Budget Weddings: Creative Ways To Have Fun And Save

Planning a wedding on a budget can be stressful, but it is possible to have a fun and memorable celebration without breaking the bank. The first step is to figure out who is contributing financially to the wedding and set a budget accordingly. It is also important to prioritize what is important to you and your partner, whether that be music, food, or photography, and allocate funds accordingly.

One of the biggest expenses is often the venue, so consider a backyard wedding, a local park, or a village hall. Destination weddings and Saturday weddings tend to be more expensive, so a mid-week ceremony may help cut costs. Instead of a formal wedding planner, create a checklist with your partner and enlist the help of friends and family.

To save on food and beverage costs, opt for a food truck or a self-serve open bar, or ask foodie friends to help with catering instead of giving gifts. Keep the guest list small and send digital invitations to reduce costs. For decorations, string lights and greenery create a relaxed atmosphere, while buying flowers in bulk or from a local flower market can also keep expenses down.

There are many ways to plan a fun and budget-friendly wedding with a little creativity and flexibility!

Choose a backyard wedding

Hosting a wedding in your backyard or a loved one's backyard is a great way to save money on your special day. It's a great option if you're looking for an intimate and relaxed atmosphere for your wedding. Here are some tips to help you plan a fun and budget-friendly backyard wedding:

• Save on venue costs: The cost of renting a venue is usually a significant expense for weddings. By choosing a backyard wedding, you can eliminate this cost and use the money for other aspects of your wedding or even for home improvements.
• Personalise your space: Decorate the backyard to match your wedding theme and style. You can do this by adding string lights, greenery, and other decorations. You can also involve your family and friends in the process, making it a fun DIY project.
• Consider the practicalities: Ensure that the backyard has enough space for your guest list and that there is a suitable area for dining and dancing. If not, you may need to rent a tent or additional furniture, which can increase costs.
• Create a comfortable atmosphere: Think about ways to make your guests feel comfortable. For example, you could offer complimentary flip-flops for those wearing uncomfortable shoes or provide mosquito sticks, candles, or spray to keep bugs at bay.
• Get creative with food and drinks: Catering for a backyard wedding can be more flexible and affordable. Consider hiring a food truck, creating a DIY buffet, or even grilling your own food. For drinks, you can set up a self-serve open bar with drinks purchased from wholesale clubs.
• Entertainment: Create a fun playlist or ask a friend to be the DJ for the night. You can also set up lawn games or a photobooth for your guests to enjoy.
• Photography: Ask a friend who enjoys photography to capture your special moments, or look for an affordable local photographer.
• Rentals: Determine what items you need to rent, such as tables, chairs, linens, and tents. Shop around for the best prices, and consider buying some items second-hand or from wholesale stores.
• Keep the guest list small: A smaller guest list will help you save on costs such as food, drinks, and rentals. It also allows for a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere.
• Skip the wedding planner: Planning a backyard wedding yourself can save you a significant amount of money. However, if you feel overwhelmed, consider hiring a day-of coordinator to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Opt for a small guest list

Opting for a small guest list is one of the most effective ways to lower your wedding costs. Here are some tips to help you stick to a small guest list:

Make your wedding adults-only

While some venues and caterers offer kids' food and drinks at a reduced rate, you still have to factor children into your final headcount. If you have a large family, keeping the kids at home can make a significant difference. If you feel bad about implementing this rule, you can invite kids to your engagement party or rehearsal dinner, or organise a babysitter to watch them during the wedding.

Limit plus-ones

An easy way to keep your guest list small is to limit plus-ones. You can choose to give plus-ones exclusively to loved ones in long-term relationships, and kindly explain to other guests that it was a space or financial issue, or simply your preference. Be prepared for potential pushback, as some guests may request or ask about plus-ones.

Only invite immediate family members

Consider how many branches are in your family tree. If you come from a large family, you may need to limit your guest list to immediate family members, or first aunts, uncles, and cousins. If you're going even smaller, stick to your parents, siblings, and grandparents.

