Wanting an affordable wedding and knowing how to go about it are two completely different things. We’re here to bridge that gap with wedding ideas on a budget that still deliver the day you want. From finding cheap wedding venues to knowing when to DIY, we look into what saves you money.
According to Statista, the US has one of the highest average wedding costs in the world at $35,000. That doesn’t mean you have to spend that much. It’s possible to get married and spend $10,000, $5,000, or even less. You just need to know where to make those savings and how to use your budget wisely.
Let’s look at how to approach your wedding planning and the key areas where you can make some savings.
Wedding Ideas on a Budget
Most wedding planning sessions begin with the concept. That could be a rough idea of a color scheme or a theme. For affordable wedding ideas, keep the theme simple. During your planning, try not to be too rigid with the color scheme. We suggest working within a specific palette to have more flexibility when it comes to choosing dresses, tableware, and decor.
Choosing a laid-back theme can help when it comes to venue costs. We recommend you use a platform to find more affordable venues. You can search based on your budget and then develop your theme from there. Often, they’re the quirkier locations, such as national parks, beaches, and libraries.
How to Save Money on a Wedding
Wedding budgets aren’t easy to stick to, and that’s because all the individual expenses soon start to add up. If you’re saving money by not working with a wedding planner, then you need to do some careful budget allocation for each aspect of your wedding.
Some areas, such as the venue and food, can offer big savings. Other aspects, such as hair and makeup or the cake, deliver smaller savings. However, they make a difference when combined. Our wedding hacks for saving money focus on the main wedding expenses and how to make each aspect more affordable.
1. The Guest List
One of the first things that comes to mind when thinking of small wedding budget ideas is a smaller wedding. Wedding costs are often listed as a cost per head, so it makes sense that you can control the budget by restricting the numbers. It’s not just about food and beverage costs. It also means you can look at smaller venues.
You don’t have to cut the list drastically, but making those tough choices can add up to significant savings. There are different ways to approach it. For example, you can have evening guests, which saves money on any sit-down meal you plan.
2. Timing
Flexibility is a must if you want a smaller budget. One of the areas where it matters most is planning the date for your wedding. Timing is everything, and there are multiple ways to find better deals. Lots of venues and vendors have lower prices if you book outside of the peak spring/summer season.
Another of our top budget-friendly wedding tips is to consider the date and time of your wedding. Many venues offer lower prices for mid-week bookings. Plus, if you choose a morning ceremony and a wedding brunch, it removes the cost of an evening meal and can lower the beverage cost, too.
3. Wedding Attire
Your dress and tux take up a sizable part of the budget. One way to make savings is to consider vintage or second-hand items. There are stores and sites that specialize in those sales, so you can browse different styles. Crucially, they care well for the items, so they’ll look like new on your big day.
Another option is to rent your dress and tux, which cuts down on the cost. As for the wedding party, you could save more by deciding not to have bridesmaids and groomsmen. Being more relaxed about the dress code can save money. For example, instead of matching dresses, get the bridesmaids to each wear something they already own that fits the color palette or theme.
4. The Venue
Typically, the biggest part of your wedding budget goes toward the venue. It makes sense, then, that it’s also the area where you can make the biggest savings. A courthouse wedding ceremony, followed by a backyard reception, is the route to eliminating venue costs. It’s not the only option, though
For low-cost wedding planning, use a venue finder like Breezit, Wedding Spot, or Zola. When you use the wedding venue discovery platform Breezit, it’s easier to explore venues within your budget. It’s our top choice as it has a filter for affordable venues. Plus, it makes it easy to compare and book venues online.
5. Hair and Makeup
Many brides looking at wedding planning on a budget decide to do their own hair and makeup. We say that it all comes down to confidence. If you don’t know how to style your hair, line up your usual visit to the hairdresser with your wedding so that you can look your best on the day.
As for makeup, practice makes perfect. We recommend visiting some beauty counters to try out different products. One of our favorite hacks is to get tips and application advice from the staff. We know that a lot of brides feel more comfortable doing their makeup as they feel they look more like themselves.
When working out your look, balance looking good in person and in the photos. One way to do that is by not using light-reflecting products. It’s also a good idea to test setting sprays and powders to help your look last all day.
6. Decor
The choices you make for your decor can save you money. You can make big or small cuts, depending on your budget and the theme. For chairs, tables, and larger items, consider renting them to keep costs down.
Another option is to look out for second-hand decor on sites like eBay. We’ve found that dollar stores are another option for candle holders and faux flowers; you just need some vision and creativity.
Imgae: GettyImages
Opting for greenery over florals and sticking with what’s in season are other ways to keep costs low. You can also opt for DIY wedding decorations. Consider making it an activity for guests to bring photos to add to a wall. Another idea is for guests to bring a keepsake. It could be something that reminds them of the happy couple or when they met their significant other.
7. The Cake
The average cost of a wedding cake in the US is $350. You can easily cut that cost by half or even more with these tips. If you’re a baker or you know someone who is, use that. Ask if they can give the cake as a gift or at a reduced price for a more affordable option.
The price of the cake depends on the number of tiers and the decorations, so being flexible can keep costs down. You can opt for a cupcake display instead. You can get store-bought cupcakes or make your own and then do the icing and decoration yourselves, or make it part of the day.
8. The Food
Like the venue, food is another significant wedding cost. There are lots of options that you can find to stick within your budget, though. Consider going outside the usual wedding vendors and choosing to have your meal at a family-owned restaurant that you like. Alternatively, you could get some food trucks in for a relaxed feel with a better price tag.
If you’re going for traditional catering at the venue, you can make affordable choices. A buffet service is less expensive than a sit-down meal. The foods you choose affect the cost, too. Think more vegetables and filling foods like sandwiches, pasta, and chicken over salmon and beef.
As for drinks, you can choose to provide wine and beer instead of hard liquor. Alternatively, provide champagne for the toasts and make it a cash bar rather than an open one. Just make sure guests know that before arriving and on the day.
Imgae: GettyImages
9. The Vendors
Outside of the vendors we’ve already mentioned, there are lots of others that can be involved in your big day that quickly eat up your budget. Photographers, videographers, officiants, transport, and entertainment are all considerations. In some cases, you can skip them or ask for favors or gifts from family and friends.
You can choose a DIY approach for some things, such as invitations and wedding favors. If your budget can stretch to getting a vendor for these things, give yourselves enough time to do your research. We’ve found that finding the best fit at the right price takes time and effort. It’s not only about the search, as communicating with vendors is part of the process.
Focus on Your Priorities
With a little planning, inexpensive wedding themes, and cost-saving measures in the right places, you can stick to your wedding budget. Choosing the venue and the food is key to saving money, but cutting back on the smaller things can add up, too.
Whatever you do, set out your priorities when you begin. It’ll help you to be more flexible in other areas. Perhaps finding the perfect dress is at the top of your list, but the food and cake aren’t so important? For other couples, they’re focused on the dream venue and happy with a much smaller guest list. Once you know what’s right for you, the cost-saving decisions will become much easier.