How to Plan a Seattle Wedding on a Budget (and Still Work with the Best Vendors)
Congratulations! Seattle is a gorgeous location to get married and home to some amazing wedding vendors just waiting to make all your wedding dreams come true without breaking your budget goals.
This article explores several ways to cut costs for your wedding without compromising on quality or your vision. While DIY-ing some aspects of your wedding can be fun, the professionals have that special insight and experience to help you achieve your goals.
Venues & Decor
Don't Overlook the Weeknight Wedding
While most people think of Friday and Saturday as prime wedding days, there are lots of reasons why you might want to forgo the weekend for your big day. One reason is weekend weddings are often more expensive.
Venues want their entire week filled, so many are willing to offer better pricing if you book an event on a Sunday through Thursday.
If you’re looking to keep your nuptials small, weeknight weddings also have the benefit of discouraging out-of-town guests from attending. By maintaining a shorter guest list, couples can cut costs in many areas.
Choose a Venue with Decor Available
If you choose a wedding venue that includes tables, chairs, and other decor, you may be able to cut costs.
Including tables and chairs in your wedding package allows you to save money because you don't need to hire an additional company or pay for the delivery of these items. You can also save money on the cost of renting linens if the venue has these available to you.
Many venues have their amenity offerings listed on their website! Lairmont Manor offers round, banquet, and pub-style tables as well as chairs, china, white umbrellas, AV equipment, heaters, and more!
Or, if you’ve already fallen in love with the decor from a local vendor, perhaps your selected venue can provide the tables and you can rent the chairs you really love!
Bonus! If the venue is naturally beautiful, you won’t need to rent much decor. Many venues have a beautiful archway or natural spot perfect for the ceremony, which will save you money on renting decor for the ceremony space.
Use Decorations that Double Up
When it comes to decorating your wedding, think outside the box! Use items that can be moved and reused from your ceremony to reception.
Items like your ceremony chairs can be moved into the reception space while your guests enjoy cocktail hour. Your wedding party’s bouquets also make beautiful centerpieces when they’re placed in a vase at the reception tables.
Couples can get very creative when they work with their venues and decor vendors to reimagine each item as a decoration in both the ceremony and reception spaces!
Floral
Ask Your Florist What Flowers are In Season
Buying flowers that are in season is always the best way to go. It's cheaper and better for the environment, too!
Consider using flowers that are in season year-round, such as Roses, Tulips, and Calla Lilies, which are quite popular for wedding use.
If you're interested in a certain flower, but it’s not in season, talk to your florist about alternatives that will give the same vibe to your bouquet! While you may be in love with peonies that bloom in spring if your wedding is in the fall your florist might suggest using garden roses or mums to achieve a similar look and cut costs.
Florists are true artists with the knowledge to create your dream look in a way that will fit your budget.
Don’t Shy Away from Flower Alternatives
When you're designing your bouquet, don't underestimate the value of greenery. It adds color and texture without putting a dent in your budget.
Plants like eucalyptus, myrtle, ferns, and lemon leaf are all beautiful alternatives that are becoming more popular in wedding bouquets, centerpieces, and accents to beautiful wedding arches.
This gorgeous tablescape from Pollen In Love is proof that greenery can be a spectacular and fresh alternative to floral arrangements!
Wedding Gowns & Attire
Get a Jump on Dress Shopping
Getting your wedding attire is a big deal, so it's important to make sure you order it at least eight or nine months in advance. This way, you'll avoid rush fees and last-minute alterations, which can significantly increase your dress costs.
This means you should probably start shopping about a year out to give yourself enough time to browse boutiques, coordinate schedules with your friends, and make appointments.
Watch Social Media for Upcoming Sales
Wedding salons frequently use social media to announce special pricing and promotions. To keep up with your favorite local boutique, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, or even TikTok. You might learn about trunk shows, sample sales, or special promotions like 10 percent off, 20 percent off jewelry, or a free veil with purchase.
Not only is it a great way to get in on the latest sales and deals, but it's also a good way to stay updated on exciting new styles from local boutiques that are always adding new products to their collections!
Try a Trunk Show
Trunk shows are often an excellent option for couples who want designer gowns/attire at a good price—and some salons even offer special deals on customization!
If you're looking to save some major cash while still getting exactly what you want, you should also check out Seattle Wedding Show’s Gown Sale. Each year wedding attire stores offer Seattle Wedding Show attendees everything from designer gowns to veils at significantly discounted pricing. With hundreds of options to choose from, large communal dressing rooms, and a place for family and friends to sit, it’s a great opportunity to say “yes to the dress” for less!
This photo is from Belle Bridal, one of the five vendors who will participate in the Seattle Wedding Show Gown Sale!
Learn more about this year’s participating boutiques on our website!
