Smart Strategies To Plan A Wedding Under $10,000

Planning a wedding can be an expensive affair, with the average wedding costing $33,000 in the US and £20,700 in the UK. However, it is possible to plan a wedding on a budget of $10,000 or less. Here are some tips and tricks to keep the cost of your big day below this threshold.

The first step is to create a comprehensive budget that covers all the essentials, from the venue and catering to the wedding attire and entertainment. Break down your budget into categories such as venue, catering, ceremony fees, stationery, hair and makeup, bridesmaids, bridal accessories, photography, reception decor, wedding dress, flowers, cake, music, and miscellaneous expenses.

One of the biggest expenses is the venue, which can cost upwards of $10,000. To save money, consider a non-traditional venue such as a local bar or restaurant, a backyard wedding, a national park, or a public beach. You could also look into hourly venue rentals or religious sites, which may offer discounted rates for members.

Catering is another large expense, with the average cost per plate being around $75. To reduce costs, opt for a food truck, drop-off catering, or a buffet instead of a formal sit-down dinner. You could also provide a potluck dinner or ask guests to bring a dish instead of a gift.

For the wedding attire, consider renting your wedding dress or suit, or look for pre-owned or off-the-rack options. You can also save money on hair and makeup by doing it yourself or enlisting the help of a talented friend or family member.

When it comes to flowers, opt for artificial flowers or DIY your own floral arrangements using wholesale flowers. You can also reuse the bridesmaids' bouquets as centrepieces to save money.

Entertainment is another area where costs can add up. Instead of a live band, consider hiring a DJ or creating your own playlist. If you have musically inclined friends or family members, you could ask them to perform during the ceremony or reception.

Finally, don't forget to budget for miscellaneous expenses such as your marriage license, officiant fees, transportation, and wedding favours.

By being mindful of your budget and making strategic choices, you can plan a beautiful wedding without breaking the bank.

Venue, cake & catering

The venue, food and drink are likely to be the biggest expenses at your wedding, so it's important to be savvy when it comes to choosing these.

Firstly, consider the size of your guest list. The smaller the guest list, the smaller the venue you can choose, which will save you money.

If you're looking for a unique venue, consider a community hall, a museum, a rooftop, a vineyard, a winery, a rustic barn, a cafe, a restaurant, a pub, or even a friend's backyard. These options can be cheaper than a traditional wedding venue, and some may include catering.

If you're set on a more expensive venue, consider getting married in January or February, which are the cheapest months for weddings.

When it comes to food and drink, you could save money by choosing a venue with an all-inclusive food and beverage package, or one that lets you bring your own food and drink. If you're supplying your own alcohol, buy it in bulk during sales.

For the cake, you could expect to pay around $500, but there are ways to save money. Opt for a simple design with buttercream icing and fresh flowers, rather than sugar flowers and fondant. You could also provide an additional sheet cake to get enough servings for all your guests without having to buy a large, expensive wedding cake. Alternatively, skip the cake altogether and go for cupcakes, pies, or an ice cream bar.

Example Breakdown

Here's an example of how you could spend your $10,000 budget, focusing on the venue, cake and catering:

• Venue: $4,000
• Catering: $2,000
• Cake: $300
• Alcohol: $500
• Other food/drink: $200

This leaves you with $3,000 to spend on other expenses, such as attire, photography, flowers, and entertainment.

Tips

• Opt for a package deal with your venue that includes catering, a bar package, basic rentals, and service.
• Choose a venue that makes cakes onsite.
• Limit your cake budget to $200-$300, or opt for cupcakes, pies, or an ice cream bar.
• Choose a venue that lets you bring your own food and drink, or buy in bulk during sales.
• Keep your guest list small to reduce venue and catering costs.
• Get married in the off-peak season, such as January or February.

Photography/videography

Photography and videography are important aspects of a wedding, as they capture the memories of the day. Typically, photography and videography account for about 15% of a couple's overall wedding budget.

Photography

The cost of a wedding photographer depends on various factors, such as location and the photographer's experience level. Average pricing falls around $2,500 to $4,000, but can range from $1,000 to $50,000 or more in the United States.

To save money, consider the following:

• Research photographers within your budget and explore their portfolios.
• Book the best photographer in your price range and decide if you want to splurge on extras.
• Avoid trying to negotiate the price; instead, have an open conversation about your budget during the initial consultation.

Videography

The national average cost for wedding videography is $990 to $1,260. However, prices can vary depending on wedding length, special film features, editing requirements, and the number of videographers needed.

To save money, consider the following:

• Find a vendor who offers both photography and videography services in a discounted package.
• Opt for a simple wedding documentary, which could cost around $600 or more.
• Be clear about your maximum budget and ask about different package options.

Combined Photography and Videography Budget for a $10,000 Wedding

For a $10,000 wedding budget, allocate around $1,200 to $1,550 for photography and videography. This may require some careful planning and consideration of your priorities.

• Opt for a package deal: Look for a photographer or videographer who offers a package that includes an album or other extras within your budget.
• Student photographers: Consider hiring a student photographer, who typically charges less than established professionals. Student photographers often charge around $50 to $120 per hour.
• Coverage time: Be mindful of how much coverage time you need. Some photographers charge by the hour, so you can save money by booking them for a shorter period.
• Raw footage: If you are comfortable with editing, you may be able to negotiate a lower price for raw footage only.
• Prioritize: Decide what is most important to you and your partner. If having professional photos or videos is a priority, you may need to allocate a larger portion of your budget to this category.

