8 fun ways to reduce wedding costs

Given that weddings in Singapore do not come cheap, most couples keep an eye on cost so that they won't break the bank.

We're not talking about cutting corners, but we are talking about finding imaginative new ways to have fun creating some of the aspects of your wedding yourselves.

You can cut back on expenses for wedding invitations, centrepieces, decorations, flowers, jewellery and music, for example, while letting your creative juices flow.

The outcome will be a wedding pulsing with gorgeous personal touches by you and your fiancee.

Fun Tips To Reduce Wedding Costs

1. Design your own save-the-date notifications and invitations.

Your save-the-date notifications and the wedding invitations give your guests a first glimpse of what your wedding will be like.

Designing them yourselveswill lend a very personal and unique touch.

With the right approach, this can be a creative and effective way to cut your costs.

Nowadays, there is a lot of diverse software out there to help you create your own designs.

You can also look up do-it-yourself kits online that will guide you all the way from designing to printing the invitations.

Alternatively, you might choose to create a digital design on your own and have the printing done professionally by a local vendor.

Just remember to be honest with yourself when assessing your creative and technical skills in lay-outing and styling your invitations.

If you are not very confident, consider asking a more talented family member or close friend to help you out as a wedding gift.

2. Decorate the tables with edible centrepieces.

Enormous centrepieces can actually inhibit conversations around the table.

Opt for edible centrepieces such as pretty bowls and plates filled with chips, chicken fingers, dips and sauces.

Your guests might appreciate the edible treats more than an expensive and large centrepiece that you won't be able to use again after the wedding anyway.

3. Buy fabric by the yard instead of finished linens.

You do not need to use finished linens in order to have a beautifully decorated wedding venue.

To keep costs down, visit your local fabric store and search out nice fabric that is sold by the yard.

Sheer material can be a good choice because it doesn't need finished edges and has a pleasing look, especially when layered.

Use your fabric to decorate high ceilings, make chair bows, cover tables and line the wedding aisle.

4. Make your own flower arrangements.

Choose maximum two or three kinds of locally grown flowers that are in season and buy them from a wholesale florist.

Alternatively, you can also craft your own paper flowers.

Just make sure to use recycled paper to be respectful to the environment.

5. Wear family jewellery.

Your engagement rings and wedding bands aside, you really don't need to spend money on your wedding jewellery.

Consider asking family members if they can lend you something nice to wear on your big day.

This will tick the box for "something borrowed", save you money and make your big day even more memorable.

6. Limit the live music; play your favourite songs.

If you are hiring musicians to play live music, you may be able to save some money by limiting their time to specific key moments when they need to perform, for example, the first dance.

For the rest of the wedding, you can use a playlist of your and your groom's favourite songs presented on your own audio equipment.

7. Create your own menu cards, escort cards, and table numbers.

Create your own menu cards to describe your chosen entrees, main courses and desserts.

There are already a lot of great ideas and templates at various websites such as Pinterest and The Knot.

You can simply download, edit and print, mounting your texts on fancy paperboard, or you can try your hand at calligraphy or painting.

Either way, a personalised set of menu cards will add some nice eye-catchers to your buffet table of delicious food.

You can also save you a couple of dollars in the process. Likewise, you can make matching escort cards and table numbers to help your guests find their seats.

If you're able to come up with a solution that can double as escort cards and thank-you cards, you'll be killing two birds with one stone.

8. Create your own personalised wedding favours.

If you and your groom are creative and enjoy doing crafts, you can really cut your expenses by creating your own wedding favours.

Enlist the help of your family members, your wedding party and your other close friends.

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