiful backdrops without any additional effort on your part:
Cellar 52
Roseville Estates
The Walper Hotel
Whistle Bear Golf Course
#6 Find All-Inclusive Vendors
Going a bit off tip #5, you can save even more money while planning your wedding if you choose an all-inclusive venue. Often, you’ll find that venues that come already decorated will also offer other services. An all-inclusive vendor comes as a “package deal,” so you can end up saving a lot of money by choosing this all-in-one service.
Services provided by all-inclusive venues typically include:
Catering (you may be able to choose from multiple partnering caterers, or you may only have one in-house option)
DJs/music (you will still be able to choose your own playlist of course)
Drinks (you can ask about options such as open/closed bar, signature drinks, etc. as some venues allow more or less flexibility on this one)
Ceremony space (some may even provide connections to local officiants)
Decorations (if you want a bit of custom-flare, you can inquire about bringing some of your own DIY decorations)
All-inclusive venues help you save time, money, and the mental load of trying to book multiple vendors. Once you’ve made a decision on your venue, everything else is pretty much set and ready to go right away! However, this does mean that you will be giving up a bit of control as well as some custom choices. Still, for many couples, the time and money saved is totally worth it.
#7 Choose Casual Dining
Modern couples all over Ontario (and the world for that matter) are choosing to ditch the traditional fine dining dinner and go with something unique instead. We’re seeing a lot more buffets with food choices that you probably wouldn’t ever see at a wedding just 10-15 years ago.
However, buffets are not the only option. For a smaller, more intimate gathering, some couples have gone the complete DIY-route and cooked their own food for their guests. This may not be the right choice for everyone, but if you love cooking and hope to add an ultra-personal touch to your wedding, this can be an incredible way of doing so. This is actually becoming more common than you may think, especially for couples who choose to have a “micro wedding.”
Another awesome way you can save money on food and still create the best experience for your guests is to hire local food trucks. This allows your guests to pick from a wide variety of cuisines, plus it is just a downright fun experience for everyone. Food trucks can really lighten the mood and create a more casual atmosphere if that’s what you’re going for.
#8 Use In-Season Flowers
Even the least traditional wedding usually still includes flowers (though if you choose an alternative to flowers, no judgement here!) One easy way to save on this wedding staple is by choosing in-season flowers instead.
In Ontario, it will not be too hard to find seasonally grown flowers if you are getting married in the spring or summer. You can check out a list of Ontario grown flowers to see which ones are blooming on your wedding date here.
In-seasonal flowers cost less because they are abundant and readily available from local vendors. If you choose off-season flowers, the additional costs of shipping and transportation can add up.
When you choose in-seasonal flowers, you’ll also get the freshest picks and will likely get to experience the flowers at their full potential: they’re often blooming, full, and as picture-perfect as they will ever be!
#9 Go Thrifting
Thrift shopping has become super popular, and with good reason. You can find amazing secondhand treasures for a fraction of the cost. Often, you can even find items that look brand new - and sometimes if you’re really lucky, you can find items that are brand new with the tags still on them!
Honestly, when it comes to thrift shopping for your wedding, you can find nearly anything you are comfortable purchasing secondhand. This includes:
Wedding attire (wedding or bridesmaid dresses, shoes, accessories)
Centrepiece items, especially if you don’t mind a mix-and-match look
Decor (picture frames, vases, flower pots, garlands, etc.)
Table settings (table runners, table clothes, plates, cutlery, cups, wine glasses)
Photo booth items
This list is by no means exhaustive. If you have the time and the willingness to sift through different items, you can find some amazing deals and beautiful, unique additions for your wedding by simply shopping secondhand. There are many different thrift stores across Ontario, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a few within driving distance of your house.
For example, Kitchener has a ton of thrift stores, including Mission Thrift Store, The Perfect Find, and Talize. And remember, if you thrift a lot of items for your wedding, you aren’t stuck with them afterwards. You can donate them back to the store to help someone else who’s looking for a bargain, or sell them again!
#10 Skip The Live Band
A live band may seem like a really fun option, but the cost can really add up. A live band typically costs anywhere between $3,000 - $10,000 or more, while a DJ rarely costs more than $2,000. An extra $10,000 (or even $3,000 for that matter) can be the difference between making or breaking your budget. So unless you have a personal reason for choosing a live band - like a family member or friend is willing to play for your wedding - it’s probably best to skip it and choose a DJ instead.
Although a DJ may not come with the same ‘wow’ factor that a live band offers, there are actually a lot of benefits. Unlike a live band, a DJ can play whatever you want. This means that you can appeal to everyone at your wedding. Play a classic, slow song for the parents who can’t wait to slow dance. Choose a modern dance song for your younger guests to go wild. The options are literally endless, as your DJ will have access to any music choices and genres you request.
DJs can also take requests for songs from your guests if you allow it. You can use this to your advantage by playing wedding games with your guests and allowing the winner to select the new song. If you aren’t too sure that your guests will pick wisely, make sure you give your DJ a list of no-nos ahead of time so you can avoid any songs you really don’t want to hear.
If you are going with an all-inclusive wedding venue, DJs are sometimes included as well, so you won’t even need to spend the time looking for one! However, if you do need to find a great DJ, you can check out this list of wedding DJs available across Ontario.
Wedding Photography For Your Big Day
Documenting timeless images for Sentimental, Sweet, Fun-Loving people
If you are planning an Ontario wedding for 2022 or beyond I’d looove to connect and chat about photography or even just offer any assistance I can! Feel free to reach out - I’d love to chat!
Cheers,
Julie
