With the holiday season in full swing, we are all looking for ways to save money. Not only is it the season of gift giving, but also for engagements. In fact, more couples get engaged in December than any other month of the year. For all the newest husbands and wives-to-be, we are happy to present 12 days of tips to help you save money on your upcoming wedding! The 12 tips will be delivered over the next couple of months. Today starts tip #1:
Photo by Anastasia PhotographyI don’t know about you, but the weddings I am invited to seem to come in waves, which indicates that there are certain times of the year which are more popular (and in more demand) than others. There is no doubt that your savings will be significant by booking your wedding during times when venues and vendors are at their slowest. Let’s explore some of the advantages:
More room for negotiation
Remember the rule of supply and demand. If you are considering a venue that has no bookings for several dates in their off-season, they are losing money. Take advantage of the fact that you are filling an open spot by inquiring if there may be some wiggle room in their rates.[divider]
Lower rates for accommodations
If you have a significant amount of guests coming from out of town, you will save them money on their lodging costs during your hotel’s off-season. The extra savings could mean a more generous wedding gift for you! Additionally you will save on your own accommodations if you are choosing to stay overnight in a hotel on the night or weekend of your wedding. Those honeymoon suites can be pricey![divider]
More dates to choose from
Often, your wedding date is determined by the availability of your venue. When you are booking during the off-season, you may have your pick of several dates within the month you are interested in. This gives you the option of choosing a day that might have significance to you (maybe the date of your first kiss or first date, or the day you got engaged).[divider]
Your choice of venues
If you have your heart set on a particular venue that may be booked solid, an off-season wedding might be your shot at landing that dream locale. At one of the locations we were considering for my wedding, the venue coordinator told us that some people book their weddings and events up to five years in advance! The same holds true for your vendors. Your best bet at landing your first choices are to book them when you will have less competition.[divider]
Keep in mind that off-season means different things in different parts of the country and the world. For example, in the northern United States, off-season are the winter months (December-March), whereas in the summer is the off-season for the south.
Don’t forget to check back for more tips in our money saving series!