Keep it to your close friend circle

Co-workers, old acquaintances, and friends-of-friends don't need to be on your guest list. If you've lost touch or had a falling out with someone, they don't require an invite. Ask yourself: will not inviting them negatively impact your friendship? Do you care? If the answer is no, don't add them to the list. If you're unsure, put them on a B-list to reconsider once you've finalised the rest of your list.

Keep your final list private

Once you've decided on your guest list, keep it between you and your partner. Sharing it with family and friends may lead to pressure to invite more people, especially if your list is small. If you do show your list to others, set boundaries and let them know that your list is final.

Try not to overthink anyone's reaction

At the end of the day, you're not obligated to invite anyone. If you're not thrilled at the thought of someone being at your wedding, they don't need to be there. Chances are, if you're not close, they won't be offended.

Reach out to anyone who feels snubbed

If anyone ends up feeling snubbed, reassure them that it's nothing personal—you simply had to consider your budget or venue capacity. Sticking to a small guest list may seem difficult, but it's achievable if you approach the situation with poise and explain your preferences to your loved ones.

Send digital invites

Digital wedding invitations are a great way to save money and stay eco-friendly. You can find many websites that offer customizable templates for digital invites. Some of the most popular ones are Paperless Post, Studiocreativethings, and Minted.

Paperless Post

Paperless Post offers a range of customizable online wedding invitation templates. You can choose from various design styles, including classic, floral, modern, and rustic. They also allow you to add your personal touch by uploading engagement photos, monograms, and custom stamps. You can send invitations via email, text, or a shareable link, making it convenient for your guests.

Studiocreativethings

Studiocreativethings offers electronic wedding invitations with a contemporary charm. They have a wide range of creative digital designs to complement your wedding theme. You can edit and customize the invitations online and send them effortlessly to your guests.

Minted

Minted provides a free wedding planning journal and a wedding planning checklist to help you stay organized. They offer a range of wedding stationery, including digital invitations, with advanced customization tools. You can also consult their stationery experts for free to guide you through the process.

Benefits of Digital Invites

Digital invitations are not only cost-effective but also offer other advantages. They are more convenient and faster to send, especially if you have a tight schedule. You can easily track RSVPs and manage your guest list. Additionally, digital invites are environmentally friendly, reducing paper waste.

Tips for Digital Invites

• Choose a design that reflects your wedding theme and style.
• Include all the necessary information, such as reception details, dress code guidance, and plus-one policy.
• Consider adding personal touches like engagement photos or a custom message.
• Use a user-friendly platform or website that offers easy customization and RSVP tracking.
• Send the invitations with enough time for your guests to plan their attendance, especially for destination weddings.

Digital invitations are a great way to save money and stay organized while planning your budget wedding. With the right tools and creative designs, you can make your invitations unique and memorable.

Hire a food truck

Food trucks are a fun, unique, and cost-effective way to cater to your wedding guests. They offer a wide range of food and drink options, from seafood and ramen to grilled cheese and ice cream. They can also be a great interactive experience for your guests, and they create an Instagram-worthy photo opportunity.

Pros of Hiring a Food Truck

Food trucks are a convenient and affordable option for wedding catering. They are often cheaper than traditional catering services, ranging from $10 to $35 per person, or $1,000 to $3,500 for a 100-person wedding. They are also flexible and can serve a variety of cuisines, including Italian, Mexican, Korean BBQ, and more.

Cons of Hiring a Food Truck

When hiring a food truck, it's important to keep in mind that they may not provide the same level of service as a full-service caterer. You may need to provide your own tables, chairs, glassware, plates, and utensils, and hire additional staff for set-up, bussing, and clean-up. Food trucks may also have limitations on the number of guests they can serve, and they may not be able to provide a full meal for everyone.

