A wedding is the most expensive party most of us will ever throw. Many couples want family and friends to eat, drink, dance and celebrate their love to mark the start of a new stage in life with them.
The costs, however, can stack up pretty quickly.
LINK spoke to Katie Meckstroth, a wedding planner and owner of Simply Designed Events, about planning a wedding on a budget. Meckstroth has worked with all types of budgets, so she gave some advice applicable to all weddings and specific to Northern Kentucky.
“My two biggest tips are to identify your priorities as a couple and to work with a wedding planner,” Meckstroth said.
LINK asked Meckstroth what couples usually spend the most money on.
“The biggest wedding budget priorities are typically the elements that most impact the guest experience—venue, food and beverages, and photography/videography,” Meckstroth said.
With that in mind, LINK put together some cost-cutting tips.
Get prepared
Meckstroth stressed how important it is to have a plan and start making it early. Creating a list of priorities and non-negotiables for your wedding helps a wedding planner stay within a budget.
“Knowing what matters most to you, whether it’s food, photography, music, or something else, helps you allocate your budget intentionally,” Meckstroth said.
Additionally, those initial needs and wants can help a wedding planner better accommodate a budget level.
“Most planners offer a range of packages that accommodate different budget levels,” Meckstroth said. “Every client is unique, and part of our role is matching couples with quality vendors who fit their budget while still delivering a great experience.”
Pare down the guest list
“Your guest count has the biggest impact on venue and catering costs, so being intentional with your guest list is the first place to start,” Meckstroth said.
Most weddings will provide food, drinks and venue space to accommodate all guests. The more guests on the list, the pricier all of those budget items get. To put it in perspective, Meckstroth explained that the average cost of a wedding in Northern Kentucky is $25,000-$30,000 for around 100 guests.
Choose the right venue
“There is a lot that goes into venues and their expense,” Meckstroth said. “A lot depends on location, size and the services they provide.”
For example, hosting a wedding in one of the rural parts of Northern Kentucky can be less expensive than an urban area. However, Meckstroth advises couples to consider big picture costs, like transportation.
Some venues are all-inclusive, meaning that the couple will pay them to handle food, beverages, music, table setting, and more. However, the more that a venue offers, the more expensive it’s going to get.
“The venues that have a liquor license and staff their own bartenders and food are typically going to be more expensive than venues where you are doing all of the work and bringing in all of the vendors,” Meckstroth said.
Find the cheap options
When bringing in outside vendors like florists, caterers, and more, there are a range of budget options. This is another part of the process where hiring a wedding planner can help cut costs.
“Hiring a planner can [ . . . ] often save money by guiding you toward vendors who fit your budget,” Meckstroth said.
Asking questions can help a couple find vendor options that allow for budget flexibility. For example, Jan Caldwell at Fort Thomas Florists & Greenhouses listed ways to save money on flowers.
“The more complicated a bouquet is, the more time it takes to make it, the more expensive it will be,” Caldwell said.
The types of flowers make a difference too. Carnations, Gerber daisies, and flowers from the chrysanthemum family are generally cheaper than orchids or lilies.
This idea of a range of options, some cheaper than others, also applies to food.
For a less expensive meal option, Meckstroth suggested a pasta or taco bar. When and where the food comes from can impact cost as well.
“Choosing a meal that has in season fruits and vegetables or something that is easier to cook in bulk will help keep the cost down,” Meckstroth said.
Additionally, limiting meal options will lower food costs and make the budget less variable. The same goes for beverages.
“You can reduce bar costs by offering beer and wine only, providing a limited selection of signature cocktails, or avoiding a full open bar,” Meckstroth said.