Psst! Do you want to know a secret? Wedding traditions are not a mandatory part of getting married. If you’re on a tight budget, a lot of these expenses could be easily cut without your guests even noticing. In fact, we have 10 wedding traditions you can skip and not feel guilty about.

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Wedding Traditions You Can Skip

If you’re on a tight budget, there are wedding traditions that you should definitely consider skipping. Pick and choose what’s important to you, but only include the following if it’s important to you. 

1. Booking a Traditional Wedding Venue

Think outside the box when it comes to your wedding venue! Instead of a hotel or convention center, look at more off-the-beaten-path options. With micro weddings on the rise, many couples are getting married at parks, in the woods, or in a backyard.

2. Wearing a White Wedding Dress

It might be traditional for the bride to wear white. However, that doesn’t mean you have to. Wearing a different colored dress can save you hundreds. Going with a colored or patterned dress also opens up a whole new world of possibilities.

3. Scheduling a Dinnertime Wedding Reception

5:00 pm might be the traditional wedding time, but it doesn’t have to be yours. Getting married in the afternoon can save you hundreds if not thousands off your wedding. Save on catering by having a reception earlier in the day.

4. Having an Elaborate Wedding Cake

A simple cake is going to be far less money and will still wow your wedding guests. After all, they’ll care more about how it tastes than how it looks. Also consider alternatives, such as miniature pies, donuts, cupcakes, or an ice cream bar.

5. Using Champagne for Your Reception Toast

If you’ve never had champagne before, then just know it’s about $3 a glass. The cost greatly depends on the type purchased and if your venue is serving it. This can add up quickly and isn’t necessary. Plus, many guests only take a sip, so choose sparkling cider instead.

6. Requiring Matching Attire for Attendants

Running all over trying to find the perfect bridesmaid dresses can be stressful. The same goes for choosing suiting. Instead of trying to get them all to match, have your attendants wear different dresses or various colors. Variety adds interest as each person expresses their personality.

7. Giving Personalized Favors to Your Guests

Let’s be honest for a second. Most people will probably end up leaving those favors you slaved over behind. Therefore, feel free to skip the favors all together to save some money. Alternately, select something that doesn’t have to be personalized. Truthfully, guests don’t really want something emblazoned with your names and wedding date.

8. Decorating Your Tables Lavishly

Centerpieces can make a room really come together. However, they can also be expensive. This is especially true if you’re incorporating flowers and other high-dollar design elements. Instead, opt for something simple and even make your own to save money.

9. Relying on Flowers for Decor

The more flowers you have on your big day, the more it will cost. Instead, look for ways to forego flowers. As a result, trade them out for some tasteful thrifted decor instead.

10. Sending Paper Save the Dates

In today’s digital age, why are we still sending paper save the dates and invitations? Instead, send them by email or Facebook event. Then let your guests RSVP online or over the phone instead! Doing so will save you so much money. Additionally, you can skip the waiting period of trying to figure out who is and isn’t coming.

Save our wedding traditions you can skip!

Are you convinced that there are some wedding traditions you can skip? If a white dress is important to you, by all means, wear one. However, you can choose to forego other traditions as you see fit. Be creative on your big day and break from the norm as you see fit.

No matter how large or small your wedding is, these traditions don’t have to make it into your wedding plans if you don’t have the money for them! These can easily save you a ton of money and leave funds for the parts of your wedding that really matter to you.

Photos: Nyana Stoica, Stephanie Dee Photography, Filipp Romanovski, Oliver Li, Pablo Lancaster Jones