19 Expert Options for How to Save Money on a Wedding Venue

When it comes to how to save money on a wedding venue, there is a lot of misinformation out there. What's more, some of the best ways to actually save money on a wedding venue seem counterintuitive at first glance. That's why I'm so glad you've landed here—so you can hear from the experts what steps you should and shouldn't take to find an affordable wedding venue that fits your wedding vision.

These budget-savvy tips will let you have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank. After all, no matter how large or small your wedding budget is, no one wants to waste money, especially on the most expensive wedding expense: the venue.

1. Stick to Your Wedding Venue Budget

What good is a wedding budget estimate if you promptly ignore it right after you put it together? According to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study, couples typically spend about 37% of their overall wedding budget breakdown on the venue. Given that a wedding venue is such a major investment, it's a no-brainer that you should find one that fits your needs and doesn't waste money.

Before you sign on the dotted line for a wedding venue, it's important to have a clear picture of how much you want to spend on the wedding overall and how your venue choice will affect your budget. Carrie Negri, director of operations at Emily Coyne Events in California, warns that overspending on a wedding venue can create an adverse domino effect on the rest of your budget. "If you overspend on your venue, you won't have enough budget remaining to spend on other areas that may be important to you, such as music, decor, and florals," she says.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

Once you have a clear picture of your wedding venue budget, you can check out amazing venue options, at every pricepoint, at The Knot Vendor Marketplace. This tool allows you to find venue options that range from inexpensive to luxury so that you can book the best spot for your budget and your needs.

2. Be Transparent With Your Venue

You may have heard people claim that you can save money on your wedding by simply not telling a business that they're being hired for a wedding. That is a major no-no for a few reasons. Firstly, it's simply poor etiquette to lie to your vendors. Moreover, it also doesn't actually work. Your vendors will see right through you from the beginning. And in addition to charging you their fair, standard price that they charge all couples, they may actually become less willing to be flexible with budget-conscious asks because you didn't negotiate in good faith but rather started on a bad foot.

3. Trim Your Guest List

Cutting down your guest list is a challenging task to accomplish, but once you notice the savings start to accrue exponentially, it'll all be worth it. Anastasia Shevchenko, co-owner of Sheff Production Photography & Videography in Los Angeles, explains that minimizing your guest list is a good way to save money on a wedding venue. "A smaller guest list means you need less space, which can reduce your venue costs."

Not only will trimming your guest list save you money on a venue since you'll be able to book a small wedding venue, but it'll also help you save money in other areas. You'll have fewer people to feed so your catering budget can decrease. Additionally, you'll need fewer rentals and fewer centerpieces which will help you stretch your budget.

4. Read Reviews and Research Thoroughly

"How did the venue deliver previously?" This is a question that wedding venue owner Kathie Jacobsen encourages couples to answer. The pro owns La Joya Dulce in Colorado and emphasizes that reading reviews and understanding how a venue has worked with couples' budgets in the past is key to future success. Shevchenko echoes her sentiments: Always compare prices and visit multiple venues before making a decision."

5. Pick an Off-Peak Date and Time

"Embrace off-peak times," advises Jennifer Cortiella, owner of Cortiella Photography in Florida. She explains that doing so can help you reduce venue costs significantly. Negri agrees adding that couples can "consider having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday, or host your event during the off-peak season for lower pricing."

Off-peak is inclusive of the wedding date, time and day of the week. September and October are typically the most popular months to get married. However, choosing to wed in January or February may save you money. Similarly, most weddings are held on Saturdays, but many venues offer discounted rates for weekday weddings. And some venues may even offer special prices for morning weddings.

6. Hire a Planner

Working with a wedding planner may end up saving you money on your wedding budget in the long run. A wedding planner has experience navigating budget questions and will be able to advise you on money-saving ideas while also preventing you from falling victim to budget mistakes. Nora Sheils, founder of Bridal Bliss and co-founder of wedding payment platform Rock Paper Coin, explains that a wedding planner will be able to "guide you and share any hidden costs or unexpected reasons why one venue may be a better value than another." able amounts of time and stress

7. Start With a Good Foundation

"Select a venue with an aesthetic that you love," encourages Negri. A venue that is a total blank space is going to cost more to decorate than one whose existing architecture is filled with charm. Similarly, if there are features in a given venue that you dislike, you'll end up spending money to hide those elements when you could be investing in other parts of your wedding. "Wedding design, decor, and florals add up quickly, especially if you're using them to punch up a space you feel lackluster about," adds Negri. "You can ultimately save money by choosing a venue that you're excited about and is naturally beautiful."

8. Don't Assume DIY Is Less Expensive

Assuming that DIY is the best way to save money is a common pitfall that many couples fall into. While it is possible to save money DIYing, going to DIY isn't always cheaper. Whether you're imaging DIYing the entire venue and hosting something in the backyard or even just doing a partial DIY, like booking a BYOB venue, many times these options aren't the most affordable in the long run because you incur unexpected costs that you wouldn't face at a traditional venue.

