A Dream Wedding On A Shoestring Budget

Planning a wedding on a budget of $5,000 is challenging but possible. The average cost of a wedding in the US is $31,213, and couples with a budget under $10,000 accounted for only 16% of wedding budgets in 2023. However, with careful planning and some compromises, a memorable wedding can be achieved on a limited budget.

The key to staying within a $5,000 budget is to prioritise and be flexible. The biggest cost-saving measure is to limit the number of guests, as this reduces costs across the board, including food, drinks, and venue size. Choosing a non-traditional venue, such as a community centre, local club, park, or even a loved one's backyard, can also result in significant savings.

Another major expense is food and drink. Opting for a less conventional meal time, such as brunch or an early afternoon reception, can reduce costs. Choosing buffet-style catering or self-catering can also save money, especially for larger weddings.

The wedding dress is another area where costs can be cut. Instead of a bridal boutique gown, consider a non-traditional dress from a second-hand shop or an online retailer.

Other cost-saving measures include DIY invitations, buying flowers from a wholesaler or supermarket, and enlisting friends and family to help with photography, music, and baking the wedding cake.

While it requires creativity and compromise, planning a wedding on a $5,000 budget is achievable and can result in a unique and memorable celebration.

Cut the guest list

One of the most effective ways to keep your wedding budget under $5,000 is to limit the number of guests you invite. According to The Knot's study, the average wedding has 136 guests, but you can significantly reduce costs by having a more intimate gathering with just family and close friends.

• Start with a rough brainstorming session: Begin by making a list of people you and your partner are closest to. This should include immediate family, close friends, and relatives.
• Put people into groups: Organize your list by grouping people by their relationship to you. Start with immediate family, then move to close friends and relatives, and continue from there. This will help you identify where the bulk of your guests are coming from and make it easier to trim the list if needed.
• Consider your relationship with each person: Ask yourself how close you are to each person on the list, how well you know them, and how well they know you and your partner. Your final guest list should be composed of people with whom you share important and lasting relationships.
• Give all contributing parties a guest count limit: If both sides of the family are contributing equally to the guest list, it's common to allocate a third of the total guest count to each side. However, if you and your partner are footing the bill, you may want to increase your stake and allocate half of the guest list to yourselves.
• Eliminate plus-ones and/or children: While it would be ideal to allow every guest to bring a plus-one, this may not be feasible on a limited budget. Consider setting clear rules, such as only inviting plus-ones that you have met or met a certain duration of dating. Similarly, you may choose to make your wedding adults-only to reduce the number of guests.
• Don't feel obligated to invite distant relatives or friends you've grown apart from: Your wedding is a celebration for you, your partner, and your immediate family. There is no need to extend invitations to everyone in your extended family or friends you are no longer close with.
• Be mindful of package deals: There are certain guests you must invite, such as the officiant's spouse and the parents of children in your wedding party. Additionally, it is common courtesy to invite the spouse or live-in partner of each invited guest.
• Account for reciprocity: If you attended a friend's wedding within the last year, it is customary to invite them to yours, especially if your events are of similar size.

By following these guidelines and being mindful of your budget constraints, you can successfully narrow down your guest list to a manageable size while still including the people who matter most to you.

Choose an alternative venue

The venue is likely to be the most expensive part of your wedding, so choosing an alternative venue is a great way to save money. Here are some ideas for alternative venues that won't break the bank:

• Local parks or public spaces: Contact your local parks department to see if they offer wedding services. Parks and public locations are usually very affordable options. An outdoor garden location is also a good bet, as there isn't much overhead with an outdoor space.
• Community centres or local clubs: These spaces are often available for rent at a low cost, especially if you're a member of the local social club.
• Churches and associated fellowship halls: If you're a member of a church, you may be able to get the space for free or at a discounted rate.
• Backyard or cottage: If you have any family or friends with a large backyard or cottage, you could ask to borrow their space for your wedding. This option works best for smaller weddings.
• Restaurant: With a small guest list, you can often find a restaurant with a private room that will accommodate your group. The restaurant is already furnished and decorated, and you won't need to pay for rentals or decor. Plus, the food and drinks are taken care of!
• Airbnb: Consider renting an Airbnb for your wedding. You can often find beautiful homes with large yards that are perfect for a wedding.
• Zoo: Having your wedding at the zoo can be a fun and unique option. Many zoos offer discounted rates for events during their operating hours.
• Barn: A barn can be a charming and affordable venue option. Some barns may even have hay bales that can be used for seating, saving you even more money.

When choosing an alternative venue, don't be afraid to think outside the box. With a little creativity, you can find a venue that fits your budget and your style.

Choose an alternative time

Choosing an alternative time for your wedding can be a great way to save money. Opting for a wedding during off-peak season, such as mid-morning or early afternoon, can help you negotiate better prices with venues and vendors. You could also consider a weekday wedding, which is typically cheaper than a weekend wedding.

For example, LaTisha Styles, who had a $5000 wedding, saved $500 by having her ceremony and reception in the afternoon from noon to 4 pm. Similarly, Sandy Smith negotiated a discount on her venue by choosing a weekday wedding from 2 pm to 6 pm.

If you're open to a less traditional wedding time, consider a breakfast or brunch reception. Breakfast food is generally less expensive than a typical wedding dinner, and your guests might enjoy the change of pace.

