Picking a wedding venue and figuring out food and catering can be one the most fun and most stressful parts of wedding planning. It doesn’t have to be, though. There are so many ways to have a beautiful setting and yummy food without breaking the bank. Here are some key things to remember about getting the best deals and avoiding some mid-wedding planning meltdowns.
Frugal Wedding Planning | Saving on Wedding Venues & Catering
Saving Money on Wedding Venues
Know Your Budget
In order to avoid venue anxiety, you need to have a set budget. Within your wedding budget, set aside a certain amount that you or your family is comfortable with for the ceremony and reception. Figuring this out first will make choosing easier. Keep in mind: Small Venue + Small Guest Count = Lower Cost Overall.
Pick Your Venue Early
As soon as you and your fiance have settled on a date, start venue shopping! Picking your venue early lets you be the master of your wedding date and not letting the venue tell you when your wedding will be. Picking your venue early also lets you decide what day of the week you want it. Saturday venue rentals will be the priciest of all the days, so if you are looking to save the most money, opt for a different day of the week. Spring and summer weddings are also going to be more expensive from a venue point of view. If you are okay with having your wedding in the fall or winter, you will end up spending less.
Stay Organized
Venue shopping can be stressful, but staying organized is crucial to staying within budget and picking the best venue for your wedding. Decide on what city you are having the wedding and reception and begin your search. One way to stay organized during your search is to create a list. You can hand write it, create an excel spreadsheet, or laminate it and put in a color coded binder. Organize in whatever way works best for you.
Do Your Research
Here is a list of the deals from the new Winn-Dixie weekly ad that will run through 5/2. Get Blue Bunny ice cream for $3.19, Tillamook cheese for $2.50, and more.
Weekend Sale – Friday to Sunday
- Red Delicious or Gala Apples, 3 lb, $5.99 B1G1
(makes it $2.99 ea.) - Bone-In Whole Pork Shoulder Boston Butt Roast, $1.29 lb, limit 4
- T-Bone or Bone-In Ribeye Steak, value pack, $6.99 lb, limit 2
- Hickory Sweet Bacon, 3 lb, $10.99
- Fresh Salmon Fillets, $8.99 lb
- Tombstone Pizza, 19.3-21.1 oz, $4.49
- Banquet Pot Pies, 7 oz, $1
- Green Giant Box Vegetables, 7-10 oz, $1
- Mayfield Sundae Delights, 6 oz, $1
- El Monterey Single Serve, 4.5 oz, $1
- Bush’s Best Baked or Grillin’ Beans, 21.5-28 oz, $2.29, limit 6
Promos
- Save $10 instantly WYB $30 in participating P&G cleaning products
Buy One Get Ones
- Southern Blueberries, 6 oz, at $4.99 ($2.49)
- Idaho Potatoes, 5 lb bag, at $5.99 ($2.99)
- Vidalia Onions, 3 lb, at $5.99 ($2.99)
- Dole Salad Kit or Blends, 5-13.6 oz, at $4.99 ($2.49)
- SE Grocers Grape Tomatoes or Organic Grape Tomatoes, 12 oz, at $4.49 ($2.24)
- Mini Cucumbers, 1 lb, at $4.49 ($2.24)
- Fresh Mixed Melon Chunks, (price not listed)
- Bone-In or Boneless Pork Shoulder Blade Steaks or Country Style Ribs, at $5.99 ($2.99) lb
- Eckrich Smoked Sausage, 10-14 oz, (price not listed)
-$1 off Eckrich Smoked Sausage, Winn Dixie (EXP 4/30) eCoupon (limit reached) - Smithfield Prime Lunchmeat, 7-8 oz, (price not listed)
- Margherita Cracker Cut Pepperoni or Hard Salami, 16 oz, at $9.99 ($4.99)
- Hormel Always Tender Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin, 18.4-24 oz, at $9.99 ($4.99)
- Hickory Sweet Diced or Cubed Ham, 8 oz, at $6.49 ($3.24)
- Fresh Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs, at $3.49 ($1.74) lb
- Fisherman’s Wharf Raw Shrimp, 16-20 ct. or 41-50 ct, 16 oz, at $19.99 ($9.99)
- Jimmy Dean Bacon or Hormel Black Label Bacon, 16 oz, at $10.99 ($5.49)
- Tillamook Ice Cream, 48 oz, at $7.49 ($3.74)
- Blue Bunny Ice Cream Novelties, 4 ct., at $7.49 ($3.74)
-.55/1 Blue Bunny ice cream and novelties (sign up) printable
(makes it $3.19) Read More→
Head to Reebok to shop their Gone in a Flash Sale. Get 35% off full-priced styles, plus an extra 60% off sale styles.
Use code STEALZ at checkout to get this offer. Shipping is free for Reebok Unlocked members so join for free now!
Deal Ideas:
Reebok LX2200 Women/Men Sneakers – $84.97 (reg. $90)
-Use code STEALZ
makes it $34 shipped!
