How to Save Money on Your Wedding Venue

One of the biggest challenges of wedding planning is finding a place to hold your ceremony and reception--especially if you're on a budget. Here's how to save money on your wedding venue.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Get married on any day other than Saturday. Many places are much more expensive on a Saturday than on any other day, especially if you get married on a Saturday night.
2. Consider getting married during the week. This may be inconvenient for some of your guests, but it can save you quite a bit of money on rental fees. You can sometimes get reduced rates on Sunday evenings.
3. Get married during a less popular month. Wedding venues often are cheaper during January, February, March, November and early December (before the Christmas season hits full force).
4. Get married in a small town or smaller city. Rental fees can be significantly lower in rural or less urban areas than they are in the city. As a bonus, nearby hotel rooms for out-of-town guests may be cheaper, too.
5. Negotiate for the best price possible. Don't be afraid to ask for a slightly cheaper rental price if you feel it is too high. If you're getting married at a hotel, see if you can negotiate a lower price if you also reserve a block of rooms for guests.
6. Hold the wedding and the reception at the same location. Often this can cut down on your rental fees and decoration expenses.
7. Consider getting married at the home of a relative or close friend.

Tips & Warnings

• Parks often are surprisingly inexpensive places to get married if you're willing to get married outdoors.
• Avoid getting married close to Christmas or Valentine's Day, since prices often skyrocket.
• Be careful not to reserve more time than you need, since that will be wasted money.

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