Junior Rasmussen
Planning a wedding on a budget can be challenging, but it's certainly possible. The average wedding costs $35,000, but with careful planning and creativity, you can have a beautiful and memorable wedding without breaking the bank. From choosing a budget-friendly venue to DIY decorations and catering options, there are numerous ways to save money. Keeping the guest list small and prioritising expenses can also help stretch your budget further. Additionally, enlisting the help of a wedding planner or using online resources can provide valuable guidance in allocating your funds efficiently. Whether you're aiming for a $1,000 wedding or something slightly larger, with thoughtful considerations, you can create a special day that aligns with your financial goals and aspirations.
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What You'll Learn
Opt for a small wedding
Opting for a small wedding is a great way to save money on your big day. The guest list size is one of the biggest factors in determining the overall cost of a wedding. By keeping the guest list short, you can reduce costs on food, drinks, venue fees, and table and chair rentals.
One way to keep costs down is to choose a small, intimate venue that can accommodate your guest list without needing to rent additional furniture or space. Public beaches, parks, and backyards can be great options for a small wedding, and some beaches offer free weddings on a first-come, first-served basis. Alternatively, you could consider getting married at city hall, which is often a free venue, and then hosting a small reception at a restaurant.
Another way to save money is to choose a less popular day of the week for your wedding. Mondays through Thursdays are typically cheaper for venues and vendors, and you can save up to 25% by choosing a day other than Saturday.
To further reduce costs, consider DIY options for decorations, invitations, and bouquets. You can also save money on catering by opting for an abbreviated cocktail reception instead of a full dinner reception, or by choosing a less expensive option such as a taco bar or catering from a restaurant like Chipotle.
Finally, don't be afraid to prioritize your spending. Decide what is most important to you and allocate your budget accordingly. A wedding planner can also help you make the most of your budget and avoid costly mistakes.
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Choose a budget-friendly venue
When it comes to weddings, the venue can be one of the most expensive parts. But it doesn't have to be. Here are some tips to choose a budget-friendly venue for your big day:
City Hall or Courthouse
A civil ceremony at your local city hall or courthouse is a great way to save money. These venues are often free or very low cost, with some municipal offices charging less than $100 and, in Washington, D.C., it's free. Plus, these buildings can have stunning architecture, providing a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photos.
Public Parks and Gardens
National parks and public parks offer special-use permits for a fraction of the cost of private venues. You can tie the knot surrounded by nature, with fees typically ranging from $100 to $400. However, keep in mind that public spaces may not provide tables and chairs, so rental fees for these items can add up quickly.
Beaches
Some public beaches allow weddings for free on a first-come, first-served basis. However, places like California offer beach wedding permits ranging from $100 to $150. If you're looking for a seaside setting, consider a vacation rental on the beach or ask friends or family with access to a private beach if you can use their space.
Community Gardens or Greenhouses
These spaces offer a romantic setting with blooms, glass windows, and brick-paved sidewalks. Public gardens or greenhouses typically have lower site fees than private venues, but they may be open to the public during your event, and popular spaces book up fast.
Alternative Venues
Think outside the box for your venue. Consider a local farm or winery, which can provide a naturally beautiful setting for a rustic wedding. You could also look into non-traditional hotels, home rentals, museums, or libraries, which can offer picturesque locations for a fraction of the typical price.
Remember, affordability is relative, and the best cheap wedding venue is one that gives you the most for your money based on your specific needs and vision. By choosing a less expensive venue, you can allocate more of your budget to other important aspects of your wedding, such as food, design, décor, or photography.
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Keep costs low with a small guest list
Keeping the guest list small is one of the most effective ways to keep wedding costs low. The more people you invite, the more you'll have to spend on food, drinks, invitations, and more.
To keep the guest list small, you could limit plus-ones to only those in long-term relationships. You could also make the wedding child-free, which can make a big difference if you have a large family.
If you're keeping the guest list very small, you might want to only invite your parents, siblings, and grandparents. You don't need to invite distant cousins or friends you've lost touch with, even if you were invited to their wedding.
Another way to keep numbers down is to not send save-the-date invitations, as your closest family and friends are likely to already have the date marked in their calendars.
You could also consider keeping the wedding itself small and hosting a separate, low-cost celebration later on where you invite more people. For example, you could have a one-year anniversary party at an affordable venue, which won't include all the extra costs of a wedding.
Remember that the venue you choose should be appropriate for the size of your guest list. If you're inviting 50 people, don't choose a venue that seats 200. Opting for a smaller venue can also bring down overall spending, as you won't need as much decor, food, and drink.
