If you plan on getting married soon, you know that it will likely be expensive. There are ways to have a more modest wedding, but what if you have a dream venue that you know will be costly to rent?
The average wedding venue cost is around $6,000, with some venues being available as cheaply as $3,000 and others costing as much as $11,000 or more. Are there any ways to drive down this cost, though?
We will talk about some options that won’t be so hard on your wallet in the following article.
Rent the Venue on a Weekday
One option is to rent the venue on a weekday. Some venues where it’s appropriate to have a wedding are available during the week as well as on the weekend.
It might be a bit more challenging to get everyone on your list to come if you have the wedding on a weekday, but perhaps they can manage it if you give them enough notice. You might have the wedding on a Monday or a Thursday. That way, it’s at least close enough to the weekend to allow your friends and relatives to take a long weekend off from work in order to attend.
Have the Wedding During the Off-Season
There are times of the year when most weddings happen, such as spring and summer. These are considered to be “wedding season” because the weather is usually nicer in most parts of the country, so you can have outdoor weddings or receptions.
However, if you’ve got your heart set on a particular venue, and that venue is expensive, you can probably get it at a cheaper rate if you rent it at a time of year when it’s less in demand.
Having a winter wedding might not be ideal in some ways. However, if cost is your main concern, you and your guests can probably make it work. You just won’t be able to have the wedding or reception outdoors.
Have the Entire Event at One Venue
Some couples who are getting married like to have multiple venues for the event. You might rent a formal hall for the wedding itself, but then have the reception at another location.
Eliminating additional venues can cut back on the overall wedding cost. If you can find a way to have both the wedding and the reception afterwards at the same location, that can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Having a Cheaper Wedding is Possible
Many times, if you get creative, you can still have your wedding at your chosen venue, even if it’s usually pretty pricey. One thing you can do is to have the wedding, reception, and any other events associated with your big day all at the same locale. That way, you won’t need to spend money renting multiple facilities.
You can also have your wedding at a time of the year when not as many people get married. Sometimes, having a late fall or winter wedding can significantly reduce the venue rental price.
You might also choose to have the wedding on a less popular day of the week. Having it on a weekday might make it a little tougher for some of your guests to attend, but most of them should be able to swing it if you give them enough advance notice. Most venues will not charge nearly as much for a weekday rental.
By following this guide, you make it more likely that you can rent the venue you’ve had your eye on, and you won’t need to completely drain your bank account to do it.
Image from this real wedding
