How to Have a Frugal Fall Wedding is a post originally published on: Everything Finance - Everything Finance - Its all about Money!

Summer may have the title of wedding season, however fall can be an ideal and advantageous time to get hitched.

There are so many reasons to love fall; it’s a festive time, the weather is perfect, and you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll also love the idea of avoiding the brutal heat, which will undoubtedly cause your makeup to run, hair to fall, and make taking pictures an event to endure rather than enjoy.

Furthermore, with the summer wedding rush coming to an end, you may find that in many ways, fall can be a more inexpensive season to plan a wedding.

So instead of trying to squeeze your ceremony in over the summer, along with a hundred other brides, consider having a fall affair and try these tips for planning a Frugal Fall Wedding.

Use Your Natural Surroundings

One of the best parts about fall is the beautiful foliage. The trees all change into brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange; if you live near lots of trees, your surroundings can begin to look like a rainbow.

That being said, fall is the prime time to save on a venue and opt for an outdoor wedding instead. Between the perfect temperatures and the vibrant scenery, the great outdoors provide the perfect backdrop for a ceremony. Consider holding your wedding in a friend or family member’s backyard or a public park.

Furthermore, you can save on decorations since you most likely won’t have to add much to your surroundings. Of course, it’s important to remember that weather is temperamental, which is why it’s a good idea to have a backup plan for your frugal fall wedding.

Think Outside the Box for Dessert

Wedding cake may be the obvious and expected choice for a wedding, but it’s one expense that is sure to cost you, especially depending on how many people you need to feed.

Moreover, traditional wedding desserts have come to take a backseat to options like donuts, macaroons, and cupcake towers.

If you’re throwing a frugal fall wedding, however, why not take advantage of the fact that it’s pie season? Pies not only perfectly accompany the cooler weather, but they’re definitely much cheaper than a four-tier wedding cake.

With an array of options for flavor, you’re bound have a slice that fits everyone’s preferences. If you really want to be frugal, consider enlisting the help of family and friends to assist you in baking all the pies yourself!

Use the End of Summer Weddings to Your Advantage

While there are still plenty of weddings to be had in the fall, summer is usually the sought-after season. That being said, if you’re planning a fall wedding, you may want to take advantage of that fact.

With so many weddings commencing in summer, sites like Craigslist and even vendors may be looking to sell used wedding tables, drink ware, and decorations. If you can find a bride who had similar wedding tastes as you, you could find great options for a lot less.

Furthermore, now’s the time to shop around when considering certain vendors; with the wedding rush over, you may find that you can receive much better deals from caterers, vendors, and musicians or DJs.

Want to save money on your wedding? Consider getting hitched in fall for these reasons
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Ask for More than Gifts

Gifts are a wonderful thing, however, if you’re trying to keep wedding costs to a minimum, you may want to rethink the traditional gift route.

For example, a wedding planner is a great asset to have, but it’s also a big expense. Unfortunately, a wedding is a lot of work to handle on your own. So instead of asking family and friends for specific gifts, why not suggest they assist you with wedding tasks, planning, and production?

Ask them to help you set up, tear down, and create decorations (if you’re going the DIY route). Most will probably be more than willing to offer help in lieu of tangible gifts. You’ll save them the hassle of finding a gift and save yourself money on a planner.

Get Creative with Décor

As I mentioned earlier, the wonderful thing about fall is the natural beauty all around you. Flowers are another major expense, and with summer coming to an end, certain flowers are going to cost you a fortune.

Opt to use the fall leaves and greenery, or even pine cones, in bouquets and centerpieces. Another great option is to use the vibrant leaves as an aisle runner instead of flower petals or fabric. By incorporating seasonal and natural elements into your décor, you’ll save a lot on flowers.

If you want to be even more frugal, consider reusing your bridal party’s bouquets as centerpieces or decorations; after the ceremony, your maid of honor could place them in vases around the cake, or split up the bouquets to be used as table centerpieces.

Consider Making Your Own Invitations

In our ever-growing digital age, making your own invitations doesn’t have to be as scary and overwhelming as it once was. With a quality printer and a little creativity and time, you can make beautiful invites on your own and save a lot.

If creativity isn’t exactly your forte, there are also millions of great templates online, or online print sources that can produce classy invitations for a lot less.

The important thing to remember is what your wedding is really supposed to be about: celebrating the love you and your future spouse have for one another.

Your wedding day may be something you remember for years to come, but it can still be an incredible and special day without putting you into debt.

The fall season makes for a beautiful wedding, and thanks to the end-of-summer rush and the vibrant foliage, it can also help you plan a frugal affair. Use some of these tips and you’ll have an inexpensive and beautiful ceremony.

What are some of your tips for planning a frugal fall wedding?