All the Things I wish Someone Told Me about Weddings

**Please note that things change, and this might only be applicable at the time of posting.

Weddings are expensive. And since no one discloses how expensive til you get there, here's a reality check:

• Save the Dates: 
• Reality: For 100 cards and envelopes, this will typically cost you over $150. At Wedding Paper Diva's, they have some they say are $.79, but for 100 it's $104. Check it out here. 
• Cheat: Find some you really like on whatever website, customize it, the take a screen shot. Upload the picture to VistaPrint on their Upload Your Own Design option. For 100 Save the Dates + envelopes, we paid less than $40.
• Alternative: Find something you like on Vista Print.

• Invitations:
• Reality: For invitations, if your guests don't all have access to the internet (yes, we have guests without internet), you need to send: the invitation, a response card, and a reception card. Most places on the internet, you pay for each separately. If you choose to do it in a store, it's even more expensive. 
• Cheat: We used Invitations by Dawn and got a 3-for-1 package. It's $173 total for 108 invitations with the invitation, response card, reception card, inner envelope, and outer envelope. We also went on and bought an address stamp from Etsy for $30 to save now and later.

• Wedding Cake:
• Reality: When we looked at wedding cakes, it was about $4.50 a slice per person. Multiply that by 150 people, and you have a $675 plain cake. If you want any special flavors, you have to pay more. Unreal.
• Cheat: Get a small cake, and get cupcakes. Or forget the cake all together and do cupcakes or cookies or whatever your favorite dessert is. Cupcakes are about $2.25 each, so if you got all cupcakes, your costs are cut in half. We went with the small cake and cupcakes, so we'll have a variety of flavors and the classic look. 

• Venue Date:
• Reality: Getting married on a Saturday is thousands of dollars more expensive than get married on a Friday. Believe it or not, there's such a thing as wedding peak season and off season; and prices go accordingly. See chart below:

              Low Season                        Mid Season                                High Season            

                     Feb, Dec                         Mar, July, Aug, Nov                Apr, May, June, Sept, Oct

     Friday $1,900                    Friday $2,900                             Friday $3,500

    Saturday $4,500               Saturday $5,500                         Saturday $6,900

     Sunday $2500                    Sunday $3,900                           Sunday $5,500

• Cheat: Get married off season, on an off day like a Friday. 

• Transportation:
• Reality:  Limos and buses for friends and family is expensive. 
• Cheat: Give out Uber passes... yes, Uber has wedding discounts for first time riders. Have friends ride together so they can use multiple coupons!