Wedding jewelry can get very expensive, especially if you’re purchasing matching rings, earrings, and necklaces to wear on your big day. Luckily, there are many ways to save money on wedding jewelry without sacrificing style or quality that you can use to help keep your wedding budget from getting out of control.
Check out these 10 tips for saving money on wedding jewelry below!
1) Buy from Jewelry Stores
The internet has made it possible for us to buy jewelry from just about anywhere, including China. Although those options might seem appealing at first, keep in mind that it could take a while before you actually receive your items and if you aren’t careful, you could end up with some very cheap-looking jewelry.
Instead of going that route, consider shopping for your wedding jewelry in an actual store. Many jewelers offer store credit or price matching guarantees so don’t be afraid to compare prices online and off. Buying from a jeweler also lets you see exactly what you’re getting which means fewer surprises later down the road.
2) Consider the Set
Going into wedding planning with a set budget can help save you money—and keep you sane. Most couples’ budgets range between $2,000 and $5,000 for their wedding jewelry sets. If you have your heart set on a designer piece, don’t let the price stop you. Instead of buying one expensive engagement ring, consider purchasing two cheaper ones that look good together; they will usually be made out of less-expensive metals like white gold or platinum.
3) Make a Budget
Before you can make a wedding budget, you’ll need to know how much money you have to spend. Make a list of all your income sources (salary, side jobs, etc.) and estimate how much money each source will give you for your wedding.
Set some money aside for extras; even with a strict budget, it’s easy to get carried away when shopping for wedding-related expenses. The average cost of a wedding in America is $20,000. If that’s too steep for your taste, keep in mind that it’s possible—and encouraged—to stick with DIY projects and find affordable alternatives; Tiffany & Co.’s diamond stud earrings are actually created using cubic zirconia!
4) Be Wary of Bridal Sets
In general, bridal sets are less expensive than their individual counterparts but always do your research. If one piece in a set is much more valuable than another, it’s probably not a deal you want to make. A particularly nice diamond could be worth thousands more than other stones in a set.
Keep that in mind when shopping around and price out any ring separately first if there is one that catches your eye. Never pay full price for your wedding jewelry; there are many sales and discounts available throughout the year—just call up some of your favorite jewelers for details.
5) Buy Gold Only If You Can Afford it in All Circumstances
It might seem like a good idea to buy gold jewelry as a store of value for an uncertain future, but in reality, it could be costly if you can’t afford it. You shouldn’t buy any ring until you know for sure you can pay for it.
In other words, don’t count your chickens before they hatch; wait until you know how much money is coming in and when so that you have enough savings saved up to pay for any unexpected event. The longer you wait before getting married, the more time there is to save up and get your finances in order. That way, no matter what happens with your job or life situations down the road, at least one thing will be certain: your wedding ring will fit!
6) Choose Silver Over Platinum
The best way to save money on wedding jewelry is, of course, not to buy any. No matter how much you love those diamond earrings from your favorite fashion designer, you’re sure as heck not going to wear them often enough for it to be worth it (if ever).
It’s hard for me to think of a reason why anyone would need a pair of diamond earrings; do yourself a favor and save your money for something more practical like savings accounts or retirement funds. You’ll have plenty leftover if you don’t spend all your money on diamonds and designer handbags!
7) Don’t Waste Your Money on Designer Fashion Necklaces or Earrings
Don’t feel like you have to purchase a brand-name necklace or pair of earrings for your wedding day. You can actually save a bundle of money by shopping secondhand. Check out consignment shops and flea markets; they are some of your best bets for finding new, designer jewelry at low prices.
You can also try online websites like eBay or Craigslist. If you don’t mind buying something that has been used, you could save up to 90 percent off retail prices. Even better, make your own jewelry! There are plenty of places online that will help you make custom pieces with beads and jewels—all without spending an arm and a leg. Learn how to make beautiful bridal accessories while saving tons of cash!
8) Shop Around Online Before Visiting Stores in Person
One way to save money is by comparison shopping before visiting stores in person. Visit your favorite online jewelry stores and compare prices with what’s available in your local jewelry shops.
Then, once you’re at a store, ask for an internet price match or find an item similar enough that you can get it from another shop for less (for example, if you can’t find a two-carat diamond ring with five prongs in any nearby stores, then order one online).
If there’s something specific you need—like custom-made wedding bands—you’ll still have to visit in person, but at least you’ll know exactly what that rings costs elsewhere so that you can negotiate effectively.
9) Look Out for Sales and Deals at Local Stores Near You
There are several ways you can get wedding jewelry at a great price, from finding items that have fallen out of fashion to using coupons and deals at local stores. Be sure to check out sales happening locally before making a purchase online; you might just find what you’re looking for while avoiding extra shipping costs.
Whether you’re buying gold, silver, or something more nontraditional, be smart about what kinds of materials you go with and where you look for them. You could end up saving hundreds of dollars in comparison shopping and find exactly what fits your needs. Also, take advantage of coupon codes offered by online vendors—you never know when they’ll appear!
10) Avoid Packaged Sets. Buy Each Piece Separately.
One of my brides told me how excited she was when she went shopping for her wedding jewelry and found a set that would include everything she wanted, including earrings, necklace, bracelet, and rings. She was so excited about saving money and having one less thing to buy for her big day.
What she didn’t realize at first was that by buying it as a set, if something didn’t fit perfectly or worked with another piece of jewelry she already owned, then it wasn’t worth keeping. Buying individual pieces let her mix and match as much as possible without compromising what would go together when it came time for her wedding day.