Buy at the End of the Wedding Season
The end of the wedding season is the best time to get a deal on wedding attire. Boutiques are trying to clear space in their stores for the next season and often have a wider range of discounted dresses and sales.
With the wedding season extending from late spring through early fall, winter is a great time to begin your gown search.
Cakes & Desserts
Try the Wedding Cake Fake Out
One tradition many couples cherish is cutting the first piece of their wedding cake together. However, if buying an elaborate cake is out of budget for you, consider trying the wedding cake fake out.
Work with your amazing cake vendor to create a beautiful cutting cake for you and your spouse to participate in the tradition, then feed your guests slices of delicious sheet cake prepared by your cake vendor for serving!
Your guests still get delicious and quality cake while you avoid breaking your budget.
Naked Cakes are More Than Just an Aesthetic
Naked cakes are all the rage, and we love them for their simplicity and affordability.
Naked cakes are perfect for couples who want to save money on their wedding cake without sacrificing elegance or style. By eliminating the buttercream and fondant it takes to cover traditional wedding cakes, couples can save a significant amount per slice.
This simple, and natural cake is from The SweetSide bakery which specializes in gorgeous wedding cakes and dessert bars. You can see more of their work at the Seattle Wedding Show this year.
Opt for a Dessert Bar instead of a Cake
If you're looking for a fresh take on wedding desserts, a dessert bar is a perfect choice. Your guests will have a wide variety of professional sweets to choose from and you can save some money by not purchasing a large wedding cake.
From cookies and brownies to cheesecake and macaroons, a dessert bar is a unique way to treat your guests to something sweet without having to cut into your budget.
Choose a Simple Cake Design
Simple does not mean boring! You can save hundreds of dollars on your wedding cake by choosing a simple and chic design rather than a big, elaborate, or ornate cake.
You don't have to go crazy with details to get a beautiful cake; if you stick with simple colors and keep the decorations minimal, you'll be able to keep costs low without sacrificing beauty or quality.
This cutting cake from Cascadia Cake Design is a perfect example of a simple and elegant cake. While their ornate designs are stunning, a simple and quality cake done well can make a beautiful impact too!
Bar & Catering
Signature Cocktails are the New Open Bar
If you're worried about breaking the bank on bar costs, try having a signature cocktail or two instead of an open bar.
Serving your guests a favorite drink of yours and your partner will keep costs down. A full bar can get expensive quickly, so this is a great way to offer libations without going overboard.
Make it a whole experience! Our friends at Kitsap Bartending serve signature cocktails out of a renovated VW bus that your guests will love! It’s a perfect photo op that will keep your guests entertained during cocktail hour.
Kitsap Bartending
For a full list of all the wonderful bartending services in the Seattle Wedding Show this year, check out our website. These vendors are sure to knock your socks off with their fun and imaginative signature cocktail ideas!
Find a Bartender that Lets You Buy Your Own Alcohol
Hiring a bartender and purchasing your own alcohol is a great way to save thousands of dollars! Purchasing your alcohol for your reception at liquor store pricing and being able to return the leftovers will have a huge effect on your budget.
Of course, buying your own alcohol requires some prior planning—you'll need to know exactly how much booze you're going to need for the entire night and early morning hours (for those who stay over).
But if these things don't scare you away from this option, then go right ahead! You'll be saving on your bar tab while enjoying a fun party with friends and family members.
Photography
Maximize Your Photographer's Time
It’s okay to shop around for a photographer who offers a package that best fits your needs on your wedding day! While one photographer’s package might start at 8 hours, another’s may start at 10 hours. Comparing costs and inclusions will get you the closest package to what you want!
Decide what photos are important to you, and how you can make the most of your photographer’s time. You may decide to skip “getting ready” photos to maximize their time at the ceremony or reception.
Your photographer probably has great ideas on maximizing time as well, it’s never a bad idea to consult with your photographer for their thoughts. After all, they have the experience of hundreds of weddings under their belt!
Ask for a Second Shooter
A second shooter isn't just someone who snaps a few photos while you're getting ready. They're an experienced photographer who works alongside your primary photographer to capture beautiful details and additional shots during the event.
Many photographers have second shooters they often work with to capture the getting-ready shots, venue details, and the ceremony. While you will have to pay more for the second shooter, having two means more photos can be taken in a smaller amount of time saving you money on hours.
Kimberly from Into Dust Photography was the primary photographer at A & J’s Seattle wedding and she shot hundreds of photos capturing every aspect of the day. Her second photographer — Connor Fergusson Photo — focused on film shots, capturing beautiful details and the special moments in between.
Into Dust Photography // Conor Fergusson Photo
We hope this article gave you a few great ideas on how to maximize your wedding budget while still working with the best of the best wedding vendors!
There are too many wonderful vendors to mention them all, but you can see a full list of all the vendors who will be at the Seattle Wedding Show on our website!
