Congratulations on your engagement! Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and you want everything to be perfect. But if you’re working with a tight budget, don’t worry, there are many affordable options for having a lovely and memorable wedding.
Here are some tips on how to plan a wedding on a small budget:
Table of Contents
- 1. Set a Realistic Budget
- 2. Get Married On A Weekday Or During An Off-peak Time
- 3. Have A Small Wedding
- 4. Get Married Outdoors
- 5. Get Married At A Non-traditional Venue
- 6. Have A Destination Wedding
- 7. Get Married In The Off-season
- 8. Say Yes to the Bargain Dress
- 9. Use Fake Flowers Or Floral Alternatives
- 10. Do Your Own Hair And Makeup
- 11. Have A Potluck Reception Or Ask Friends And Family To Help With Food
- 12. Buy Used Decor Or Borrow From Friends And Family
- 13. Do Your Own Wedding Photography
- 14. Have A Small Wedding Cake Or Make Your Own Cake
- 15. Honeymoon At Home Or Take A Mini-moon
- 16. Do Your Own Wedding Planning Or Ask For Help From Friends And Family
- 17. Have A Friend Tend The Bar Or Diy Your Own Drinks
- 18. Consider A Local Restaurant Instead Of A Caterer
- 19. Prioritize Your Spending
- 20. Shop Around for Vendors
- 21. DIY Where You Can
- 22. Send e-vites and Skip the Paper
- Final Thought
1. Set a Realistic Budget
The first step is to sit down with your fiance and figure out how much you can realistically afford to spend on your wedding. Once you have a number in mind, you can start making some tough decisions about where to cut costs.
2. Get Married On A Weekday Or During An Off-peak Time
Wedding costs can skyrocket during peak wedding season, so if you’re looking to save money, consider getting married during an off-peak time. Weekday weddings are becoming increasingly popular, and you can often get discounts on everything from your venue to your vendors by saying “I do” on a Tuesday instead of a Saturday.
3. Have A Small Wedding
The guest list is one of the biggest factors in determining the cost of your wedding, so if you’re looking to save money, keep your guest list small. A smaller wedding will be cheaper to cater and easier to manage, so you’ll be able to spend less and enjoy your big day more.
Having a small wedding is often one of the best ways to save money. You’ll have fewer guests to worry about, and you’ll be able to save on food, decor, and other expenses. Just be sure to invite only your closest friends and family, and you’ll be able to keep your costs down.
4. Get Married Outdoors
Outdoor weddings are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason – they’re beautiful and often much cheaper than renting a traditional indoor venue. If you’re considering an outdoor wedding, be sure to choose a location that can accommodate your guests in case of bad weather. You may also want to consider renting a tent to protect your guests from the elements.
5. Get Married At A Non-traditional Venue
One of the best ways to save money on your wedding is to ditch the traditional venue and get married somewhere else. There are a number of great non-traditional venues that can be rented for a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding venue. Just be sure to do your research and make sure the venue you choose can accommodate all your guests comfortably.
6. Have A Destination Wedding
If you’re looking for a truly unique way to save money on your wedding, consider having a destination wedding. Destination weddings can be very affordable, and you’ll often find great deals on travel and accommodations if you plan ahead. Just be sure to do your research and choose a destination that will be convenient for all your guests.
7. Get Married In The Off-season
If you’re flexible about when you get married, getting married in the off-season can be a great way to save money. Venues and vendors often have lower rates during the winter months, so you’ll be able to save a lot of money by planning your wedding for a time when demand is lower. Just be sure to start planning early so you can get the best possible deals.
8. Say Yes to the Bargain Dress
Wedding dresses can be insanely expensive, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on your gown. There are plenty of ways to find a beautiful dress without breaking the bank.
Shop at Consignment Stores or Sample Sales
You can find some amazing deals on gently-used designer gowns at consignment stores or sample sales. Just be sure to give yourself enough time to find the perfect dress. You may have to sift through a lot of less-than-stellar options before finding a hidden gem.
Buy Off the Rack
If you’re not picky about having a custom-made gown, buying off the rack can be a great way to save money. You may not find your dream dress, but you can definitely find something beautiful and affordable.
Rent a Dress
If you’re really on a tight budget, renting a dress may be your best bet. This option is becoming increasingly popular, and there are a number of companies that offer great rental gowns at a fraction of the cost of buying one.
Make Your Own Dress
If you’re handy with a needle and thread, making your own wedding dress can be a great way to save money. You can find patterns and fabric at any craft store, and there are plenty of resources online to help you along the way. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time to finish your gown – rushed sewing jobs never look good.