Reebok Lite 3 Women’s Running Shoes – $49.97 (reg. $60)
-Use code STEALZ
makes it $19.99 shipped!
Reebok Classic Slides – $32.97 (reg. $38)
-Use code STEALZ
makes it $13.19 shipped!
This offer is good through 4/30. Shipping is free for Reebok Unlocked Members (free to join).
See more ONLINE SHOPPING DEALS!
Right now you can get 80% off Cook’s Illustrated Magazine! Get a 1 year subscription for only $10.50, (reg. $41 a year)!
This is by far my favorite magazine with no ads and tons of great tips and recipes! Plus you’ll love their detailed reviews on kitchen gear and ingredients (do you know what the best rated butter is?).
Get the $10.50 price for any new subscription, gift subscriptions or even renewals. Use code SOUTHERNSAVE at checkout to see the discount.
DiscountMags does not auto renew, so you won’t be charged more after your subscription ends.
This offer ends Thursday, 4/27, at midnight.
See more online shopping deals!
Here is a very fun deal!
SeaWorld is offering FREE admission for veterans plus (3) guests!
To claim the offer you’ll need to verify your status with ID.me. For veterans, verify your status using ID.me and use your tickets by 7/9.
Get free tickets to all SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Discovery cove locations. Just head over and pick the park you want to visit!
Share this with any veterans you know!
See more freebies!
Here is a list of the deals from the new Harris Teeter weekly ad that will start on 4/26. Get canned veggies for 62¢, Tide detergent for $4.49, and more.
Kraft Heinz Deal
- Save $10 instantly when you spend $25 on select Kraft or Heinz Brand Products, (limit one deal per transaction)
- A.1. Steak Sauce, 10 oz, $4.99
- Classico Pasta Sauce, 15-24 oz, $3
- Capri Sun Pouches, 10 pack, $3
- Boca Veggie Burgers, 10 oz, B1G1 (save up to $5.29)
(makes it $2.64 ea.) - Jell-O Gelatin or Pudding, 4 ct, $2.50
- Just Crack an Egg Scrambles, 4.6 oz, $2
- Kraft Singles, 16 oz, $3.99
- Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 2 pack, $5.49
- Heinz Ketchup or Yellow Mustard, 20 oz, $2.50
- Jet-Puffed Marshmallows, 12 oz, $1.50
- Kraft BBQ Sauce, 18 oz, $2
- Kraft or Velveeta Macaroni & Cheese, $3
-$1.50/2 Velveeta Shells & Cheese, or Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, single boxes, excl bundle packs, SS 03/05 (EXP 4/30)
-$3/3 Velveeta Shells & Cheese, or Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, single boxes, excl bundle packs, SS 03/05 (EXP 4/30)
(use $3/3, makes it $2 ea.) - Taco Bell Dinner Kits, 12.77-13.86 oz, $3
- Taco Bell Sauces, 7.5-12 oz, B1G1 (save up to $2.49)
(makes it $1.24 ea.) Read More→
Woot is currently offering this 4-Piece TACKspace Rattan Patio Furniture Set for just 179.99 (reg. $400).
This set comes with 2 Chairs, 1 Bench, Turquoise Cushions and a Coffee Table. The lightweight rattan material makes it easy to move to your favorite outdoor spot!
This offer is good while supplies last. Shipping is free when you log into your Amazon Prime account. Otherwise pay $6.
See more ONLINE SHOPPING DEALS!
Calling all Hey Dude fans!! Get three (3) pairs of shoes for only $73.40 shipped! Yes, that’s right – I said (3) pairs!!
Deal Idea:
Buy:
(3) Hey Dude Wendy Shoes – $34.95 each (reg. $59.95 each)
Total Due: $104.85
—extra 30% off with code AFFBMSM
makes it $73.40 shipped!
Head to your store starting 4/26 to find these deals from the new Kroger weekly ad. Get General Mills cereal for 99¢ and more.
Mega Event Frozen
- Save $2 off each item WYB (3) participating products, Prices listed are after instant savings.
-
Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream or Bars, 14 oz or 3 ct., $2.99
-$1 off Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream cartons 14 oz+, or bars 3-ct+, limit 5, at Harris Teeter, Kroger, Ibotta mobile app
(makes it $1.99) - Edy’s Ice Cream, 48 oz, $2.99
-$1.50 off Edy’s ice cream, 48 oz, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
(makes it $1.49) - Kroger Family Size Appetizers, 15-33 oz, $6.99
- Outshine Fruit Bars, 12 ct., $2.99
- Quorn Frozen Meatless Entree, 8.5-12 oz, $2.99
- Cooked Perfect Meatballs, 18-28 oz, $5.99
-$1.50/2 Cooked Perfect Meatballs, 28 oz bag, Ibotta mobile app
(makes it $5.24 ea.) - Farm Rich Appetizers or Meatballs, 16-28 oz, $4.99
-$1 off Farm Rich Product, 16 oz +, (sign up) printable
(makes it $3.99) Read More→
