We have a heap of helpful tips to help you save money on your wedding. Being thrifty or having DIY weddings can be fun and less costly that a traditional wedding.
Save money on your wedding
Setting a budget is key to saving money on your wedding.
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- Cutting Costs for Your Wedding
- Creating a Budget: The Key to Wedding Savings
- Identify All Wedding Expenses and Save Money
- Establishing Spending Limits for Your Wedding
- Preparing for Unanticipated Wedding Expenses
Feel free to suggest any additional expenses for our list. We’re here to assist and simplify the process of wedding planning.
Do you need more help? Check out our other pages dedicated to wedding planning.
Vladislav Makarenko
Highly recommend this service! James was awesome, approached people asking for song requests and overall very friendly!
Simon Huynh
James from OnlyDJs was amazing to work with as a DJ and MC! He handled everything smoothly, from managing my crazy ethnic family (despite the language barriers) and keeping the party going. James read the room perfectly, played great music, organized fun games, and even offered some heartfelt advice. He kept everything on schedule and really boosted the vibe, especially hyping my dad during his speech. I highly recommend James and Only DJ's for any wedding or event - they're fantastic!
monique briard
We recently had James as our wedding MC and Dj and he was amazing. He responded extremely quickly to emails and nothing was too hard for him. He was able to understand the vibe we wanted and was able to read the crowd. We had the best night dancing the night away with our friends and family. I highly recommend booking James at your next event you will not be disappointed.
Hannah Capsalis
Highly highly highly recommend James. From the very moment I enquired with him he went above and beyond. Replying always within a few hours the communication being so consistent led to me being a less stressed bride. Throughout our wedding reception as our DJ and MC he read the crowd perfectly ensuring everyone was enjoying the night, he regularly checked in with me the bride to make sure I was happy with everything too. The biggest stand out was how well he read the room and his expertise allowed us to have the reception of our dreams. So many guests complimented the layout of our reception which was guided by James.Also a special shoutout to the amazing setup he did as well, the equipment looked so gorgeous in the stunning room at Vogue Ballroom.
Zey Akgul
When I first contacted Only DJ’s, I expected a response to my query the next day at the earliest. Especially considering the hour I sent it in. Instead, I got a response in minutes.Thinking the speed of responses would be a novelty since I was a new client, my surprise at ongoing extremely quick turnaround was immense!James had been incredibly helpful, very quick in acknowledgment and diligent with his follow ups. The DJ of our night, Steven, was a godsend; he had such high energy and positive, easy going vibes, that it set the tone for the music, the dance floor and eventually our night.Both me and my partner had been extremely happy with our selection, and grateful that we came across these guys.I can, with ease of heart, highly recommend them.✨
Samantha Weir
We used James for a family fun day and he was brilliant! The service was fantastic, and the music was perfect for what we needed. No request was too difficult. Would definitely use again, and recommend to others.
Cherie Appleyard
Alexei Mitnovetski
Just did a wedding with James. He was helpful and very responsive during the whole preparations stage. When we wanted to change plans last minute or during the event itself, he was very flexible and made sure we were looked after. Great experience. Thank you James for making my night so memorable!
Ally Wilwood
James - you went absolutely above and beyond for us at our wedding, and catered to our every individual need. Thank you so much for the incredible job you did at not only being a very fun and charismatic MC, but also for providing us with great tunes all night and for incorporating all our Arabic music. We absolutely cannot thank you enough! 🥰❤️
Huang Hao
I would like to sincerely thank James for the services of the night. The DJ&MC service was an important part of the perfect reception and I heard positive feedback from my guests. Again, thanks James for bring such a great vibe to my wedding!
Bella C
On the 16/12/23 james was the DJ and MC for mine and my now husbands wedding! He went above and beyond in the planning process, had hundreds of songs to choose from and provided a plan that he finalised with us before the big day. the whole wedding reception he kept it running smoothly and communicated to us if we needed to do or change anything ! He was incredible and worth every dollar- it just shows you really do get what you pay for ! James thank you for making our wedding special and a night we will never forget!
