Attention Brides on a Budget: Essential Tips to Check Before Choosing Your Wedding Venue!

Choosing a wedding venue can be tough...!

Choosing a wedding venue is fun and exciting ♡ However, deciding on a wedding venue can be quite challenging. If you have a clear "I definitely want to have it here!" in mind, then it's easy, but there aren't many brides who have that clarity.

Additionally, when deciding on a wedding venue, you might be thinking, “I want to have my wedding while saving costs as much as possible.” If money were no object, there would be a lot of things you’d want to do, but the reality is that is not the case.

Considering the new life you are about to start, your honeymoon, future children, and even your retirement, it's not feasible to indulge in every luxury for the wedding...!

What are the checkpoints for choosing a wedding venue while being cost-conscious?

If you are a bride who wants to emphasize fun for the guests while making sure to save money, it's important to start thinking about saving well before selecting a wedding venue ◎

Today, I will introduce three checkpoints for brides who want to save money before choosing a wedding venue ♩

Checkpoint 1 for cost-conscious brides: The wedding date

If you want to save money, the first thing to consider is the wedding date. The best seasons for weddings are said to be from April to June and from September to November. Therefore, weddings in spring and autumn are generally more expensive than those in summer and winter. Keep this in mind ◎

Summer weddings can be hot, and winter weddings can be cold, which guests might not prefer. However, if the venue is close to the station or is one where guests won't have to go outside at all, that might not be a big issue.*

Should the wedding be on a weekday or weekend?

Next, the point to check is whether to choose a weekday or a weekend. Typically, regular wedding venues have lower prices on weekdays compared to weekends. So, if the couple has weekdays off or is having a family ceremony with a smaller number of guests, it's recommended to choose a weekday ◎ Some venues even offer significant discounts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays...

By the way, among weekends, Sundays tend to be more affordable.* However, many guests may have work the next day, so if the ceremony is late in the evening, they might not appreciate it...! Consider the guests' situation when making your selection ♡

Pay attention to the auspiciousness of the wedding date ◎

The final point to check is the Rokuyo, which refers to auspicious dates. This includes categories such as Senkatsu, Tomobiki, Senbu, Butsumetsu, Taian, and Shakuko ◎ Taian is the most favorable, while many people avoid Butsumetsu, which tends to be less expensive.

Even if the couple doesn’t pay much attention to auspicious dates, many older family members, relatives, and bosses do care about them. It’s recommended to consult with your family when deciding on a date.*

➡ For more details about Rokuyo, click here.*

There can be differences in venues depending on the time of day!

The time of the wedding can also affect the cost at various venues.* The most popular time for weddings is during the day. Early morning or late evening ceremonies may often cost less.

While early mornings can be challenging for both the couple and the guests, having a ceremony in the evening might mean you can enjoy a sparkling night wedding at a great price ◎ Be sure to consult about this ♩

[Summary] When is the cheapest date for a wedding?

Taking into account the three points above, the dates that tend to be more expensive are [Saturday afternoons during the peak seasons of April to June and September to November].

Conversely, the dates that tend to be less expensive are [Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday mornings or evenings during the off-seasons of July and August or December to March].

However, honestly speaking, having a wedding during the Butsumetsu on a Wednesday in January might be a concern, no matter how cheap it is. Start by identifying both the cheap and expensive factors before deciding on your wedding date ◎

Checkpoint 2 for cost-conscious brides: Is outside catering allowed?

The next thing to check before selecting a wedding venue is whether outside catering is permitted.* Often, bringing in items from outside can be more economical than ordering from the venue itself, making it a great way to save money ◎ Additionally, DIY options can significantly cut costs.

However, many venues charge a “corkage fee” for bringing in outside items. This includes things like dresses, tuxedos, favors, bouquets, photographers, videos, paper items, gifts, flowers, table decorations, and more.

Even if the items you bring in are inexpensive, it won’t make much sense if you end up paying a fee to the venue. While you might not know whether you'll bring in outside items when deciding on the venue, it’s reassuring to check the corkage fees in advance ◎

Checkpoint 3 for cost-conscious brides: The timing for choosing the wedding venue

The final checkpoint I want to share regarding selecting a wedding venue is the timing of when to start looking. Many brides have preferences for the "timing of the wedding" but may not pay much attention to "when to start searching for venues."

The closer you get to the wedding date, the more affordable venues might be available.* For instance, the same date could be available at regular prices one year in advance, but as you get closer—six months or four months—there may be more beneficial plans available.

If you are okay with a shorter preparation period and don’t have a specific date in mind, it might be good to start looking around six months to four months before your desired wedding season.*

The time before you decide on a venue is crucial! Let’s have an affordable wedding!

I introduced three key points to check before deciding on a wedding venue. There is a significant difference between knowing them and not knowing them when selecting a venue. If you're planning a wedding, it's essential to have this information.*

A once-in-a-lifetime dream wedding is important, but remember that the wedding is not the final destination but the starting point of your life together ♡ Consider your future as a couple well, then decide how much money you can and cannot spend on the wedding, so you can have the most wonderful ceremony possible ♩

➡ For articles about saving costs, click here.*

➡ For articles about money, click here.*