Junior Rasmussen
Planning a wedding on a budget can be challenging, but it is possible to create a memorable and elegant celebration without breaking the bank. The first step is to reset your mindset and focus on what truly matters—the couple and the people celebrating them. Keeping a short guest list can significantly reduce costs, as expenses increase with each additional guest due to food, drinks, and seating requirements. Choosing a non-traditional venue, such as a community college, a park, or even a backyard, can offer significant savings compared to hotels or wedding halls. Catering from your favourite local restaurant, even if it's fast food, can be a delicious and affordable option. Opting for a minimalist ceremony with simple DIY decorations and a small, snackable dessert can also help cut costs. For the wedding dress, consider renting, upcycling a family heirloom, or buying a second-hand dress to save money. With creativity and thoughtful planning, you can have a beautiful and budget-friendly wedding.
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What You'll Learn
Choose a non-traditional venue
Choosing a non-traditional venue is a great way to save money on your wedding. Traditional wedding venues can be very expensive, so thinking outside the box can help you cut costs while still creating a memorable day. Here are some ideas for unique and affordable venues:
Natural Surroundings
If you love the outdoors, consider a beach, canyon, forest, or even a cave as your wedding venue. These locations offer stunning views and natural beauty that will impress your guests and provide a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photos. For example, the Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky, offers a canopy of trees and nature for your ceremony, followed by a reception at the historic Cavern Nite Club, which boasts one of the largest cave entrances in the United States.
Sports and Activities
For an unexpected twist, choose a venue that reflects your favourite sport or activity. This could include a ski lodge, a rock-climbing wall, or even skydiving for the adventurous couple. Baseball fans can even tie the knot at the St. Louis Cardinals' Busch Stadium, with a range of wedding packages available.
Government-owned Properties and Public Spaces
Look into government-owned properties, public parks, and state capitols, as these often offer free or low-cost venue options. City halls, college campuses, and local parks are great choices for a non-traditional and affordable wedding.
Unique Locations
If you're looking for something truly unique, consider an aquarium, botanical garden, brewery, or concert hall. These venues offer a memorable experience for your guests and often include beautiful ambiance and amenities.
Private Residences and Backyards
A private residence or backyard wedding can be a wonderful and intimate option. This choice allows you to avoid the costs associated with traditional venues and gives you the flexibility to personalise your space.
When choosing a non-traditional venue, remember to consider the logistics and any hidden costs. You may need to rent tables, chairs, linens, and catering equipment, so always ask what is included with the venue and plan accordingly. With a bit of creativity and flexibility, you can find a unique and affordable venue that suits your personality and budget.
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Keep the guest list short
Keeping the guest list short is one of the most effective ways to save money when planning a wedding. The number of guests you invite will influence the size of your venue, the amount of food and drink you need to provide, and other aspects such as floral arrangements and seating.
To keep the guest list short, it's a good idea to start with an immediate name brainstorm with your partner. Begin with immediate family, then move to close friends and relatives, and continue from there. If you need to trim your list, understanding where the bulk of the guests are coming from can help. For example, if you have a large family, you could limit the number of children that your guests bring, or the number of plus-ones you allow. You could also choose to only invite close friends and family—parents, siblings, grandparents, and a handful of close friends.
Another way to keep the guest list short is to group people by household. Write out the name of each family or household member who is invited and mark the number of RSVPs you anticipate. This will help you keep track of how many will or will not come. As your planning moves along, you can add additional sections to your guest list beyond basic information, such as noting if they are out of town so you can figure out the number of rooms you will need.
Remember, the size of your guest list is entirely up to you and your partner. It can be helpful to start with a fantasy guest list of every possible person you would like to invite, and then start cutting it down. While some people will be easy to cross off, others may be more difficult. One way to make this process easier is to segment your guest list into smaller lists. You could create an ""A list" and a "B list",", or go even further by creating separate lists for coworkers, your family, your partner's family, current friends, and distant friends.
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Opt for affordable food options
Opting for affordable food options is a great way to save money when planning a wedding. Food is one of the biggest expenses when it comes to weddings, with the average wedding catering cost being around $85 per guest. Here are some ideas to keep costs down:
Choose a vegetarian or vegan menu
Meat can be expensive, so opting for a vegetarian or vegan menu can be a great way to save money. You can still have a tasty and satisfying meal without breaking the bank. Consider something like a pasta dish, such as lasagna, with a variety of vegetables, bread, and a salad.
