.png)
Are you thinking about getting married in Ireland? I mean, who wouldn't want an Irish wedding? There are so many options for getting married in Dublin, not to mention the whole country, which also means the costs can start to stack up. Here are 10 ways to save money on your wedding in Ireland that I guarantee you haven't thought about.
1. Cut your guest list.
Removing the plus-ones, cutting the kiddos and not inviting every colleague you've ever known is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cutting down your guest list.
You don't have to invite every single person who ever showed up at a party you hosted or helped you move into your first apartment (but they will expect an invite). You also don't need to take care of everyone in your wedding party—you can ask one or two close friends or family members instead if you're worried about offending someone by leaving them out.
If there are people who really matter most but can't attend because of distance or time constraints, consider doing something special for them afterward—a small get-together for those who couldn't make it would be a thoughtful touch that doesn't cost anything except time and effort from both parties involved.
2. Consider a mid-week wedding.
If you're thinking about marrying on a weekend, consider a weekday instead. A mid-week wedding is great for many reasons:
Venues will be less busy and thus easier to book on short notice.
You might be able to get a discount for having your wedding during their off hours.
Travel costs are lower because people don't need as much time off from work to travel out of town. In addition, travel fares are often cheaper on weekdays than they are on weekends—and if you live in Dublin, where hotels can cost hundreds of euros per night, this can add up quickly!
3. Avoid a Saturday wedding if possible.
Saturday is the most popular day for weddings. It's also the most expensive day for weddings, because it means you're competing with all the other Saturdays in your city or town (think: confirmations, birthdays, funerals etc). You'll have to pay up if you want to have everything on a Saturday, from venues to catering trucks.
If possible, consider having your wedding on Wednesday instead of Saturday. Wednesdays are less popular as dates for weddings (and many venues will give discounts during this time), and your vendors will likely have fewer clients that week anyway.
4. Plan a daytime wedding and reception.
You've probably heard that a night time wedding is more romantic and elegant, but you should consider the alternative. A daytime event lends itself to a less formal and more intimate affair. You can choose from a wide variety of venues—from the beach to your backyard—and have plenty of time for guests to socialise before dinner.
You'll also save money on photographer and videographer fees because there are fewer options for night shoots (think about how much it costs to rent out an abandoned warehouse), so fewer businesses will be competing for your business at this time of day. And don't forget about those gorgeous summer sunsets!
5. Book less popular months for your event.
While it may seem like a no-brainer to book your wedding during the off-season—and you should consider doing so, if at all possible—the best time of year is actually not in the winter. Instead, brides and grooms should book their weddings when most people are taking vacations or enjoying other activities that aren't getting married.
The most expensive months to have a wedding are May through October (aside from heavy holiday weekends). April, July, August and November will save you money. So will winter weddings: January through March is the cheapest season for nuptials!
6. Find an unconventional venue.
Many of the most popular venues for weddings are also the most expensive. But you can still have your dream wedding without breaking the bank by looking at unconventional venues instead. Unconventional spaces might not be traditional, but that doesn't mean they aren't beautiful or perfect for your big day!
Some examples of unconventional venues:
The place where you got engaged (or another meaningful spot)
Your favourite coffee shop (if it's not too busy on weekends)
Warehouses, beer gardens, garden shops...
7. Cancel your open bar, but offer beer and wine instead.
You still want your guests to be able to enjoy themselves, right? And you don't need to serve expensive liquor.
Alcohols like tequila, rum and vodka are popular at weddings because they're cheap and people know how to drink them. More expensive alcohols like scotch are not as popular.
You can save thousands of dollars by offering beer and wine instead of an open bar with expensive liquor options that most people don't even drink or know how to drink properly anyway!
8. Ask family and friends to contribute.
Ask family and friends to contribute. (Mam can make the cake, aunt can make bouquets, friend can do music/mc)
You’re going to want to ask for help from everyone you know (and even more than that). This is your wedding after all! But don’t go crazy asking people to contribute financially. The goal here is for you and your partner to save money on the wedding itself. If some of your guests are willing to pitch in with things like photography or flowers, that's great! It's important though that if you have a good relationship with them and feel comfortable asking them for help.
9. Do it yourself.
Consider the following tips when you're out looking for ways to save money on wedding decorations:
Think of ways to recycle things in your home. We've all got that one book or old lampshade that we can use as a centrepiece, right?
Don't be afraid to get creative and think outside of the box! You may have an idea that no one else has ever thought of before—and it could end up being a piece of art at your reception (and cost nothing).
Get the kids involved! Children love creating things; they'll be happy to help make your decorations if they know they'll be displayed at their mother's wedding reception. Plus, they'll enjoy helping out—and who knows, maybe they'll become interested in pursuing an artistic career later in life!
Involve family and friends too: Everyone wants a piece of this action; so call up some relatives or even some coworkers who would love contributing something special for this special occasion (maybe even something handmade).
10. It's not all about the dress.
Don't feel like you have to buy a designer gown. There are plenty of options for less expensive dresses, including rental shops, second hand stores and even making your own.
If you're going to spend thousands of dollars on a dress (and I'm sure you will), invest in the alterations. You don't want it to look you got it from 'f**king H&M' (#rupaulreference!) when you walk down the aisle, even if you did!
You should consider these cost-cutting ideas if you are planning on having a wedding in the near future
Weddings are expensive. The average cost of a wedding in Ireland is around €30,000 per couple, and that’s before you factor in travel costs, lodging and everything else. If you’re planning on having a wedding in the near future and want to save money, it's important that you consider these cost-cutting ideas:
Get married at city hall or county hall instead of getting married at a church or other religious venue; this will cut down your costs by up to 90%.
Get married on a Wednesday 😜
Cut out the guest list; only invite people who are truly important to both of you (ie parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles/cousins) so that they can bring more money with them when they attend your reception.
Buy second-hand dresses from bridal shops instead of buying new ones from bridal shops - this way you won't end up spending hundreds of thousands on something that no one will remember anyway!
Comentarios