Want to know some of the best ways to find wedding decorations on a budget and you want to save money? Well, it’s your lucky day! These are 7 creative ways to to lower the cost of your wedding decor and still have the dreamy wedding aesthetic you dream of.
Finding wedding decorations on a budget can be a very big challenge, especially when all things wedding are pricey. If you know a few strategies before going about looking for your decor, you can save a ton of money (and can then use it in other places like a honeymoon or house down payment).
Having just gotten married last year, I feel your pain, but I also found some great solutions on how to save on wedding decorations on a budget. If you are able to get creative, you’ll see your budget go a lot further!
You’re going to find a lot more clarity on how to go about the search for wedding decor on a budget, and even be inspired to find your own creative solutions. From DIY wedding decorations, simple wedding decoration ideas for reception, affordable wedding decor rentals, and more, you’ll see your Pinterest dreams coming to life at a fraction of the cost. The stress that often accompanies spending money will be decreased A LOT. I’ve been there. I got you!
This post is all about how to lower your costs on wedding decorations on a budget.
How to Find Wedding Decorations on a Budget
1. Rent
Wedding decor rentals are seriously THE BEST. Not only is it usually a ton cheaper than buying all of your decor, it’s super convenient as well. Renting your decor gives you the perk of not having to hold onto the items after your wedding.
Most wedding decor rentals will allow for clients to come and see the inventory in person. This allows for you to see your vision coming to life, and create a good combination of decorations that fit your budget appropriately.
Another amazing thing that these rental companies usually do is provide shipping. This is such a convenient offering as you don’t want to have to organize logistics and worry about this. Keep it simple! I rented wedding decor from a local company, and since they had a relationship with my venue already, it was totally seamless.
If you are looking to save money and want wedding decorations on a budget, but don’t want to sacrifice on quality and cuteness, you should seriously consider renting your decor. Trust me, you don’t need to have those candle stick holders and bird houses after your wedding.
2. Thrift
You may be reading this and thinking, ew… you may also be reading this and thinking, HECK yeah! Thrifting is a huge passion of mine, so this one excites me, but if you don’t like going to good will, hear me out.
Yes, you can find some amazing stuff at home goods stores, wedding boutiques, etc. But you’ll be shocked at how much of the exact same stuff gets dropped off at thrift shops. (Hence the comment I just made about not wanting to hold onto wedding decor after your wedding.)
You’ll spend a fraction of the cost when you shop at thrift stores, and you may even find the quality being better. Just give it a little wash, and it’ll be your new treasure. Not to mention, you are consuming much more responsibly by thrifting your decor.
One thing to really keep in mind if you plan to thrift for your wedding decor, this process takes time. You’re going to want to start looking for what you want pretty early on. You can’t guarantee candle stick holders or gold frames will be there, and it may take a few trips before you find exactly what you want. Be flexible with your style, and embrace the vintage!
{RELATED POST: TOP 5 FREE WEDDING PLANNING APP OPTIONS EVERY BRIDE NEEDS TO TRY}
3. Borrow From Family and Friends
This is one of my top favorite ways to save money on wedding decorations on a budget. Your family and friends want to help you. Sometimes they don’t know how! This gives the perfect opportunity for them to contribute to your big day.
My husband’s Aunt provided us with easels, our friends with a crystal jar for cards. My brother had his in-laws lend picture frames. Sometimes brides want unique furniture for their venue, and that’s a perfect thing to borrow!
This is a very creative way to save money on your wedding decor costs. Family often have accumulated nice things that can be used. Sometimes friends have gotten married recently and can also lend their own decor they used!
4. Shop Off Season
Like most things, wedding decorations get more expensive when the demand is high. By shopping during the off seasons, especially fall and winter, will give you a bit of a break in terms of how expensive your wedding decorations are.
Looking for sales and clearances can allow you to stretch you budget so much further than you would if you buy decorations at the same time as everyone else. This takes foresight, and you’ll need to plan ahead, knowing what you want months ahead of time.
Another area that this applies is when you order prints or canvases of photos. Often this cost can really add up quick. If you are patient and give yourself time to wait for a sale to come around, you’ll save a lot of money.
5. DIY
You’ll find very mixed reviews on whether or not DIY project are worth it for your wedding decorations, but there is no doubt that the cost overall is much better when you make wedding decorations on a budget. The amount of time is what you need to consider with this one, and whether or not your projects usually turn out “wedding worthy”.
To provide an example, I wish that I had made my own wood backdrop. It cost me probably 5 times the amount that it would have had I built it myself, and I’m sure I could have made it.
If you are confident in your DIY skills, or even if you have a friend or family member who can help you, this can be a very effective way to bring in wedding decorations on a budget. Event if you combine it with some of the other strategies I’ve mentioned.
Keep in mind the time it’ll take to make, and plan ahead. Know the costs of your materials, and decide whether it is actually saving your money, or just adding another thing that you have to do.
6. Use Venue Options
Many venues will have wedding decor that you can use, with the cost being included in the price of using the space. If this is the case for your wedding venue, or if you can negotiate having that be part of the price you pay, this is another great way to save money on wedding decorations on a budget.
When deciding whether or not to go with this option, you’ll want to see the decor, and maybe even see it staged. Some venues may not have the most up to date, trendy decor that you’re hoping for. If they do though, you’re golden!
Another creative option would be to offer the wedding venue to keep your wedding decor that you buy (bring them a list of what you might buy), and see if they will lower your cost to use the space.
Using your Venue to your advantage is a great way to save money on wedding decorations. Get creative and think outside the box!
{RELATED POST: 53 KEY ITEMS FOR YOUR DREAM WEDDING VENUE CHECKLIST}
7. Look for New Shops Needing Marketing
You’d be surprised how much businesses are willing to do for some good marketing. Especially with the power of social media, you could find another way to get a discount.
This is not guaranteed, but with a bit of work, you can probably get a pitch together that will be accepted. If you offer a smaller or newer business (wether it is a wedding rental business or if you buy decor outright) to market for them by tagging them in all posts and creating content on your social media specifically about how great they were to work with, you may be able to get a discounted price.
Marketing is a great value proposition, especially in the wedding industry. Find a way to pitch this offer and don’t be afraid of rejection.
If you are willing to think outside the box and get creative, there are many ways to save in overall costs on wedding decorations. Don’t be afraid to find wedding decorations on a budget, it is completely possible.
[…] 7 Ways to Lower the Cost of Wedding Decor – Wedding Decorations on a Budget […]