Look, I’ll admit it. In my own personal life I’m not thrifty. I get my hair done and my nailz did on the regular, am not afraid of a shopping spree, and have been known to pay excessive amounts for fruit and eco-safe cleaning products. I like the good things in life and I filter my hard earned dollars into certain ‘wants’ that may seem a little OTT.

But when it comes to getting the absolute maximum when it comes to stitching quality with the shortest thread of gold, then I am your gal!

So your budget is blowing out, and you still have a quadrillion things to add in there to make this wedding your dream day. By any standard, budgets are always hard to stick to. I’ve worked with brides who’s budgets could buy a euro soccer team, right through to a backyard blitz boho bridey with 3 months of savings for the entire wedding… so trust me, there are ways to reel it in and get the most out of your money regardless of where your bottom line sits.

So here are just a few ones to look at and tick off as you go. See what resonates with you: pick one, pick all! Whatever works for your vision of how this day is going to unfold – get creative with this!

Negotiate like a Pro | remember that everyone has movement. I always suggest taking the time when deciding on say your venue, to really work out the majority of what you want, i.e. venue hire, food, drinks, cake, linen anything that the venue will be providing. Pop it all in your budget, and ask for a flat discount. Either a percentage off i.e. 10% or a nominal amount off the total bill. Be specific about what you want. And ask for upgrades. The worse they can say is no. In my experience, I’ve never had a flat out no.

Side note: Please be nice when you ask for favours – yes you are bringing the venue business, but that doesn’t give you license to be rude. Kill them with kindness, and follow up with what you want. Be genuine and remember to ask your venue rep first. If they don’t have the power to be the decision maker, ask kindly if you can have their superiors details. Or if at a florist, deal with the shop or business owner when negotiating.

Mmmm Cake | A few ways you can work this to your cash saving favour. I love the idea of a homemade cake. Those exposed layer cakes that we are seeing everywhere, including here are a great way to have a beautiful cake minus the fondant charge. Even swapping your fondant for buttercream icing can have an impact on the price. I also love the idea of a family member or talented friend making the cake, cover with fresh flowers and you have something pretty fab. Cake toppers can be super cute, like this here and inexpensive too, yay! And also, the size can be smaller (unless you are Italian… I know your cakes mean business!) or even a few smaller ones and avoid the ‘wedding cake’ surcharge from your supplier.

It’s my Party | psychologically, think of it as a PARTY rather than a wedding. Woo yeah party! It will give it less focus on what you are ‘expected’ to have. If you don’t want place cards, don’t have them. If you don’t want to give bonbonnieres then don’t. t’s your party. You can gift if you want to. All these little unnecessary necessities can really spike those costs, so think about what YOU want, not what is expected.

Re-use Re-cycle | One of my rad brideys asked her mother and mother in law to donate gold jewellery that they no longer want or wear. They melted down the gold and made their wedding bands. Super sentimental. And why not make it your own, by engraving something beautiful into the inner band.

Cut the Crap | *tough skin required for this one, and definitely against tradition so hold on to your pantaloons… By ‘crap’, I mean your guest list. I know this may be impossible for some of you, however I think tradition can be thrown out the window a little with this one. Have who you want at your wedding, not every single person who invited you to theirs, or extended family members you haven’t seen for 15 years, and no you don’t have to invite a plus one for all guests coming solo. Invite who YOU as a couple want to spend that special day with and who will be well wishing you all the way to the altar. There has definitely been a trend for smaller weddings and this can have a huge impact on cost and choice for you. So really look at that list and think about who you truly want in your presence on the day. Telling people ‘we’re having a tiny little ceremony, close family and a few friends only’ is enough of an explanation. *note: if your parents are helping to pay, remember they also have a say.

+ one word of advice that I always give my DIY brides, and this relates to all of you, regardless of whether you are DIYing, have a planner or a consultant or even a venue wedding rep helping you: Do one thing to completion and perfection, rather than 5 things half assed. Yes, I said assed. If it’s not there, no one will notice it…

Example | Seating plan: get a nice large frame (you can DIY this with cool wood (natural or painted or cover in floral) or ask your reception venue what they have on site..), get the exact dimensions, get your graphic designer to whip something up with beautiful fonts and in line with your placecards / menus / theme, get it printed at officeworks (or equivalent.. get two copies) to the correct size (ask them to cut it down if needed), and drop it to the venue for them to set up on the day. If you create a seating plan and it’s printed out on A4 pieces of paper, stuck on cardboard, sitting on a budget wonky stand – people will notice. Do it properly or don’t do it at all!

If you’ve been following me for a while, you will know I’m all about the thoughtful. So again, saving takes thought. Be thoughtful and you will save. It’s that simple.

How have you been savvy with your saving? Got any awesome tips for our Brideys? Shout it out below!