Get That Money Back: Ways To Make A Profit From Your Wedding Day

Did you know that in some cultures, brides actually expect to break even on their wedding day?

A wedding ceremony is one of the most expensive purchases a newly married couple can make. Still, it doesn’t have to permanently break the bank. There are ways to actually get back some of the money that you spend on your big day.

Since the average wedding cost is over $30,000 in 2016, breaking even might be wishful thinking. However, with some careful accounting and thinking ahead, you could have a lot more money for life after “I do.”

Image Source: Shutterstock

Become a Lifestyle Ambassador

You’re trying on dresses, visiting venues, and trying products for months (or even years) before your wedding. Why not photograph it all and put it on Instagram? Attract enough followers and companies will send you wedding-related products to advertise that you can save your own money on.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Give Away Your Wedding Dress

Donate it to a charity like Brides Against Breast Cancer and you can deduct the full market value of the dress on your taxes.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Give to Charity

Certain registries will donate 10 percent of your guests’ gift purchases to a charity of your choice. Your wedding can support a cause you love and make your wedding gifts tax deductible.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Have a Sponsored Wedding

Some vendors will pay you back some of the money you’ve spent if you allow them to put their logos on things like napkins or even the backs of the invitations for your wedding.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Support a Recycled Wedding

Sites like Ruffled and Tradesy allow you to sell the wedding supplies, favors, jewelry, shoes and even dresses you only used once to brides who are looking to cut costs.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Invest Your Wedding Cash

If you know a little bit about playing the market (or know someone who does), you can invest the money you get from your wedding guests for a nest egg that keeps growing right along with your relationship.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Throw a Wedding Fundraiser

Some brides and grooms even have competitions to see who can raise more from the wedding in fundraisers, crowdfunding accounts, and other ideas they plan well in advance.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Create a Wedding Blog

If photography isn’t your thing, wedding blogs can actually pay you money. And when they’re popular sites, wedding blogging can keep bringing income in long after your wedding is over.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Have a Dollar Dance

It’s a tradition where the men at the wedding “pay” to dance with the bride by pinning money to her dress or placing it in a basket. At big weddings, going back to this tradition — especially if you announce that you want it in place of gifts — is another way a lot of brides invite their guests to help get them started financially on their new lives, especially if you follow these rules.

Image Source: Shutterstock

A Money Tree

A money tree goes in the front hall of a wedding instead of a gift table. This traditional centerpiece is meant for guests to clip envelopes of money and well wishes. To prepare guests who aren’t familiar with the tradition, include a money tree poem in your invitation to let them know how it all works.