By being mindful of your budget and making informed decisions, you can successfully plan your wedding photography and videography within your $10,000 budget.

Music/Entertainment

Music and entertainment typically make up about 10.5% of a couple's wedding budget. For a $10,000 budget, that's $1,050. However, you can tweak this number to suit your style. If you're happy to skip the live music, you can allocate more money to other areas of your wedding.

Live Music

If you want to hire a live band, the number of musicians will affect the price. A wedding band with three members will cost between $750 and $1,600, while a band with four or five members will cost around $1,400 to $2,000. A duo will cost between $500 and $800, and a solo musician will cost between $400 and $900.

DJs

A DJ is a more budget-friendly option, usually costing from $500. A DJ and live musician act combines the flexibility of a DJ with the thrill of a live performance and costs from $550.

Other Entertainment

There are plenty of other entertainment options to choose from, including:

• Magicians ($300 to $500)
• Caricaturists ($400)
• Singing waiters ($650 to $1,000)
• Circus entertainers
• Photo booths

Streaming Services

If you're looking for a more affordable option, you could create your own playlists on streaming services like Spotify. This option saves you money (into the thousands) and ensures you get to listen and dance to your favourite songs.

Flowers, decorations, & wedding favors

Flowers, decorations, and wedding favors can be a large part of your wedding budget, but there are many ways to save money in these areas without sacrificing style or elegance. Here are some tips and tricks to keep the costs down:

Flowers:

• Opt for seasonal flowers: Choosing flowers that are in season during your wedding month can be more affordable. Local, in-season flowers will have lower costs and a reduced environmental impact. For example, tulips are a great choice for a spring wedding, while amaryllis is ideal for winter nuptials.
• Simplify your flower choices: Instead of intricate flower arrangements, go for simpler designs and smaller bouquets. A single type of flower in bulk can be more cost-effective than a variety of blooms.
• Repurpose flowers: To get the most out of your floral budget, repurpose flowers from the ceremony to the reception. Bridesmaids' bouquets or flowers used to decorate the ceremony space can be used as centerpieces during the reception.
• Choose long-lasting blooms: Flowers with a longer vase life, such as alstroemeria or carnations, will last longer and may be more cost-effective in the long run.
• Mix fresh and dried flowers: Dried flowers have a longer shelf life and can be paired with fresh flowers for a unique styling combination.

Decorations:

• Choose a venue with built-in decor: Select a venue that already has beautiful features, such as an exposed brick wall, large windows, or a fireplace mantel. This reduces the need for additional decorations.
• Focus on impactful details: Prioritize larger elements or one area of decor that will make a lasting impression, such as unique table linens or a floral arch.
• Repurpose decor: Use ceremony flowers and decorations, such as small arrangements or aisle markers, at the reception as well.
• Opt for candle centerpieces: Candles can be a more affordable alternative to flowers and create a romantic and elegant atmosphere.
• Shop at budget-friendly stores: Look for decorations at stores like The Knot Shop, Etsy, Amazon, and Wayfair, which offer a range of inexpensive and unique options.

Wedding Favors:

• Buy in bulk: Purchasing wedding favors in bulk can help you score discounts and keep costs down.
• Choose edible treats: Edible favors, such as personalized chocolates, cookies, or savory snacks, are often more affordable and are sure to be enjoyed by your guests.
• Practical gifts: Opt for practical favors that your guests can use, such as bottle openers, matchboxes, coasters, or hand fans.
• DIY favors: If you're crafty, consider making your own wedding favors, such as plantable seed papers or filling glass candy jars with treats.
• Personalized touches: Add a personalized touch to your favors, such as custom stickers or tags with your wedding details and a cute photo.

Wardrobe, hair & makeup

The average couple spends around 8.5% of their total wedding budget on wardrobe, hair, and makeup, which equates to $850 for a $10,000 budget. However, you can tweak this number to suit your style. For example, if you want to splurge on your dream dress, you can cut costs on entertainment or decorations.

Wardrobe

The average wedding dress costs around $1,800, but you can find cheaper options. For instance, you can buy a used gown, rent a designer dress, or buy a dress off-the-rack from a department store. You can also opt for a non-traditional wedding dress, like a custom-made cocktail dress, which can cost as little as $900.

For the groom, a fantastic rental suit can be found for $100.

Hair & Makeup

The average cost of wedding hair and makeup is $300, but prices typically range from $150 to $600 depending on your location and the intricacy of the style.

A bridal hairstyle typically costs between $100 and $350, with updos costing more than blowouts. A bridal makeup look usually costs around $140, but you can pay up to $1,500 depending on the location and the expertise of the artist.

You can save money by doing your own hair and makeup, or by booking a student hair stylist or makeup artist.

Additionally, you can skip the hair and makeup trial, which typically costs between $50 and $200, or book a trial with a different stylist to save money.

If you're having bridesmaids, you should expect to pay for their hair and makeup. On average, bridesmaid hair costs $50 for a blowout and $75 for an updo, while bridesmaid makeup costs around $75.

Pre-Wedding Beauty Treatments

There are several pre-wedding beauty treatments you can consider to help you look and feel your best on your big day. These include:

• Massage therapy ($65)
• Facials ($55)
• Manicures ($25)
• Pedicures ($35)
• Body art, such as mehendi ($75)
• Tanning ($40)

Frequently asked questions