Polico Construction
Best wedding I’ve been to was DJ’d by james
Vincent Chau
James was the epitome of professionalism and warmth. He worked well with our emcee to make our wedding night amazing. The dancefloor was packed, the Nutbush was banging, and the energy was fantastic. In the lead up to the wedding our emails were always responded to quickly and communication was great. Would recommend his services in a heartbeat. Thanks James
Alex Minoale
Very professional and amazing attitude. Great music mixes and sound quality. Read the room perfectly and played the most appropriate music. Love your work James!
Ellen Vacouftsis
Great experience with James, he was easy to deal with and very attentive to what we needed for our event. Would highly recommend his services to anyone considering.
Eug Ski
Best wedding DJ in Melbourne! Highly recommend the team at Only DJ's Melbourne, they rocked our night!
Cariss Teh
M Kouts
James was the MC and DJ for our wedding at Dromana Estate in May 2024. We couldn't recommend James more!! We had a modern Greek-Australian wedding and James ticked all the boxes! As an MC, James was funny, engaging and kept the vibe light hearted throughout the evening. As a DJ James took the time to speak with us leading up to our wedding and played all our favourite songs plus got all our guests involved with some traditional Greek dancing and plate smashing! It was the most perfect evening and my husband and I couldn't recommend Only DJ's more. Every interaction we had with James was easy, keeping our minds at ease the whole time! Thank you!!
Jeremy Iredale
James DJ'd and MC'd at our wedding last night. His communication with us from the very beginning was absolutely impeccable.As an MC, he did a 5 star job, perfectly coordinating our night!As a DJ, we gave him the tough challenge of "read the crowd" and he definitely kept the party going all night long!Thank you so much James! It was a pleasure to have you at our wedding!
Sandy C
James was an amazing DJ and MC at our wedding!He really went above and beyond to ensure the night went well for us.Everything was planned extremely well and he gave some great recommendations to us to make the night even better.We highly recommend him to anyone who is looking for a DJ/MC at their wedding 🙂
Paula B.
Recently had James DJ at our wedding, couldn't have asked for a smoother experience!! Great communication and flexible with our requests on the day. Thank you James for your professionalism!
Berlin Hiu
James was SO amazing and made my wedding day so special! working with him was so easy, he is so helpful, responsive, and definitely knows what he’s doing! thank you so much again, my night could not have been as amazing as it was without you! 🤍
Natalie T
A massive thankyou to James for being the most organised, approachable DJ/MC there is. Anything we needed leading up to our big day, James was there and had our back. His DJ/MC skills are a absolute 10/10!!! We would highly recommend having James as your DJ/MC, he definitely will not let you down!
Ellis Kolias
James is truly a gentleman and an expert at what he does.We were lucky enough to have him as both our DJ and MC on the night of our wedding and I can not recommend him enough. He was funny, entertaining and got a room with a mixed demographic to dance to multiple styles of music. It was no easy task but the dance floor was full the entire night.His dedication to his craft, his attention to detail and his transparency are nothing short of incredible.From day 1, he was incredibly easy to communicate with and was always willing to offer some advice to my wife and I.He made our big night one to remember. He made us feel comfortable and was in control of everything that was stressing us out.I will recommend him to all my family and friends and will entrust his impeccable work again for any future events.James - you're a superstar and a Levendi! 🇬🇷I will remember you for the rest of my life. 10/10.
Kerri Parker
James DJ’d for a large school event with over 230 students and I thought at the time he was fantastic. His music choices and openness to requests was excellent. It was the following school day when the students commented how good the music was that I knew I needed to lock James in for future events. I would recommend him if you are looking to entertain a crowd of any size.
Natalie O'Keeffe
What an amazingggg experience we had with James!So friendly , organised and attentive!From the very first conversation with him, I knew he was the perfect DJ & MC for our special day! He also provides a very affordable Ipad photobooth that our guests loved using and sent us all the digital pics and gifs which we absolutely loved going through.He ensured our night ran as planned & he quickly adjusted to any last minute changes made and also made me feel that nothing was too much trouble!He had the dance floor going all night, he got all of our guests involved and he was so awesome with the kids!James, it was an honour to have you and to work with you and we appreciate you so much.You wont regret using Only Djs Melbourne!!Thank you so much James! Sending all our love to you and your beautiful little family xox
Shinay Dehommel
James was the best DJ, he is very professional and easy to deal with, nothing was to much trouble. If we ever have another event or someone is looking for a DJ he will be the guy to go to. Thanks legend for a awesome night!!
