It is without doubt, that your venue and caterer will be the ones to yield the highest bills for your wedding. This makes them the most important area to scrutinize as you are preparing your budget. Another cost that is determined by the amount of guests you invite, locking in an affordable per person rate, will save you money exponentially. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind as you are searching for the perfect venue:
Keep your venue and caterers separate
There are scores of venues who provide you with on-site catering services, which is convenient, but leaves little room for negotiation in the budget. Consider seeking a venue that permits you to bring in an outside caterer of your choice. This will allow you to seek out the most affordable options for both, while also giving you the flexibility to really choose what you want, rather than be limited by the food and beverage options that a venue with on-site catering has to offer.
Seek alternate wedding spaces
Think outside the box as you look for the perfect venue. There are many places that would make for a perfect setting to celebrate your marriage, outside of typical venues like a restaurant, hotel or hall. Consider a location like an old barn, a park, a historic library or museum. Most of these options will be less expensive than your average hall because they aren’t depending on weddings as their main source of income. Hosting your wedding will be a bonus to them, thus leaving you more room for lower rates and negotiation.
Keep it together
We have mentioned the benefits of having your wedding at a hotel in several of our money saving tips. This applies for your venue, especially. The more money you spend, the more of a discount your hotel will be able to offer you. When you consider that you will be having your wedding at a location where your guests are also spending money to stay overnight, you are providing the hotel with a lot of business. Have your rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and/or next day brunch, at the same hotel, and expect to see even more savings.
Don’t forget to check back for more tips in our money saving series!
