Finding the best prices on wedding supplies is crucial if you’re planning on a budget, but sometimes finding a great deal can be harder than you think. Sellers on all of the major retail websites have caught on to the demand for wedding supplies, and as a result the prices keep creeping higher and higher each year. The problem is that the wedding industry is the epitome of a seller’s market because couples have no choice but to buy the items that they need to make their day perfect. However, if you know where to look, you can find wholesale wedding supplies in places that you’d never expect.
Tables and Chairs
Tables and chairs are one of the most expensive components of any wedding reception, and most people just rent them in an effort to keep their costs as low as possible. However, you can go to a local live auction and buy your tables and chairs for only slightly more than it would cost to rent them, and then you can just put them back in the auction after the fact to virtually break even. Just look in your local paper for any upcoming auctions and see if you can’t take advantage of scoring your tables and chairs for better than wholesale prices. Make sure you grab a business cars after the auction so you know who to call when it’s time to relist the tables and chairs to reclaim as much of your investment as possible.
Wedding Favors
Wedding favors may seem inexpensive when considered individually, but as soon as you’re shopping for 200 people the cost can really add up fast. The solution is two-fold; choose high impact wedding favors that really maximize their value and get them at wholesale prices. My personal favorite option is to buy sparklers for your wedding from your local fireworks store right after Independence Day has passed. Most fireworks companies don’t want to hold much inventory for an entire year, especially flammable inventory; so you can usually get your wedding sparklers at wholesale prices without too much haggling. Just make sure you get there on the 5th of July because sparklers are usually the first thing to disappear from the store shelves.
Plates, Cups, and Basic Supplies
Lastly, you need to find a great source for all the essential supplies that you’ll need like plates, cups, napkins, etc. You can usually find pretty good deals at your local party supply shop right after a holiday, but you won’t get anywhere near the wholesale prices that you want. Instead, consider getting into a buying group with other couples planning their weddings and order in bulk straight from the manufacturer. It’s going to take some networking skills and a little bit of effort while sitting in front of your computer, but there are plenty of websites that are designed specifically to help you find other couples looking to buy the same items. Plus, getting wholesale prices on your wedding supplies is much easier to accomplish when buying in bulk versus going out and shopping on your own, so you’ll end up saving a lot of money in exchange for your effort.