9. Use Fake Flowers Or Floral Alternatives
Fresh flowers can be beautiful, but they can also be very expensive. If you’re looking to save money on your wedding flowers, consider using fake flowers or alternatives like potted plants, garlands, or herbs.
You can find great deals on fake flowers at any craft store, and they’ll last longer than fresh flowers – meaning you won’t have to worry about them wilting in the heat.
10. Do Your Own Hair And Makeup
If you’re not picky about having a professional do your hair and makeup, doing it yourself can be a great way to save money on your wedding day. There are plenty of resources online that can help you get the look you want, and you can often find discounts on cosmetics if you shop around.
Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get ready on the day of your wedding – you don’t want to be rushing around at the last minute.
11. Have A Potluck Reception Or Ask Friends And Family To Help With Food
Asking your friends and family to help out with food can be a great way to save money on your reception. You can have a potluck reception, where each guest brings a dish to share, or you can ask your guests to help you with the cooking. Either way, you’ll save money on food costs by having your loved ones pitch in.
12. Buy Used Decor Or Borrow From Friends And Family
If you’re looking for ways to save money on your wedding decor, consider buying used decor or borrowing from friends and family. You can often find great deals on gently used wedding decor at consignment shops or online, and you’ll save a lot of money by not having to buy everything new. Borrowing from friends and family is also a great way to save money, just be sure to return everything in good condition after your wedding.
13. Do Your Own Wedding Photography
Wedding photography can be very expensive, but you can save a lot of money by doing it yourself or asking a friend or family member to help. There are plenty of resources available online that can help you get started, and you’ll be able to save a lot of money by not having to hire a professional photographer. Just be sure to practice before the big day so you can get the best possible results!
14. Have A Small Wedding Cake Or Make Your Own Cake
The cost of a wedding cake can add up quickly, but you can save money by having a small wedding cake or making your own cake. A small wedding cake will still be big enough to feed all your guests, and you can often find great deals on wedding cake supplies if you shop around. If you’re feeling extra thrifty, you can even make your own cake – there are plenty of recipes available online that are easy to follow.
15. Honeymoon At Home Or Take A Mini-moon
Honeymoons can be very expensive, but you can save a lot of money by staying close to home or taking a mini-moon. There are plenty of great things to do close to home, and you’ll often find great deals on travel and accommodations if you plan ahead.
If you’re willing to sacrifice a little bit of time, you can even take a mini-moon – a short honeymoon close to home that will still be special and romantic.
16. Do Your Own Wedding Planning Or Ask For Help From Friends And Family
If you’re willing to put in the work, doing your own wedding planning can be a great way to save money. There are plenty of resources available online and in books that can help you get started, and you’ll be able to save a lot of money by not having to hire a professional planner.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can always ask for help from friends and family. They’ll be happy to pitch in and help you make your wedding day special.
17. Have A Friend Tend The Bar Or Diy Your Own Drinks
A professional bartender can be a great addition to any wedding, but you can save a lot of money by having a friend tend the bar or making your own drinks.
If you make your own drinks, you’ll be able to control the quality and the cost, and you’ll often find great deals on alcohol if you shop around. Just be sure to have a few non-alcoholic options available for your guests who don’t drink.
18. Consider A Local Restaurant Instead Of A Caterer
Caterers can be very expensive, but you can stick to your budget by considering a local restaurant instead. Local restaurants often cheaper on food, but the taste is good. If you’re feeling extra thrifty, you can even ask friends and family to help with the food – they’ll be happy to pitch in and help you save money.
19. Prioritize Your Spending
After you’ve set your budget, it’s time to start thinking about where you want to spend your money. Make a list of your must-haves and nice-to-haves, and be realistic about what you can live without.
20. Shop Around for Vendors
Don’t just go with the first vendor you find – take the time to shop around and compare prices. You may be surprised at how much you can save by being a savvy shopper.
21. DIY Where You Can
There are plenty of things you can do yourself to save money on your wedding. From invitations to decorations, there are countless ways to get creative and save some cash.
22. Send e-vites and Skip the Paper
One of the easiest ways to save money on your wedding is to ditch the paper invitations and send e-vites instead. There are a number of great online invitation sites that allow you to design and send beautiful invitations for free – or for a very small fee. Plus, you’ll save money on postage by sending your invitations electronically.
Final Thought
These are just a few of the many ways you can save money on your wedding day. By being creative and thinking outside the box, you can have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank. So start planning today, and you’ll be sure to save big on your big day.