Planning a wedding can seem like a full-time job! And adding to the complexity of the task, you’re probably working hard to stick to a budget as well. If you’re looking for ways to have the Toronto wedding of your dreams, without blowing your entire savings account, keep reading. Here are some of our favorite money-saving tips:

1) Set the date in winter.

Isn’t part of the charm of living in Toronto our cold and snowy winters? Ok, if you’re like most of us, it doesn’t feel so charming by January or February. But, on the flip side, a “Winter Wonderland” Toronto wedding is just so beautiful. Venues are notoriously cheaper to rent during the so-called “off months.”

2) Don’t get married on a Saturday.

Along with having lower fees during the winter, most venues and vendors are more accommodating on pricing for events that are scheduled on days other than Saturdays. If you know your most important guests are flexible about joining you on other days of the week, why not get married on a weekday instead?

3) Use potted flowers instead of, or in addition to, fresh flowers.

Potted flowers are great for centerpieces and other reception decor. And what’s even better is the fact that you can prepare them days, or even weeks, in advance. If you or your fiancé’s mom loves gardening, you can turn the pre-wedding flower prep into an opportunity to include them in preparations for the big day. And if you love fresh flowers, you can always choose them for the bouquets to complement the potted plants.

4) Get creative with the food.

A sit-down dinner is not a requirement! You may find that a fun hors d’oeuvres menu fits your theme perfectly. A breakfast hour ceremony opens up a whole new world of menu options, including a hands-on waffle bar, brunch favorites, mimosas, and lots more.

5) Don’t feel obligated to have an open bar.

There are plenty of ways to include libations in your Toronto wedding without racking up an astronomical open bar tab. You could always offer an open bar during a cocktail hour after the ceremony and then switch to a cash bar at the reception. Another option would be to include a limited drink menu with just a white wine, a red wine, and two beer options. Alternatively, have a signature cocktail available for guests. By choosing a smaller variety of options, you can buy your alcohol in bulk and enlist traditional servers to handle the drinks instead of a trained bartender.

We welcome brides with every type of budget at Bella’s Brides. If you’d like to learn more about the collections we carry and arrange an appointment with one of our experienced bridal consultants, call or email us today. We look forward to welcoming you and helping you find your dream wedding dress.