How To Create A Beautiful Budget-friendly Wedding

Are wedding bells ringing in your future? If your significant other popped the question recently, it’s time to start thinking about your wedding day. Today, the average cost of a wedding is approximately $35,000. That’s a good chunk of change that you either may not have or would rather put towards other future goals, like a home together. Good news, you can still have a beautiful wedding while sticking to a budget that fits your wallet.

It Starts With A Budget

Like most big purchases, you need a budget, even for your wedding day. Wedding days consist of many factors like venue, music, tuxes/dresses, food, and more. Sit down with your partner and determine what’s important for your big day and start creating a budget from there.

Venues

Where do you see your big day? In a rustic barn surrounded by nature? In the church you grew up at? In a beautiful event center with twinkly lights? Where you get married is step one. Choosing a date is the next step.

Budget-friendly Option: Get married on an “odd” day

Saturday is the most popular day to get married, and there are only 52 Saturdays in a year to choose from. Since the demand is high for this one day of the week, usually the venue price is high as well. If you are okay with getting married on any day that ends with ‘y’ then see if you can save money by getting married on another day, like Friday, Sunday, or even a Monday! You still get your dream venue at a cheaper price.

Music

Music sets the mood for your wedding. Do you want a DJ so you can listen to your favorite tunes by your favorite artists, or is there a live band you would prefer? Having a DJ or band helps keep the festivities of your day moving.

Budget-friendly Option: Rent a speaker

While having a DJ or band provide the music is convenient, you can make the music personal by asking your partner to help you create a playlist. Then, rent a speaker system that is easy to set up. Bam! You have music that everyone can hear. Just ask a friend to help you pause it for the big moments like cutting the cake and flipping to the correct songs if you want a first dance.

Food – Including Beverages & Dessert

The big thing your guests will look forward to (besides your grand moment of becoming husband and wife) is food. Delicious food will fuel everyone for the night and keep the celebration going! But… there are many things to remember when it comes to food. Do you want a buffet or service per plate? What kind of drinks – coffee, soda, alcohol, etc? What’s for dessert? All of that adds up fast.

Budget-friendly Option: Keep it simple

Not every guest needs a cocktail hour, paired with a filet mignon, and dessert options can vary from a slice of cake to a cookie, brownie, or pie. Keep it simple. Focus on the foods you want.

  • Do a coffee bar instead of providing an open bar – or just stick to good ole soda, lemonade, and water
  • Cut out the cocktail hour – it’s to keep people “entertained” while you take after-ceremony pictures, but isn’t necessary
  • Opt for cookies for guests instead of a slice of cake – if you still want the “cutting the cake” moment, order a small, intimate cake for you and your partner
  • Buffet is usually cheaper than having a catering company plate everyone’s dinner
  • Choose an “easy” but delicious meal – instead of steak, opt for a taco bar!

There are many ways to keep food costs down for your wedding and flexibility is key.

Photographer

One or two cameras? Should you get a videographer as well? Capturing your big day is a mjor expense; these are memories you will look back on forever. So, is it worth the extra money to get a pricey package for premium service? Many wedding photographers have their services divided into tiers to hit different price points. It’s up to you to determine which fits your budget!

Budget-friendly Option: Ask a friend

Do you have a friend who is just starting to break into the photography business? Let their talent shine and create a mutually beneficial deal. You get discounted photography services and they can build their portfolio for future clients. This is pretty common for beginner photographers who are looking for ways into the wedding industry.

Or, skip hiring a professional photographer all together. Instead, task your guests to take pictures. You get to see the day through their lenses - in a ime when many wedding have gone phone-free, this can be a unique way to let your loved ones captures you moments the way they see them.

The Details

While all of the above adds up fast, so do the details. From the dress to the alterations to the accessories to the flowers, even the bridal party gifts and the centerpieces, there are plenty of details to cover in your wedding. While your big day is in the details, don’t overdo it.

Budget-friendly Options

  • Buy a white prom dress instead of a wedding dress - or go bold with a entirely different color!
  • Ask a friend with sewing talent to alter your wedding dress
  • Curate bouquets from fake flowers instead of real ones
  • Keep bridal gifts simple, such as making heartwarming gifts yourself
  • Shop centerpieces from previous wedding parties – available on Facebook Marketplace and garage sales!

How To Stick With It

Once you create your budget and determine what you want to stand out that day, it’s time to get to the real work: paying for it. It’s really easy to get caught up in spending a little more here and there to get extra “shinies” for your special day, but that’s why it is important to stick to your budget!

When it comes right down to it, you are the only person who knows what is important to you on your big day. If you really want to have two photographers at your wedding, find other ways to cut expenses your budget and spend less in other ways. Or, pick up a second job. At the end of the day, starting on the right foot financially and festively is what is important.