Additionally, choosing a time when alcohol is not typically consumed can help reduce costs. For instance, you could have a daytime wedding and not serve any alcohol, or offer a limited open bar with just one free drink per guest.

By choosing an alternative time for your wedding, you can not only save money but also create a unique and memorable experience for you and your guests.

Cut down on the alcohol

Alcohol can be a huge expense at a wedding, so here are some ideas to help you cut down on costs.

Firstly, consider the type of alcohol you will be serving. Beer and wine are usually cheaper options than cocktails or spirits, so you may want to opt for a beer and wine-only wedding. If you do decide to include spirits, you could create a DIY cocktail bar. In the months leading up to your wedding, buy a selection of spirits and mixers at the cheapest prices and set up a "serve yourself" cocktail table at the wedding. You could also have a bartender mixing drinks with what you've provided.

Another way to reduce costs is to delay the start of the open bar. After the cocktail hour, stop serving drinks until after dinner. You can still serve guests champagne for toasts, and then hold off on reopening the bar until later in the evening. This will reduce the total amount of alcohol served, and therefore the cost.

If you are supplying your own alcohol, you could ask your guests to bring a bottle as their gift to you. This may need to be communicated in advance so that it doesn't seem like an additional request. Alternatively, you could host a "bar shower", where guests bring alcohol to stock up your home bar, but you can use it for the wedding instead.

If you are happy to have a limited selection of drinks, you could opt for exclusively themed drinks. For example, at a fall wedding, you could offer spiked cider and apple ale. This will help you to control costs as you will know exactly which types and quantities of alcohol you need.

Finally, you could ask your venue or caterer about a consumption package. This means you will be charged for the drinks consumed, rather than an upfront fixed price per head. However, this option can be risky if you have a lot of heavy drinkers as guests, as the bill may be higher than a fixed package.

Craft your own invitations

Crafting your own wedding invitations is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. Here are some tips and ideas to help you create beautiful DIY wedding invitations:

Types of DIY Wedding Invitations

There are different levels of "do-it-yourself" when it comes to wedding invitations. Here are a few options:

• Editable Invitation Templates: You can find editable digital templates online and personalise them with your details. Some companies even allow you to add a photograph of you and your partner. After finalising the design, you can order the invitations to be printed and delivered to your door.
• Printable Templates: You can purchase customisable templates from online marketplaces like Etsy. You can personalise the template with your details, and then print the invitations yourself or use a printing shop. This option gives you more flexibility in choosing the paper and adding DIY touches like a wedding stamp or hand-written signatures.
• From Scratch Invites: If you prefer to create your own digital invitation from scratch, you can use platforms like Canva, which offer free templates, design tools, and customisation options. You can then print the invitations yourself or send them as digital invitations via email or messaging apps.

Ideas for DIY Wedding Invites

• Gold Foil Details: Gold foil is an inexpensive way to add elegance and luxury to your invitations. You can add gold foil to the borders or scatter it throughout the design.
• Watercolour Backgrounds: If you're artistically inclined, consider painting watercolour backgrounds for your invitations. Each invitation will be unique, and you can use similar colours and placement to tie them together as a set.
• Textured Paper: Printing or writing your invitations on textured paper adds a touch of sophistication and elevates the handmade feel.
• Pinned Invitations: If your invitation consists of multiple sheets of paper, you can pin them together with a decorative fastener, such as a gold or silver pin. This adds a professional finish and makes it easier for guests to fan out the pages.
• Hand-Tied Invitations: Adding a simple piece of string or ribbon to your invitations gives them a charming, rustic look. You can also use hessian string or seeded paper that guests can later plant in their gardens.
• Real Flowers: Include dried flowers or fresh blooms in your invitations to tease your colour scheme or the flowers you plan to use on your wedding day.
• Floral Wax Seals: Use dried flowers or botanical leaves to adorn the wax seals on your envelopes. You can also personalise the wax seals with your initials for a luxurious touch.
• Vellum Invitation Jackets: Wrapping your invitations in vellum cases adds a touch of elegance and makes homemade invitations look more professional.
• DIY Envelope Inserts: Download generic envelope insert templates, print, and cut them out to personalise your envelopes.

Tips for Crafting DIY Wedding Invitations

• Know Your Vision: Start by defining your theme, colours, materials, and the overall look you want to achieve. Take inspiration from professional designs but be realistic about your skill set and the time you have available.
• Practise and Proofread: Practise creating your invitations before finalising the design. Proofread the text carefully and enlist others to help with proofreading to catch any errors or typos.
• Consider Postage and Delivery: Choose crafts that won't be easily damaged during postage. Visit the post office to determine the correct postage based on the weight and size of your invitations. Consider hand-cancelling to avoid potential ripping or damage.
• Set Aside Enough Time: Give yourself ample time to create all the invitations and factor in potential delays or the need for reprints.
• Don't Assume DIY Is Cheaper: Sometimes, the cost of materials, tools, and time spent on DIY projects can be comparable to or even more expensive than purchasing ready-made invitations. Compare the costs before committing to DIY.
• Invest in High-Quality Tools: For the best results, invest in excellent tools like a paper trimmer and a quality printer. If your budget allows, consider booking a professional printing service.

By following these tips and ideas, you can create beautiful and unique DIY wedding invitations that set the tone for your special day while staying within your budget.

Frequently asked questions