Grazing tables and charcuterie boards
Grazing tables and charcuterie boards are a popular and affordable option, especially for smaller weddings. They offer a variety of meats, cheeses, and fruits that can be customized to accommodate different dietary restrictions and allergies. However, keep in mind that the cost of these can add up for larger weddings.
Taco bars
Taco bars are an interactive and inexpensive way to feed your guests. You can set up a DIY station where guests can add their own toppings, or have chefs prepare custom tacos in front of them.
Pizza
Pizza is a crowd-pleaser and can be a more affordable option than a formal plated meal. Consider getting pizzas from a local pizzeria or even making them yourself if you're feeling adventurous!
Limit the number of options
Instead of offering a large variety of dishes, opt for a limited menu with a few standout choices. This will help you save on costs and ensure your guests still enjoy a delicious meal.
Shop around for the best prices
Compare prices from different caterers or restaurants, and don't be afraid to negotiate. Ask about any deals or discounts they may offer, especially if you're ordering in bulk.
DIY and grocery store options
If you're handy in the kitchen, consider preparing some of the food yourself or enlisting the help of family and friends. You can also save by purchasing some items from grocery stores, such as cheese plates, mini sandwiches, dips, and ready-to-serve appetizers.
Remember, it's important to keep your guests well-fed and happy, but there's no need to break the bank. Get creative, shop around, and choose options that fit within your budget!
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Buy a second-hand dress
One of the major costs of a wedding is often the wedding dress. However, it doesn't have to be. One way to save money is to buy a second-hand dress.
A great way to find a pre-owned wedding dress is to use an online marketplace, such as Stillwhite or Nearly Newlywed. These sites offer a wide range of designer and custom-made gowns at a fraction of the retail price. Nearly Newlywed also sells wedding-related jewellery and accessories, and its authentication process ensures that you are paying for an original gown.
You could also try vintage bridal salons, such as Happy Isles, or browse vintage dress shops and consignment stores. Before you start looking for a second-hand dress, it might be worth making an appointment at a traditional wedding dress salon. This will help you learn your likes and dislikes when it comes to silhouettes and styles, so you know what to look for when shopping for a pre-owned dress.
If you're happy to upcycle a dress, you could even wear a family member's wedding dress, altered to be a little more current. This will not only save you money but also preserve a family heirloom. You could also buy a cheap dress and take it to an alteration shop or a designer, and you will likely still pay less than $2000.
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DIY decorations
Planning a wedding on a budget? DIY decorations are a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Plan and Organise:
Before you begin crafting, it's essential to have a clear vision and plan. Decide on a theme and colour scheme, and create a list of the decorations you want to make or buy. Using coordinating tones, materials, and textures will give your wedding a stylish and harmonious look. Don't be afraid to experiment with mismatched styles if you're going for an eclectic feel.
Paper Decorations and Ribbons:
Paper decorations, such as paper hearts on sticks, lining the walkways, are an affordable and adorable option. Ribbons can also add a budget-friendly, festive touch to your venue.
Flowers and Props:
For a more luxurious look, consider incorporating flowers with props. You can borrow a bicycle and add a sign with flowers in the basket for a charming entrance. Alternatively, use peacock chairs for a boho ceremony or scatter petals down the aisle for a romantic touch.
Seating Arrangements:
Instead of traditional chair rentals, try asking a local farmer to borrow rustic hay bales and add mismatched blankets for a unique and budget-friendly seating option. You can also create a cosy atmosphere by using mismatched rugs to line the aisle.
Lighting and Backdrops:
Fairy lights and festoon lights can add drama and ambiance to your venue, especially when paired with tables nestled beneath. For a simple yet effective backdrop, crescent moon backdrops are easy to make and look fantastic.
Remember, when it comes to DIY decorations, the key is to be creative, think outside the box, and don't be afraid to ask for help from your bridal party or friends. Happy crafting!
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Frequently asked questions
Think outside the box for your venue. A venue can be your biggest cost, but it doesn't have to be. You can opt for a backyard wedding, a local park, a nature reserve, or a community college.
Food is another big expense. You can save money by inviting fewer guests, choosing a venue with tables and chairs onsite, and opting for affordable food options like catering from your favourite local restaurant or grocery store cake.
The wedding dress is another major cost. You can save money by buying a second-hand dress, renting a dress, or upcycling a dress, such as altering your mother's wedding dress.
DJs are almost always less expensive than a band. You can also bring your own games, like board games or a cornhole set.
You can create your own simple DIY wedding decorations. You can also decorate your venue with items that tell your story, such as picture frames filled with memories or souvenirs from your travels.
