Not all weddings have to cost an arm and a leg. For the thrifty couple, there are cheap wedding venues available that can save tons of money that can be better used elsewhere. Typically, the wedding venue is one of the biggest costs, so cutting down on that cost makes it much easier to meet your budget.
Off-season
A great way to find a cheap wedding venue is to get married in the off-season. The wedding season begins in the spring and summer months and lasts for most of the fall. Certainly there are far fewer weddings during the very cold winter months. This is actually the best time for your wedding, as most establishments cut rates significantly to get more bookings. Take advantage of the big discount, this could be a place that you might not otherwise be able to afford for the rest of the year.
Weekday
Another great tip for booking cheap wedding venues San Antonio is to have your wedding on a weekday. Everyone chooses a weekend wedding to suit their guests’ schedule. Weekend prices tend to be much higher than weekday prices. A weekday wedding means that far fewer people will be able to attend, as most are working Monday through Friday. If you are planning a more intimate wedding with just your closest friends and family, let them know in advance so they can organize everything.
Ceremony
Why not try a morning ceremony followed by brunch instead of the usual afternoon ceremony followed by an evening reception. An evening reception means that you will have to book an all night reception, which will cost a lot more than having a place for a few hours for a late breakfast. Not only will the place be cheaper, but so will the catering.
Guest list
If you’ve already created a guest list, keep in mind that not everyone you invite will be able to do so. When looking for seating, choose large enough so that if the majority of the guests respond, there is room. The worst thing you can do is overestimate the number of guests and then reserve a seat that is much more than you really need.
Payment
Inexpensive wedding venues can also be yours by simply paying the full amount up front. Most couples leave an advance when reserving a place and the rest will be paid later. Who doesn’t want to get paid in full? You can definitely try to negotiate some kind of discount for this. Just make sure you are 100% in tune with the venue and that there is a clause in the contract about refunds in case something goes wrong.
If you are having a wedding by appointment, you will most likely be able to negotiate a deal with the hotel or resort where the wedding will take place. If you can attract a certain number of people who will stay there for a certain period of time, they can generally reduce the cost of the venue, as well as some of the other items that come with the wedding package.