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Save on wedding attire
The average cost of a wedding dress is estimated to be around $2,000, but there are many ways to cut costs on your gown without sacrificing style. Firstly, consider the style of your wedding. Generally, casual wedding attire is less expensive than formal wedding attire. If you've chosen an informal or outdoor venue, a simpler dress might be a better fit for the vibe of your wedding, and your budget. A micro dress, for example, is a simpler and less expensive option that still has an unmistakable bridal style.
Another way to save money on a wedding dress is to buy off-the-rack. Bridal salons need to keep their stock up to date, so they offer pre-made ensembles that you can purchase at a lower price. This saves you money because you avoid the costs of having a dress made from scratch or customised. You can also save money by buying a dress from a sample sale or attending a trunk show, where you can find statement-making looks that are up to 70% off.
You could also consider renting a wedding dress, which will save you money and closet space. Websites such as The Dress Outlet, Rent the Runway, and Borrowing Magnolia offer designer looks for much less. For instance, renting a dress that normally costs four figures will usually drop down to three figures.
If you want to buy a new dress, it's best to start shopping early. This will give you the most options and help you avoid rush fees associated with getting the dress in and alterations. January is the best month to shop for a wedding dress because that's when designers introduce their new lines and shops put the styles they're retiring on sale.
Finally, consider wearing a dress that belonged to your mother or grandmother. While choosing a vintage dress isn't necessarily free, as restoring and altering it can cost a few hundred dollars, it carries true sentimental value and will save you the cost of a new gown.
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Plan a weekday wedding
The first step to planning a wedding on a budget is to figure out what your budget is. Be realistic and optimistic, and decide on a number that you're comfortable with and able to spend. It's important to stick to a budget that doesn't require loans or credit card charges that you cannot repay within a few months.
Next, decide on three categories where you want to allocate bigger chunks of your budget. This could be food, decor, attire, entertainment, or anything else that is important to you.
Now, let's get into the specifics of planning a weekday wedding:
Venue
Venue rates are often cheaper on Fridays and Sundays, and even cheaper from Monday to Thursday. This is a great way to save on costs, and it's becoming more and more common for budget-conscious couples to opt for a non-Saturday wedding. You could also consider a public park, which can be free or require only a small permit fee.
Guest List
The bigger your guest list, the more expensive your wedding will be. By having a weekday wedding, you can naturally thin out your guest count as fewer people will be able to attend. This will reduce costs on food, beverages, rentals, and service staff.
Catering
Catering costs can add up quickly, especially if you're serving alcohol. To save money, you can limit your bar to beer and wine only, or even have a dry wedding. Instead of a full dinner reception, you could opt for an abbreviated cocktail reception or a brunch wedding, which is another creative way to save money.
Entertainment
Live music can be expensive, so consider a DJ instead, or create your own playlist and broadcast it over a speaker.
Decor
Simple DIY wedding decorations can be a fun and creative way to save money and involve your bridal party. You can also explore alternatives to fresh flowers, such as potted plants, fruit bowls, stacked books, vintage tea sets, or paper flowers.
Officiant
You might not need to pay for an officiant if you have a close friend or family member conduct your ceremony. Some states don't require officiants to be ordained, and you can even get ordained online for free or for a small fee.
Timing
It's important to plan ahead when it comes to a weekday wedding. Send out invitations early so that guests can request time off work if needed. Additionally, be mindful of the time of your ceremony and reception to avoid overlapping with typical work hours.
Remember, by choosing a weekday wedding, you're already making a significant saving, so well done! Now you can focus on allocating your budget to the areas that are most important to you and your partner.
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Frequently asked questions
The venue is usually about half of the wedding budget, but it doesn't have to be. You can opt for a wedding in a public park or a friend's backyard. You can also consider hosting the wedding during the week, as venue rates are often cheaper on Fridays and Sundays and even cheaper Monday through Thursday.
Alcohol, especially an open bar, will set you back a pretty penny. You could plan a dry wedding or host a brunch wedding, which is cheaper than an evening reception. Buffets are typically the cheapest catering option, followed by family-style service and then plated meals. You could also save money by having your reception at a restaurant.
Wedding flowers from a florist average $2,300, but you can opt for artificial flowers, which can look just as good and are four times cheaper. You can also ask recently married friends if you can borrow centrepieces or other leftover items.
Wedding planners can advise you on how to allocate your budget and ensure you don't make costly mistakes. However, they can be expensive, with the average cost of a wedding planner ranging from $2k to $5k. Instead, you could hire a wedding coach, which is a more affordable option that can help you with planning and keeping things on schedule.