Tips for Hiring a Food Truck for Your Wedding

• Check with your venue to see if they allow food trucks and if there are any specific rules or requirements.
• Start planning your menu and booking your food truck at least five to six months in advance, especially if you want a popular option like an ice cream truck for a summer wedding.
• Be aware of the food truck's limitations, such as the number of guests they can serve and whether they offer full meals or just snacks.
• Ask the food truck what is included in their service, such as disposable serving ware, and discuss any upgrades you may want, such as nicer plates and cutlery.
• Work with your wedding planner to ensure you have the necessary staff and rentals to support the food truck.
• Consider hiring more than one food truck if you have a large number of guests or want to offer a variety of food options.
• Discuss the parking logistics for the food truck with your venue, and make sure there is adequate ventilation if they will be parked indoors.
• Create a rain plan if you are having an outdoor wedding, including a pop-up tent or alternative indoor location for the food truck.
• Avoid long lines by providing passed hors d'oeuvres or snack stations in addition to the food truck, especially if you have a large number of guests.

Food Truck Ideas for Your Wedding

• Seafood: Shuck Food Truck offers New England-inspired fare like lobster bisque and clam chowder, along with fresh oysters and clams.
• Belgian Waffles: Wafels & Dinges serves up sweet and savory waffles with toppings like strawberries and ice cream.
• Ramen: Shake Ramen in Los Angeles offers interactive, to-go ramen cups with mix-ins.
• Self-Serve Champagne Truck: Get Cozy provides vintage mobile bars that add a stylish touch to your wedding.
• Creative Fusion Food: Kogi Food Truck blends Korean BBQ and Mexican cuisine, offering unique twists on classics like kimchi quesadillas and short rib tacos.
• DIY Personal Pizzas: Stoked Pizza Co. features a mobile wood-fired oven and flexible options for dietary needs.
• Street Tacos: Border Grill elevates street tacos with fresh, organic ingredients and impressive meat or seafood options.
• Cocktail Caravan: The Tom Collins Caravan Bar serves classic cocktails with a stylish backdrop for photos.

Hiring a food truck for your wedding can be a fun and memorable experience for you and your guests, offering a unique twist on traditional wedding catering. Just be sure to plan ahead and coordinate with your venue and other vendors to ensure a smooth and enjoyable event.

Create your own playlist

Music is an integral part of any wedding, and creating your own playlist is a fun and budget-friendly way to ensure you and your guests have a great time. Here are some tips to help you create the perfect playlist for your big day:

Choose a Music Streaming Platform:

Select a music streaming platform such as Spotify, Apple Music, or any other service you prefer. This will be your go-to source for all the songs you want to include in your playlist.

Determine Your Music Taste:

Think about the type of music you and your partner enjoy. Consider creating a mix of songs that reflect your tastes, including any special songs that hold a meaningful place in your relationship. You can also take requests from your wedding party or guests to incorporate their favorites.

Create a Balanced Mix:

Variety is key to a successful wedding playlist. Include a mix of fast and slow songs to cater to different tastes and energy levels throughout the event. Think about the flow of the wedding and how you want the music to complement each moment, from the ceremony to the reception.

Consider Special Moments:

Think about any special moments during the wedding where you might want specific songs. For example, you may want a particular song for your first dance as a married couple or a fun tune for the bouquet toss. Choose songs that hold a special meaning for those moments.

Take Requests:

While it's your wedding, involving your guests can make the event more interactive and enjoyable for everyone. Consider taking song requests from your guests, especially those who will be in attendance. This can be done ahead of time through your wedding website or on the day itself using request cards.

Test and Refine:

Once you've created your initial playlist, test it out and make sure the songs flow well together. Leave room for flexibility, as you may want to make changes or additions closer to the wedding day. Ask for feedback from your partner, wedding party, or close friends to get their thoughts on the song selection.

Remember, your wedding playlist should ultimately reflect your personality and taste. Have fun with the process, and don't be afraid to get creative. Happy planning!

Frequently asked questions