Amy Ong
James was our wedding MC & DJ. He was very helpful and responsive to our emails/texts. Everything was executed perfectly despite some very last minute changes. Thank you for a fun & memorable wedding!
Theo Dimitriu
James was our DJ and MC for our wedding and we could not be happier. The entire reception ran smoothly and the dance floor was always full of people enjoying themselves. Highly recommended and will absolutely reach out to him again if a DJ and MC is needed.In the lead up to the wedding, James was fantastic. He responded quickly to all our questions, gave us suggestions on how to make things run smoothly and really understood what we wanted and made it happen.During the reception, he guided us through the different formalities which was so appreciated (we were so nervous) and throughout the night he was able to read the room and make small adjustments to keep a nice flow of events. We really appreciated the small things he did, for example before speeches he made sure the tables looked clean, glasses were topped up for toasts, he made sure bridal party were ready and he made nervous speakers feel comfortable and supported to make speeches.We cannot recommend James highly enough. If you are looking for a DJ and MC who will make your event an unforgettable night, look no further.
Karlee Paterson
James was absolutely fantastic! From the initial contact all the way through to the event, James was extremely wonderful to communicate with. James gave us the very vibe we were looking for on our wedding night and really helped make it as magical as it was. Would recommend James to anyone! Thank you so much for making it such a perfect evening!
Nikita S
Good Dj service. Ticked all the boxes. Our night was magical with the music/ effects and photobooth. Thank you James. Highly recommend.
Robin Fowden
10/10. James is a top professional, who you can rely on. I highly recommend you book Only DJ’s, they will go and above and beyond to ensure everyone at your event has a truly memorable time. They have been an absolute pleasure to work with.
George Gramnea
Great service provider and very professional
Ash Aakshi
We hired DJ James to play music and provide a photobooth for our Year 10 Formal and it was the best decision ever. Our students and staff had the best time and did not leave the dance floor all night. The photobooth was also perfect and provided us with printed photos as well as GIFs that we could send to ourselves. It was absolutely perfect and we would book the services of Only DJs again in a heartbeat!
Justin Durrant
James was amazing, he knows his stuff, our wedding ceremony run smoothly and the reception so much more run. Great organisation and professionalism.
Ellie Osianlis
Huge thank you to James Ellis for being an incredible MC and DJ for our wedding. James was very accomodating- checking in with us throughout the night to ensure we were happy with the music/vibe, and making sure everyone was having a good time. Very professional throughout the whole process and was very easy to communicate with.
Beck Louise
James is amazing. He is professional and organised. He is a hard working, kind and genuine individual, who you would be lucky to have at your wedding. We hired him for SFX, photobooth, dj, and MC. Having him provide so many services allowed the booking and planning to be so easy which is also a main reason why we decided to go with Only DJs. I highly recommend James to anyone, and if we require a dj again will would go with him.
daniel hastings
Having James help DJ and MC our wedding was an awesome experience. He really helped warm up the crowd and get them involved with all the activities we had organised. He is very organised making the entire process a breeze organising. Was an immense pleasure having him part of our special day.
Shabnum Cassim
We had James DJ at our daughter's 5th birthday disco party over the weekend. He was a pleasure to deal with over emails and provided song lists and suggestions for games. He was very receptive to us providing our own music list too.During the party, he gave our music obsessed daughter an impromptu lesson on DJ-ing before the official event started, he was responsive and warm with all our guests and happy to pivot on additional games and timing as the party progressed throughout the afternoon.Highly recommended - thanks James!
Georgette Maria
My husband and I booked James for our son’s baptism celebration at the start of November, and we couldn’t be happier with our choice of DJ. He was excellent and met our every need, checking in with us as the night went on to make sure we were happy. Having a young baby can make it difficult to stick to a run sheet, but James was certain that he was flexible and smoothly worked with the flow of the night and the energy on the dance floor. He played a fantastic mix of music, including our request of specific Greek songs, and worked well with the Lebanese drummers to meet our varying mix of music on the night. James, thank you so so much, we couldn’t be more grateful and are super stoked we chose you for our event. You also received amazing feedback from many guests saying how kind, friendly and enthusiastic. We will definitely be using Only DJs for our future events 🙂
zozo georgiou
Can't thank you enough for your professionalism and for making my wedding day amazing x
Samantha Spiteri
We had the absolute pleasure of having DJ James at our event this past weekend, and it was nothing short of phenomenal! From start to finish, the energy was electric, and James truly set the perfect vibe for the night.
