Money Saving Tips for finding a wedding venue that won't break the bank

Picking a wedding venue on a budget can be daunting,

so here are a couple money saving ideas to keep the costs manageable.

Choose an off-peak day and/or season

The first tried and true method for lowering the price on your wedding venue is choosing an off-peak day and/or season. If you are open to having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday, you can usually score a percentage discount or a reduced guest count minimum, each of which could save you thousands. And if you are willing to have your wedding Monday-Thursday, you can save even more! Then, depending on the location of your wedding, you can go with an off-peak season (here in San Diego, that is usually December, January, and February), which will continue to drive down your venue price.

Pick a location that

doesn't need much decor

The next money-saving tip to consider when looking at a wedding venue is to pick a location that doesn't need much decor. Choosing a lush garden or an ornate building can save you tons of money on decor and flowers. Not only are you saving money, but you are also limiting the number of "things" you have to worry about in preparation for your big day.

Go public

Public parks and recreation facilities are often much more inexpensive than a traditional wedding venue (and if you are a resident of that area, they may be even more cost-effective!). Just remember when scoping out the spot to think about a location or a time that will offer a bit of privacy for you and your guests. Unless of course you are happy to share your nuptials with the neighborhood onlookers ; )

Choose a non-traditional wedding venue

Going off of the suggestion above, looking for any non-traditional wedding venue could save you big time. Although this option definitely requires a little more creativity and time, looking at venues that do not normally hold weddings may be a great way to cut costs. You may have to be a bit more flexible on your date, but choosing something non-traditional gives you a unique location to say I do that your guests are not soon to forget. Some examples could be warehouses, family and/or friend's houses (or second houses), schools, libraries, etc. The options are truly endless, but make sure that if you go this route, you take all the proper precautions (get wedding insurance, have detailed contracts, and definitely talk to your wedding planner about the pros and cons!).

Be open to a quick (or long) engagement

Alright so this one is definitely out there, and one of the less reliable options on this list, but one potential way to save on your venue is being open to a quick (or long) engagement. Now, what do I mean by this? So let's say you have your dream venue in sight, but you know it is going to be well out of your price range. One potential option is to contact the venue and ask if (a) they have any upcoming days they are looking to fill OR (b) if they can put you on a list for any potential cancellations. If you think this might be the option for you, just know that you are taking a gamble and that if the opportunity does arise, you need to be ready to move! If for some reason another couple cancels 3 or 4 months before their wedding, you need to know that you can pull everything together and get the turnout you are hoping for so that you are not ill-prepared or disappointed with the outcome. Now you may be asking yourself...why did Halie even put this on the list if it is so gosh darn complicated?...The reason is, this is what happened for my very own wedding. Our dream venue was available in 8 months (vice the standard 12ish+ months that most couples plan for) and they needed to fill their calendar, so they were offering a size-able discount that made the venue manageable for our budget.

I'm sure the above suggestions only scratch the surface of how you can save on your venue, but hopefully they give you a great starting point as you begin your search. And it should go without saying that like everything in life, the above options all have their pros and cons. However, if you are a Bride on a budget, please know that you do not need to sacrifice having a great venue if you are willing to get a little creative and be flexible.

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