Wedding on a Small Budget

Limiting your guest count is the quickest and easiest way to save on your wedding, since food and alcohol costs per person add up quick. Other ideas to save money: purchase a pre-owned or sample sale dress (these are often new with tags), skip wedding favors, limit the number of people in your wedding party (fewer people to buy thank you gifts for, fewer people to pay for at the rehearsal dinner, etc), ask a family member or friend to officiate (saves the cost of booking an officiant), check with a local college for photography or videography students to take photos or video of your wedding, avoid purchasing a lot of signs (these are often unnecessary and used once), limit the number of flowers for your wedding (flowers can be costly, and DIY centerpieces are usually much cheaper), search on Facebook wedding resale groups for your area to find gently used or new decor for sale cheaper than new, and consider non-traditional venues that may be cheaper than traditional venues.

Best way to cut the budget is to have a small guest list. Next idea would be to have a brunch or lunch reception.

You may also want to consider no alcohol at all and no children. Is it necessary to have a video? Maybe that can be excluded. Silk or Solawood flowers over real. Not exchanging wedding gifts with your spouse may also reduce costs. Hope all goes well!

View Quoted Comment

Well, we have Children ourselves and it is a kid-friendly wedding, so kids will be there. We don't drink--I've been sober 16 years in November and my fiance never touched the stuff.

We are doing the flowers our selves, the food ourselves, buddy is doing the photography for a fraction of the price. Bestie is the officiant. Is it bad that I'm debating about doing the cake myself??

If I can cut corners, I will in a heartbeat. Definitely relooking at the guest list again. I don't think we will have as many as expected. Maybe half of the original number.

View Quoted Comment

Already thought of doing a Sunday morning ceremony with a brunch family style meal, but got changed to a Thursday night Taco Night. Prices got slashed by nearly 2/3rds. Get married on a Monday or Thursday night, seriously...

View Quoted Comment

Not doing the rehearsal dinner stuff; the wedding party is basically just the family and a couple of close friends, but no one is actually standing up with us.

I'm doing all the flowers and the food, I'm debating if I should do the cake too, but that's not a go yet.

Looking at DIY venues right now, where all they supply are the basic tables and chairs and maybe a kitchen/dinette area to set up hot plates or warmers.

I never thought of going to Facebook marketplace! Thanks! Definitely will go check them out.

A big saver for us was going with foam flowers from Ling's Moment. We bought them on Black Friday and got everything for under $1,000. Florist quotes started at $4,000. We're doing a full bar, but we're buying our own alcohol instead of having it bought by a third party, which saves money.

View Quoted Comment

Well, I am glad than I am not going with a florist--got all the flowers from Walmart and Amazon, Christmas sale as they are Christmas trees and poinsettias. Found 2.5 foot trees and a whole bunch of poinsettia plants on sale for 70% off and we're just going to do that, as Christmastime will be less than 2 weeks out...plus our colors are red and gold, and green is our favorite color, so, why not? Work with the season you're in.

View Quoted Comment

Nice! It's more eco friendly too which is a plus for me.

View Quoted Comment I'm really glad you've already taken the steps to reduce expenses. Congratulations on your sobriety! Best of luck.

I am not DIY, but I am a big fan of reusing, borrowing, or renting when it comes to fashion, decor, or even furniture. None of it has to be brand new. Whatever spin you give it will still be unique to you, your spouse, and your wedding. If you self-cater, rental companies can even provide chafing dishes and sternos. I've seen tik tok hacks for keeping cold dishes in coolers. Grocery sheet cake is always delicious! Ann's Bridal has the most affordable invitation suites, or you can buy an invitation template and print at Staples/ Office Depot. Best wishes, Bride!

View Quoted Comment

Try the local grocery store or costco for a cake. You can dress it up yourself with flowers!

View Quoted Comment

I did my invitations on Canva. Had them printed I think they were around 65 cents an invitation. Or you could print them yourself for free. Or go digital!