Craig Merlo
On Saturday night we had a joint 50th birthday, Only DJ'S Melbourne was amazing. Steve the DJ set everything up which included lights, which looked fantastic. We had ages from 17 to 78 years old's at the party, everyone got up and danced throughout the night. Thanks to James for the great, quick communication, which took the stress off us for the night, all your work was appreciated. We look forward to our next event, we will be using Only DJ's Melbourne!
Elijah Ben
Can't recommend Only DJ's high enough! James was super friendly and just an excellent DJ who knew exactly what to do
Angelique Gabriel
James was super professional and responsive from my initial enquiry to the wedding day and everything in between. Would highly recommend for any event.
Mr T
James was the perfect choice for our wedding music. He responded quickly to our questions and requests, and paid attention to every detail. He made us feel relaxed and confident, even when we were stressed out by the wedding planning. He was not only a great DJ, but also a supportive wingman, a lively hypeman, and a skilled coordinator. He was a true professional and a joy to work with. We highly recommend him!
Mel Grose
We recently had DJ James and saxophonist Imre at our wedding. The whole night was so smooth thanks to James’ attention to detail. He went above and beyond, nothing was too much. He adapted so well when our timeline was running a little behind on the night and was full of great advice on the day. He was a calming presence and we honestly felt like he was a huge contributor in the success of our night! Also, his music was AWESOME and the dance floor was a huge hit all night. Highly recommend his saxophonist Imre aswell, who was also excellent. I would highly, highly recommend Only DJ’s
James Tipping
James recent did our wedding on the 26/4/24 and was amazing from start to finish. From the communication, organisation, DJ and MC skills we couldn't be more impressed. He reads the room and plays exactly what gets the guests up and dancing. He kept us updated with the flow of the night and ee would highly recommend him in an instant. Thankyou James for making our night unforgettable not just for us but everyone who attended.
Liz Meletiou
Great night! It was a lot of fun! Thank you!
The Date
Consider hosting your wedding on a Thursday, Friday, or Sunday, as Saturdays tend to be the most sought-after and busiest day of the week for weddings. Due to the limited availability of vendors, prices tend to be higher on Saturdays.
By opting for an alternative day, you can enjoy a cost savings of 10-20% compared to traditional pricing. At Only DJs Melbourne, our rates are notably more affordable on these particular days.
#Supportlocal
Use Local Suppliers
Whenever possible, consider supporting local vendors for your wedding. On average, a wedding can involve up to 14 different vendors, as reported by Wedding wire.
Opting for local businesses not only fosters community support but also helps you avoid additional expenses like a $100-200 drive-out fee, making it an effective and effortless way to save money.
Location Matters
Try Finding a Venue with All the amenities you require
Consider hosting both your ceremony and reception at the same venue. Not only does this simplify the experience for your guests, allowing them to mingle seamlessly after the ceremony, but it also eliminates the need for extended travel between locations.
By consolidating your events in one place, you can save a significant amount of money, typically ranging between $300 to $700. This cost-saving benefit arises from the avoidance of transportation expenses for more than 2-3 hours, making it a practical and budget-friendly choice.
Reception Style
Host a Cocktail Style Wedding
Traditional three-course sit-down dinners are still popular but are becoming less common, with canapés and cocktail-style weddings gaining popularity.
This shift can result in substantial per-head cost savings.
Typically, wedding receptions can cost between $200 to $250 per guest. However, by opting for alternatives like hiring a trendy food truck, you might cap your expenses at a maximum of $70 per head.
Additionally, consider hiring a catering van with RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) staff, paying only for their services while supplying your own drinks.
Look for specials or bulk purchase discounts to save an additional 10-15% on alcohol costs.
