Finding a great wedding venue is tough – but finding a great wedding venue that isn’t going to empty your bank account is even tougher. Good venues tend to be expensive, and if you aren’t careful may have hidden costs that end up breaking your budget.

The good news is that it is possible to find the perfect wedding venue for the wedding of your dreams without having to cut corners to get there. Instead, what you need to do is make intentional decisions that help you to find great wedding venues at a lower-than-usual price.

Interested in knowing how to do that? Just follow these tips:

1. Cut Down Your Guest List

A smaller guest list requires less space, and smaller venues tend to cost less. Trimming your guest list will open up possible wedding venues in the shape of smaller locations and help you save money at the same time.

As an added bonus, it will also lower costs for catering and other rentals that you may require.

2. Go for Non-Traditional Venues

Traditional wedding venues such as halls or ballrooms in churches, hotels or country clubs are great – but often costly. On the other hand non-traditional venues such as restaurants, wineries, art galleries, barns, breweries and other spaces may offer cheaper rates while still making for a unique setting for a wedding.

Be sure to check that the venue is large enough and what additional items will need to be taken care of such as catering, décor, lighting, and so on. Also, make it a point to be transparent with the venue and let them know you’re renting the space for a wedding so you can discuss what arrangements need to be made.

3. Pick an Off-Peak Date, Day, and Time

Renting out wedding venues in the summer through to September and October will be more expensive, as will weekends (especially Saturdays) and evenings. However if you’re willing to be flexible and get married at other times, you may be able to get a better deal.

Try picking a date sometime in January or February which are often the least popular months for a wedding. Next ask any venues your eyeing what their rates would be for weekdays, or maybe even a morning or afternoon wedding.

4.Keep Things Simple

Despite how tempting it may be, avoid extravagance when it comes to décor and rentals – including things like linen, tableware, glassware, and anything else. Some venues may offer upgrades that are enticing, but can quickly add to your costs.

5. Look for All-Inclusive Deals

All-inclusive deals may seem pricey at first, but could help you save money in the long run due to everything that is included. Check what these deals have to offer and compare how much you’ll save if you choose them as opposed to having to rent from outside vendors.

It may help to use a wedding venue finder that provides details of these deals and is clear about what services and items are included.

6. Stay in One Venue

Instead of having your wedding in one venue, dinner in another, then an after-party in a complete different location – try to contain it to a single venue. Renting one venue for a longer duration will probably work out cheaper than renting two or three different venues, and you’ll also save on transportation costs, décor, and so on.

By staying in one venue you’ll also be spending more money in it – which will mean they could be willing to negotiate a better rate or throw in some useful extras.

Conclusion

By carefully making decisions with the help of the tips listed above, you should be able to bring down the costs of renting a great wedding venue. Not only will this help ensure that you don’t end up breaking your budget – but it may also leave you with some leftover cash that you can spend on other areas instead.

At the end of the day this will help you to find the perfect wedding venue within your budget and ensure that you don’t have to spend your days worrying over your finances and how much it’ll cost.