10 Tips to have a Beautiful Budget-Friendly Wedding
Planning a wedding on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or your vision for the day. With thoughtful planning and creative solutions, you can have a beautiful celebration without breaking the bank. From finding affordable venues to choosing DIY decor and cost-effective alternatives for flowers and food, there are many ways to keep costs low while still creating a memorable experience. The key is to prioritize what matters most to you and your partner, and find ways to save on the rest. Here are some practical tips and ideas to help you plan a stunning wedding without overspending.
1. Find a free venue
Depending on the size of your guest list, this may or may not be feasible. You could consider asking friends or family members if they have a suitable space to host the event. For example, we held our reception at my grandparents’ house. Backyard weddings have long been a timeless and popular option, offering a cozy and personal touch. Choosing a location with little to no cost can significantly reduce your overall wedding expenses, leaving more room in your budget for other priorities.
2. Silk Flowers
I used a bouquet purchased from Amazon, which was much more affordable than opting for fresh flowers. Silk flowers are a great alternative, as they often look realistic in photos and are budget-friendly. Plus, they’re easy to keep as a memento without worrying about preserving them before they wilt. While the bouquet I ordered didn’t match the advertised colors and wasn’t what I had in mind, I found a creative solution. I had also ordered several boxes of silk flowers for table decorations, so I ended up customizing my bouquet by replacing the mismatched flowers with ones that better suited my color scheme. It turned out perfectly and added a personal touch!
3. Less Invitations
Plan carefully before ordering to avoid unnecessary costs. Start by deciding exactly who you want to invite, then order only what you need, plus about 10 extra invitations for last-minute additions or mistakes. Some couples use social media to share a link for gathering addresses, which can be helpful for large guest lists. However, if you’re trying to save money, avoid asking for addresses from everyone you know just to send them an invitation—postage and printing can add up quickly. Depending on your style and vendor, invitations can range widely in price. Also, keep in mind that inviting more people increases costs for other items, like food, so be mindful of your guest list size when budgeting.
4. Don’t Serve a Full Meal
Instead of organizing a full luncheon or dinner for the reception, we opted to go out to eat after the ceremony. Since the ceremony included only our closest family and friends, our group was larger than usual but still small enough to be accommodated with a few tables near each other at a restaurant. For the reception, we kept things simple with light snacks, including a charcuterie board and an assortment of desserts, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
5. Pay for your own Alcohol
If you enjoy a drink, consider having a few bottles of alcohol for the ceremony or a small toasting session, but avoid an open bar during the reception. Alcohol can be one of the most expensive parts of a wedding, and costs can quickly spiral, especially if you have a group of friends who love to drink. Instead, offering a limited selection or a cash bar can help keep your budget in check while still ensuring everyone has a good time. You can also consider serving a signature cocktail for a more personal touch without the high costs of an open bar. Keep in mind that some venues in Oregon require a bartending license in order to bring alcohol. For a place where you can return unopened bottles, consider buying at Costco.
6. Cake
If you know someone with an at-home baking business, consider reaching out to them for your wedding desserts. I was lucky to have a friend who ran a baking business, and she agreed to make cookies and a wedding cake for the reception at a much lower price than most bakeries. Not only was everything delicious, but it also gave her an opportunity to showcase her talents and grow her business. Supporting someone you know can be a win-win for both your budget and their work!
7. Music
Instead of hiring a DJ, I created a playlist for the reception. While we didn’t end up dancing (it wasn’t our style), the playlist worked perfectly for setting the mood. If we had danced, I would have simply asked a bridesmaid or family member to switch to specific songs when needed. If your dancing is limited to special moments like the first dance or parent dances, a playlist is a simple and budget-friendly alternative to hiring a DJ.
8. Nature’s Decorations
Choosing a naturally beautiful venue is a great way to save on decorations. Keeping things simple can also make a big difference—for instance, you can purchase table arrangements from Amazon or create your own. I made my own table decorations using vases my mom had saved from her wedding, along with silk petals and cheesecloth runners for the tables. To further cut costs, we borrowed tables, chairs, and tablecloths from our church. Combining personal touches with borrowed or affordable items is an easy way to create a lovely atmosphere on a budget.
9. Less Travel
Unless you’re able to drive somewhere nearby, airline travel can quickly add up and take a big chunk out of your budget. My husband and I didn’t have family living near us, so we ended up flying across the country for our wedding. If you live near your family, though, it’s definitely worth staying local to save on travel costs. You can also plan a more expensive honeymoon later in the year when flights and accommodations are cheaper. We kept our honeymoon simple by visiting a nearby National Park, where a friend kindly loaned us their cabin for the weekend, and we plan to take a larger trip next year.
10. Thrifty Outfits
Some brides and grooms get lucky by finding the perfect dress or tie at a thrift store. It can be worth exploring local thrift shops or browsing Facebook Marketplace to see what you can find. If you plan on wearing a veil, consider looking on Amazon or other online retailers where you’ll likely find one at a much lower price than at bridal boutiques, and it will still look beautiful in photos. Thrift shopping and shopping online for accessories can be great ways to save while still getting the look you want.
Overall, it’s important to sit down with your fiancé and decide which aspects of the wedding are non-negotiable when it comes to cutting costs. For my husband and me, that meant prioritizing the photographer and our wedding attire. Once you’ve identified what matters most, figure out how much you’re willing to spend overall, and then allocate a realistic budget for the items that are important to you. Creating a wedding budget is crucial if you want to save money while still achieving the wedding of your dreams.
About the Author
I’m Kacie
Hello! I love running, embroidery, beautiful photos, and hanging out with my husband. I currently reside in Austin, Texas.
Though I do not have any background in photography, I love looking at the art that photographers create. I am so excited to be working with Kate to continue to bring joy to clients via photography!
A lover of math, I have taught in a middle school for two years and hope to continue to serve in the public education system for years to come.
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