When it comes to beverages, simplicity is key. Offering one red wine, one white wine, a single spirit, and basic soft drinks can help you streamline your options and manage costs effectively.
Remember, you can’t please everyone like a jar of Nutella, so keeping it straightforward can lead to significant savings.
Have A Surprise Wedding
Surprise Wedding
Consider the idea of a surprise wedding; it’s a delightful and unique way to kick off your married life. An added benefit is that you won’t feel obligated to invite distant relatives like third cousins twice removed.
For further details on this exciting and budget-friendly option, click HERE.
Have A Winter Wonderland Wedding
Winter Weddings are More Affordable
Choosing to get married during the off-season is a fantastic strategy for saving money on your wedding. During this time, venues and vendors often provide more favorable rates and discounts, making it a budget-friendly choice.
n Victoria, the most sought-after wedding dates typically fall within the months of September, October, November, February, March, and April. These months align with the warm Australian climate, providing ideal temperatures for Australian brides to enjoy their special day.
D.I.Y IT
DIY it!
Consider going the DIY route for your wedding! The level of DIY involvement is entirely up to you, and it’s a fantastic way to create a memorable wedding experience with your close friends and family.
In 2016, we had the pleasure of performing at Sam and Jodi’s wedding. They chose a charming small farmhouse overlooking the bay in Melbourne’s South East. Sam, a chef, crafted an impressive grazing table, while a colleague handled catering. Jodi organized a celebrant, photographer, and us as the DJ. The evening was a resounding success.
For cost-effective wedding planning, explore second-hand items available on platforms like Wedding Goods Buy Swap Sell Melbourne or DIY/Budget Weddings Australia. This not only helps you save money but also gives new life to pre-owned items, adding a unique touch to your celebration.
Invitations
Use an E-invite service
Consider utilizing an E-invite service for your wedding invitations. Not only is this an environmentally friendly choice, but it also offers substantial savings on postage and printing costs.
Sending save-the-dates, invites, and RSVPs through traditional postal mail can exceed $400 for just 100 guests. E-invitations, on the other hand, come at a significantly lower cost and provide the added benefit of easily tracking responses.
However, it’s essential to be aware that some computer-challenged family members may not fully understand or receive the digital invitations, so it’s a good idea to have alternative communication methods for them.
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What You Shouldn’t Try To Save Money On
Photography
Don’t Skimp Out On Photography
Investing in photography is one of the most crucial expenditures when planning a wedding. Keep in mind that the cake will be devoured, flowers will wither, but the photographs will endure forever.
A skilled photographer is truly invaluable. They have the ability to capture fleeting moments that vanish in the blink of an eye, and these are the moments that truly matter. You wouldn’t want to miss the chance to capture a photo of your beaming grandmother, a teary-eyed father, or the groom’s heartfelt reaction upon seeing his beautiful bride.
The DJ
Avoid the Budget DJ & DJ MCs
When it comes to your wedding, don’t skimp on the DJ. Here’s why:
- Music Is Memorable: Among the things people remember most about your wedding, music is right up there. A great DJ can elevate your night, while a terrible one can ruin it.
- Streaming Services don’t cut it: While Spotify or streaming services might seem like a budget-friendly option, there are potential issues. Venue speaker systems are often meant for speeches, not music, and they might not deliver the best quality. Also, what if the stream stops? Do you have backup music on hand? A DJ will have multiple ways to play music even if somethin fails.
- Inhouse system don’t match up: A professional DJ will always have the highest quality equipment with some speaker arrays starting at 3500 each.
- Coordination Matters: Coordinating music for key moments like the first dance, cake cutting, and entrance/exit is crucial. It needs to be spot on for a wedding.
- Microphone Matters: You’ll need microphones for speeches and recordings. Using the venue’s equipment may not work well for your videographer, and managing your own microphones can be tricky.
- Time Is Precious: Planning a wedding is already hectic. Booking a professional DJ who can also serve as an MC saves you time and ensures your dance floor stays lively. We can also organise the music based on some of your requests taking that stress away.
So, the best way to save in this area is to have your DJ double as the MC. It might not seem like a lot, but it can save you more than hiring a separate professional MC.
For further information on the difference between a professional and budget by clicking HERE.
