7 Hacks You Hadn't Thought of to Help You Pay for Your Wedding

Weddings are expensive. In fact, according to The Knot 2015 Real Weddings Study, the national average spent on a wedding in 2017 was an estimated $32,641 (with couples tying the knot in Manhattan dropping a whopping $82,299 on their nuptials!). So, if you're totally stressing about how to come up with the cash, here are seven hacks that will help making paying for 

1. Talk to your vendors about payment plans. Typically, vendors require a deposit at the time of booking, and ask that you pay the remaining balance on the big day. If this will be a problem for you, ask if they can set you up with a payment plan for the months following your wedding to give you more time to pay off the bill. 

2. Find out if there are any package deals. Ask if you'll receive any savings or special deals by purchasing multiple services or hiring from a group of vendors. For example, some stationers may offer you a discount on your day of paper goods if you've already printed your invitations with them. And some caterers are able to offer coordination help at a lower cost than hiring an independent planner.

 3. Attend wedding events for promotions and coupons. Don't shy away from those wedding expos! Vendors often extend special deals to guests at bridal shows and events, from discount codes to free gifts. Make sure to keep the offers well-organized so you can find them if and when you need them. 

4. Enter contests and sweepstakes. Many wedding blogs and companies, including Loverly, run contests to help you win money, products, and services for the big day  (like bridesmaid dresses and honeymoons). Try your luck and you might win something that will majorly help your expenses! 

5. Use a credit card to earn points or cash back. If you plan to make major purchases on a credit card, make sure you pick one that will allow you to rack up some serious rewards. Use points to purchase your honeymoon flight, or get cash back to help with everyday expenses. Just make sure to pay of your credit card in full if you plan to utilize this method, so you don't ruin your credit or go into debt over your wedding. 

6. Make small changes to your daily purchases. Making small changes to your daily spending can have a huge impact on your savings. Just think about it... If you skip that $3.00 coffee every day for six months, that's about $550 extra dollars you could use towards something for your wedding. 

7. Sell back what you can. After your wedding, see if you can get any money back by reselling items that other couples can use, like the dress, decor, or accessories. Cha-ching!