Planning A Wedding On A Shoestring Budget

Planning a wedding can be expensive, but it is possible to have a frugal wedding by utilising your resources, such as friends, family, and the local community. While it's almost impossible to have a wedding without spending any money, there are ways to limit your out-of-pocket costs. The venue is usually the biggest expense, so consider hosting the wedding at home or asking a friend or family member if you can use their space. You can also save money on food and drinks by having a potluck-style party or catering for yourself. Other ways to save money include doing your own invitations or sending e-vites, and creating your own music playlist instead of hiring a DJ.

Venue: host it at home or ask a friend or family member to lend you their backyard

While it's impossible to have a wedding without spending any money at all, there are ways to plan a wedding that costs almost nothing. The key concept to having a frugal wedding is to utilise your resources, be it friends, family, or the local community.

The venue generally takes up the majority of any wedding budget. So, if you're looking to save money, hosting the wedding at home or asking a friend or family member to lend you their backyard (or indoor area) for the day is a great way to cut your spending in half.

If you're hosting the wedding at home, consider the following:

• How many guests can your home accommodate? If you have a large number of guests, you may need to consider alternative options, such as a friend or family member's backyard.
• Do you have enough space for the ceremony and reception? If not, you may need to consider having the ceremony and reception in separate locations.
• What are the logistics of hosting the wedding at home? Consider things like parking, bathroom facilities, and any noise restrictions.
• Are there any decorations or set-up required? You may need to do some additional planning and preparation to transform your home into a wedding venue.

If you're asking a friend or family member to lend you their backyard, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Discuss the details with them beforehand. Make sure they are comfortable with the number of guests, the duration of the event, and any other specific requirements you may have.
• Consider the logistics of the location. Is it easily accessible for your guests? Are there any noise restrictions or other neighbourhood considerations?
• Think about any additional costs that may be incurred. For example, you may need to rent tables, chairs, or a marquee if the space is outdoors.

By hosting the wedding at home or in a friend or family member's backyard, you can significantly reduce your venue costs and have more control over the details of your special day.

Food and drink: ask guests to bring a dish or drink, or meet up the day before and prepare dishes at home

It's pretty much impossible to have a wedding without spending any money at all, but there are ways to plan a wedding that costs almost nothing. The key concept to having a frugal wedding is to utilise your resources, be it friends, family or the local community.

One of the biggest costs of a wedding is the venue, so if you can host it at your home, or ask a friend or family member if you can use their space, you'll automatically cut your spending in half.

Another big cost is food and drink. You could ask your guests to bring a dish or drink each, or meet up the day before and prepare dishes at home. Alternatively, look for a local restaurant that sells catering-volume dishes and either serve everything buffet-style or arrange the food onto plates yourself. This takes down the per-dish cost to a very small amount, and you don't need to pay service costs.

You can also save money on invitations by purchasing them from an online print shop, or even making them yourself at home. If you don't want to spend any money at all, you could send e-vites.

Invitations: buy from an online print shop or make your own

If you're planning a wedding on a budget, you can save money on invitations by buying from an online print shop, such as VistaPrint or Minted. If you have a printer at home, you can also make your own invitations by purchasing some cardstock, envelopes and stamps. You can also save money by sending e-vites, which are a good option if you don't want to spend any money on invitations.

Entertainment: make your own playlist instead of hiring a DJ

While it's impossible to have a wedding without spending any money at all, there are ways to plan a wedding on a very tight budget. One of the biggest costs is the venue, so if you can host it at your home, or borrow a friend or family member's space, you'll save a lot. You can also save on food and drink by making it a potluck, where guests bring dishes, or by buying food from a local restaurant and serving it yourself.

When it comes to entertainment, you can save a lot by making your own playlist instead of hiring a DJ. All you need is a phone and some speakers. You can either create your own playlist or use a premade one from a streaming service like Spotify or Pandora. This is a great option if you're having a small wedding.

To make your own playlist, start by thinking about the vibe you want to create. Do you want upbeat music to get people dancing, or something more relaxed? You can create a mix of songs that are meaningful to you as a couple, or go with a theme, like a particular genre or era. If you're not sure where to start, try searching for wedding playlist ideas online for inspiration.

On the day, make sure your phone is fully charged and connected to the speakers. You might want to ask a friend to be in charge of the music so that you can relax and enjoy your day. They can also take requests from guests and keep an eye on the volume. If you're worried about the phone dying, consider bringing a backup, or using a laptop to play the music instead.

Budgeting: talk to your family about finances and what you can afford

It's impossible to have a wedding without spending any money at all, but there are ways to plan a wedding on a very tight budget. The key concept is to utilise your resources, be it friends, family or the local community.

Budgeting is an important part of planning a wedding, and it's crucial to talk to your family about finances and what you can afford. Be honest about your budget and what you can contribute, and ask if they are willing or able to contribute. It's important to never expect other people to offer or help to pay for your wedding, but if they are willing to contribute, you can ask them to bring a dish or drink to the wedding, or even host it at their home.

If you're having a small wedding, you can also save money by preparing some of the food yourself, either at home or by meeting up with your guests the day before. You can also save money on invitations by purchasing them from an online print shop, or even printing them yourself at home.

Frequently asked questions