Rent, Buy, or Thrift? Sourcing Your Wedding Décor
Wedding décor is one aspect of your wedding that you may view as suitable for cost-cutting, and renting or recycing décor can often make sense.
It’s no secret that weddings can cost a lot of money. Global News cited a 2015 poll revealing that Canadian couples spend over $30,000 on average for each event. With costs an ever-present concern, you’ll likely seek out ways to save money. Like some engaged pairs, you may be eyeing wedding décor for your potential cost-cutting operations. How can you make good choices and style a lovely look for your event? Smart shopping and wise advice can help you reach your goals.
The Problem: Pricey Decorations
As Martha Stewart Weddings points out, reception food and venue costs can total more than 50% of your event’s budget. Flowers can add another 8% to those figures, making your nuptial afterparty expense more than the ceremony itself. For an affair with a $30,000 price tag, that works out to $17,400. With that much money on the line, it’s understandable if you’re considering how to pull off beautiful wedding décor on a budget. Your primary options include renting, buying cheap, or finding used items in good condition. Keep in mind that your choices should be based on convenience, feasibility, and how much you’ll spend in terms of both money and labor.
Savvy Purchases To Stretch Your Budget
When discussing eco-friendly weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings mentions thrift stores and flea markets as possible sources for secondhand items. Besides local vendors, you may also discover great finds on internet marketplaces such as Wedding Recycle or eBay. The Budget Savvy Bride lists several other websites that offer used wedding décor in their own stores or allow individuals to independently buy and sell items.
Meanwhile, Bridal Musings talks about online and brick-and-mortar wholesalers offering bulk items like candles and votive holders, potentially with significant discounts. Other places to check include niche retailers, nurseries, big-box home décor chains, and hardware stores. No matter where you browse, it’s important to keep a few tips in mind as you shop. Your organized approach should include making a shopping list and researching stores. For flea markets, be sure to arrive early and pack essentials such as water and contact cards. With online vendors, check customer feedback and verify whether they ship to Canada.
Rental Items To Consider
Brides writer Stephanie Cain points out that it’s a good idea to ask yourself whether you plan to later reuse products that you’ve bought for the big day. This is especially salient for wedding décor items that require a lot of prep time and storage room, such as linens or dishware. With this in mind, Cain lists several items that she recommends renting instead of purchasing on your own:
- Table linens, napkins, and runners
- Candleholders and vases
- China, silverware, glassware, and charger plates
- Furniture
Cain emphasizes that buying linens online may seem cheap when compared to renting, but their prices do not factor in the costs of laundering, pressing, and folding. She applies the same principle to candleholders, dishware, vases, and furniture, considering that you’ll probably end up putting these items in storage if you keep them after the wedding. Depending on which accessories you rent, your vendors can also help you save time by handling setup as well as cleanup at the end of the night.
Use Wise Wedding Décor Strategies To Control Costs
Devising and sticking with a smart spending strategy is just one challenge you’ll encounter in planning your wedding. Renting, buying, or sourcing secondhand items may relieve some of the budgetary strain. However, the outcomes depend on key choices you make. It’s vital to think of your costs in terms of time and effort, not just money. Once you’ve evaluated your goals as well as the pros and cons, you can develop a suitable plan for selecting décor that fits your wedding vision.
