Expert advice from professionals in the know!

#1

Combine, Combine, Combine

Turn your favors into place cards. Provide floral wrapping paper or bags for your guests to take home the blooms in your centerpieces (without taking the vase). Transfer the florals from the ceremony to the reception tables (even the arrangements on the arch can be reused, just have your florist design them that way). Have a sweet treat for your guests made on site (entertainment, favor, and dessert!) 

Even Services can be combined sometimes! A lot of vendors will offer different services other than the main services they are known for. Look into production companies that combine multiple services into one contract. They are usually already at a discounted rate! 

#2

Rent, Borrow, or Re-Use

Ask your florist if you can supply the vases, or rent the vases from the florist and have them ALL returned after the event. Just make sure that Aunt Ida doesn’t run off with the table 9 centerpiece. 

Rental Companies, Wedding Planners, and Florists have stock rooms full of left over goods from past events. I know I do! And most are willing to let you rent out vases, candlesticks, arches, aisle runners, bird cages, cake stands, etc. at half the cost of buying them new on your own. 

Check out resale blog spots and thrift stores to get gently used items for your wedding! 

#3

Get Creative with Time

Traditionally weddings are held in the late afternoon or evening. But having a morning or lunch time event can change a lot of prices! Catering prices go down because lunch is a lighter course than dinner. There is not so much pressure to feed guests for a cocktail hour. Drinking from the open bar can easily be limited and themed with brunch style cocktails. And venue choices broaden, adding restaurants and bars that can’t be privately reserved during the evening hours. 

If your worried about losing the party atmosphere during the daylight hours, add an optional after party at a secured location later that evening. After parties allow you and your guests to enjoy dancing (and drinking) the night way without you having to directly pay for the DJ or Bar Service. And it allows Grandpa to make it home before bedtime. 

#4

Ditch the Seating Chart

Not only does this save you time and stress in the last couple weeks before your wedding, but it saves you money on place cards, escort cards, table numbers, and the extra cost of a plated dinner. Buffets, food stations, and family style dining are becoming more popular options for weddings, and this eliminates the need to have assigned seating. To help your guests still feel like they were personally thought of, have a favor display with one for each guest. label the favors with names and personalized messages on each one.

#5

Invite Less People

I know it sounds harsh. And for some families, it just isn’t an option. But almost everything you purchase for your wedding is a per person cost. We’re talking invitations, tables, chairs (2 per person- ceremony and reception), linens, centerpieces, size of dance floor, food, drinks, cake (often both per serving and cake cutting service), favors, stationary, etc. When you add everything up, it’s not just the $35 per person dinner cost that increases. Nearly every cost goes up. Adding just 10 more guests can make the a $1,000 increase to your wedding expenses, and that’s on a modest budget. 

Want more details about what is listed above? I’d be happy to point you in the direction of some great resources both in San Diego and internet based! Email me at

juliette@simplyelegantweddingplanning.com