Ashley Lachney, owner of PNW-based Alston Mayger Events, often encounters couples who believe that backyard weddings are always cheaper. She explains that clients think "celebrating in their parent's backyard will save them. It may save you a venue fee, but would you rather pay a $6,000 venue rental that includes tables and chairs (along with staff to set up/tear down,) or would you rather pay $10,000 plus portage fees to bring every single fork, napkin, and table in?" Sheils agrees and urges couples to consider all the piecemeal items they'll have to bring in (from bathrooms to parking attendants) with a DIY venue. "What you might take for granted from other venues can cost you thousands at a private property."

9. Cheaper Isn't Always Better

The adage "you get what you pay for" is worth bearing in mind when booking a wedding venue. "The cheapest option might lack essential amenities or services, which can lead to higher costs down the line. For example, you might need to rent portable restrooms, generators, or extra lighting. In some cases, a more expensive venue that includes these amenities can be more cost-effective," explains Shevchenko. Similarly, Cortiella notes that "an exceptionally low-priced venue might mean you're sacrificing quality or incurring hidden costs. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is."

10. Get Clarity on What Is Included

"It's challenging to compare wedding venues because their pricing structure can be so different," explains wedding planner Elizabeth Lutz, owner of Elizabeth Lutz Design & Events in New England. "The best way to determine the true cost of a venue is to compare apples to apples." Some wedding venues may simply be a blank slate with nothing included while others may provide everything from catering to rentals. To make an informed decision and allocate your budget wisely you need to understand exactly what is included in a quote before signing your wedding venue contract.

Lutz encourages couples to ask the following wedding venue questions: "What food and beverage is included? Are there minimums that must be met? How many hours are included? Are tables and chairs included? What tables and chairs? Think about if you would want to upgrade with a different style based on your own vision. Is a tent included, if needed? Are linens included? Is a ceremony included? (Often that is extra.) What is the rain plan?" In short, make sure you understand exactly what you are and aren't paying for before you sign on the dotted line.

11. Consider an All-Inclusive Venue

At first glance, an all-inclusive venue may seem more expensive since you'll be dedicating a large portion of your wedding budget to it. However, this may actually save you more money in the long run. "Sometimes, having everything under one roof isn't just convenient, it's cost-effective," explains Cortiella.

12. Get Clarity on the Required Vendor List

Some venues require couples to book specific pre-approved vendors. Angela Carter, owner and creative director of Carter Group Creative in Virginia, notes that such requirements may impact your budget. "If the venue requires use of certain vendors that may be outside of your budget, this could be a budget breaker later."

13. Be Flexible and Follow the Rules

Here's the thing, just because you want to save money on your wedding doesn't mean that a venue owes you a discount. Jacobsen reminds couples not to "think your venue will change their rules just for you."

What's more, a venue might allow couples to break certain rules, for a fee. For example, if a venue requires a certain caterer they might be willing to allow someone else, if you're willing to pay their fee for working with a different vendor. So if affordability is most important to you, make sure you are aligned will all of the venue's outlined rules.

14. Inquire About Deals

Some venues offer early booking incentives while others may even have last-minute deals if they have unbooked dates. The best way to find out if there are any deals to avail yourself of is to ask.

15. Plan for Fees and Service Charges

The base venue fee likely isn't the only price you'll end up paying to a wedding venue. Jacobsen warns couples to be aware of "hidden costs such as service fees, taxes, gratuities and overtime charges."

16. Get Married and Party in One Place

If you're saying "I do" in a house of worship, your hands are kind of tied, unless there's a reception space across the street. But if you can exchange vows anywhere, opt for a site that can pull double duty for your ceremony and reception. Shevchenko explains that "this can save on transportation and decoration costs."

17. Limit Event Scope

Most venues will have many package tiers to choose from with different options based on what's affordable to you. An intro tier might save you money if you're willing to book the space for fewer hours, for example. If you have your heart set on a certain venue, ask them what packages they have available to see if there is one that fits with how much you'd like to spend.

18. Ask How Much Couples Typically Spend Altogether

It's important to ask how much couples typically end up spending at a given venue. They may advertise an inexpensive starting price when, in reality, it's hard to host a wedding there without adding on many additional services. Erica Trombetti, CEO of Infinite Events in Rhode Island, explains that she has a "love-hate relationship with our venues' minimum spends because the majority of the time, they are just showing you the lowest cost. Still, once you get into your tasting, and you start adding on items like open bar, wine service, and desserts, you've now doubled the minimum spend and didn't have that planned in your budget. A well-versed wedding planner will work with you in the beginning stages to help identify these common mistakes and prepare your budget correctly from the beginning to account for all of these additional add-ons that add up!"

19. Consider Inclement Weather

If you're booking a wedding venue with a plan to host the event outdoors, do they have an indoor backup option? Or will you need to pay for a tent rental? Carter encourages couples to factor in contingency plans before booking a wedding venue. "If the venue has an outdoor element, what is the contingency plan for inclement weather?"

Please note: The Knot and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, financial or tax advice and should not be used as such. You should always consult with your financial and tax advisors about your specific circumstances. This information contained herein is not necessarily exhaustive, complete, accurate or up to date and we undertake no responsibility to update. In addition, we do not take responsibility for information contained in any external links, over which we have no control.