Don’t go broke over your wedding. Do this instead

Couples planning to tie the knot this year will shell out an average of $29,000 for the ceremony, according to wedding planning platform Zola.

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One of the most strategic ways to save on your wedding is to re-evaluate the venue itself, seeing as it accounts for the single biggest cost, in many cases.

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Non-traditional locations, such as botanical gardens or lakeside venues, will often host weddings even if they don’t specifically list and promote wedding services. In many cases, they may be more affordable than typical venues.

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Another way to save is to look for venues that provide equipment, such as chairs and tables. Bundling on costs may not only save time and labor, but money as well.

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Finally, consider booking your venue at the end of the wedding season. Like buying a winter coat in the summer, booking out-of-season — or during the week — is one great way to land a deal.

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