How We Had a Beautiful Wedding for Under $5,000
My partner and I had our dream wedding for under five thousand dollars by prioritizing what mattered to us. We chose a public park for our ceremony, which cost only a small permit fee. We held our reception at a local restaurant’s private room, which eliminated the need for separate catering and rental costs. We used a Spotify playlist instead of a DJ. Our biggest splurge was on a good photographer because photos were important to us. By being ruthless about cutting costs on things that didn’t matter, we could afford the things that did.
The #1 Wedding Expense That’s a Complete Waste of Money
The biggest waste of money at a wedding is often elaborate, expensive wedding favors. My friend spent over five hundred dollars on personalized candles for each of her 150 guests. At the end of the night, she saw that over half of them had been left on the tables. Guests are often traveling and don’t want another item to pack. A simple, edible favor like a small bag of cookies, or even just a heartfelt thank you note, is far more appreciated and a fraction of the cost.
I Bought My Wedding Dress on Amazon for $150. No Regrets.
I couldn’t stomach the thought of spending thousands on a dress I’d wear for one day. I took a risk and ordered my wedding dress from a highly-rated seller on Amazon for one hundred fifty dollars. I read the reviews carefully and took my measurements precisely. When it arrived, I was shocked. The quality was great, and it fit almost perfectly. I spent an additional fifty dollars to have a local tailor make a few small adjustments. I had a beautiful dress that I loved, and I saved thousands of dollars.
How to Negotiate With Every Single Wedding Vendor
Negotiating with wedding vendors is possible if you are polite and flexible. When we booked our photographer, we asked, “Our budget is a little lower than your package price. Is there any flexibility? For example, could we have you for six hours instead of eight to bring the cost down?” This showed we valued their work but had a real budget. For our venue, we asked if the price would be lower if we chose a Friday instead of a Saturday. By being willing to compromise, we were able to get discounts from almost every vendor.
The “Non-Traditional” Wedding Venues That Are Secretly Cheap
The key to a cheap wedding venue is to think outside the traditional wedding hall. My friends had a beautiful wedding at a local brewery. The rental fee was low because the brewery makes most of its money from selling beer. Other great, affordable options include public parks, community centers, and even restaurants with private rooms. These venues often have more character and flexibility than a traditional “wedding factory,” and they can save you thousands of dollars in rental fees.
DIY Wedding Invitations That Don’t Look DIY
You can create beautiful, professional-looking wedding invitations yourself. I used Canva, a free online design tool, to design our entire invitation suite. They have thousands of beautiful templates. I then had them printed at a local print shop on heavy cardstock, which cost about one hundred dollars for 100 invitations. The result was a high-quality, custom invitation that looked like it cost five hundred dollars or more. The key is to use a good template and invest in high-quality paper.
How to Cater Your Wedding for a Fraction of the Cost
Traditional catering can be the biggest wedding expense. We saved thousands by hiring our favorite local taco truck to cater our wedding. The cost was about twenty dollars per person, compared to the one hundred dollars per person quoted by traditional caterers. The food was delicious, fun, and a huge hit with our guests. Other affordable options include having a local BBQ restaurant deliver food buffet-style or even organizing a well-structured potluck with your family and friends.
The Best Affordable Alternatives to a Diamond Engagement Ring
An engagement ring doesn’t have to be a diamond. My fiancé and I chose a moissanite for my ring. It’s a lab-created gemstone that is nearly as hard as a diamond and has even more sparkle, for about one-tenth of the cost. A beautiful, one-carat moissanite ring can cost less than one thousand dollars, while a similar diamond would be closer to ten thousand dollars. Other beautiful and affordable alternatives include white sapphires, morganite, or even just a simple, elegant gold band.
I Asked a Wedding Planner for Her Top Budget-Saving Secrets
I asked a wedding planner for her best budget tips. Her number one secret was to reduce your guest list. Every guest adds to the cost of food, drinks, and rentals. Her second tip was to choose a venue that allows you to bring your own alcohol, as the venue markup on drinks is huge. Finally, she said to prioritize the top three things that matter most to you (like food, music, and photos) and be ruthless about cutting costs on everything else.
The Truth About “All-Inclusive” Wedding Packages
All-inclusive wedding packages seem simple, but they often have hidden costs and limit your choices. My friend chose an “all-inclusive” venue. While it included the food and tables, she was required to use their expensive in-house florist and DJ. Upgrades, like better chairs or a premium bar, came with huge extra fees. The final bill was much higher than the initial “all-inclusive” price. It’s often cheaper and gives you more control to book a venue and choose your own vendors separately.
How to Have a Gorgeous Wedding with Fake Flowers
You can have beautiful wedding flowers for a fraction of the price by using high-quality artificial ones. I ordered my bouquets and centerpieces from a seller on Etsy who specializes in realistic-looking silk flowers. They were stunning, and no one could tell they weren’t real. The best part? The total cost was about three hundred dollars, compared to the two thousand dollars we were quoted for fresh flowers. Plus, I now have my wedding bouquet as a permanent keepsake.
The Best Affordable Wedding Websites and Registries
You don’t need to pay for a wedding website. Services like The Knot and Zola offer beautiful, customizable wedding websites for free. We used Zola. It allowed us to share all our wedding details, collect RSVPs online, and create a universal registry. With a universal registry, we could add gifts from any store on the internet, not just one. We also added a “cash fund” for our honeymoon. It was a simple, free, and incredibly useful tool for managing our wedding.
How to Save Money on Your Wedding Photographer
You can save on photography without sacrificing quality. The key is to focus on hours of coverage. We found a photographer we loved, but her full-day package was out of our budget. We asked if she offered a smaller package. We hired her for just four hours to cover the ceremony, family portraits, and the beginning of the reception. This captured all the most important moments for about half the cost of an eight-hour package. Another option is to find a talented, up-and-coming photographer who is still building their portfolio and has lower rates.
The Case for a “Courthouse” Wedding (And a Big Party Later)
A courthouse wedding can be the most financially savvy and low-stress option. My partner and I went to city hall with our immediate families and got legally married. The ceremony was simple, intimate, and cost less than one hundred dollars. A few months later, we hosted a casual, fun backyard party to celebrate with all our friends and family. This approach allowed us to separate the legal act of marriage from the financial pressure of a traditional wedding, and we wouldn’t have changed a thing.
The Best Affordable Bridesmaid Dresses
Finding affordable bridesmaid dresses is easy if you are flexible. Instead of requiring everyone to buy the exact same expensive dress, I chose a color (like navy blue) and a fabric (like chiffon) and let my bridesmaids choose their own dress in that style. This allowed them to pick a dress that fit their body type and their budget. Many of them found beautiful options for under one hundred dollars from online retailers like Lulus or Azazie. The result was a cohesive but not “matchy-matchy” look.
How to DIY Your Own Wedding Bar
You can save thousands by creating your own wedding bar. We chose a venue that allowed us to bring our own alcohol. We bought beer and wine in bulk from a warehouse store like Costco. To keep it simple, we offered just beer, wine, and one “signature cocktail” that we could make in a large batch ahead of time. We hired a certified bartender for a few hundred dollars to serve the drinks and ensure safety. The total cost was a fraction of what an open bar through a caterer would have been.
The Best Times of Year and Days of the Week for a Cheaper Wedding
The easiest way to save money on a wedding is to avoid a Saturday in June. Venues and vendors often have different pricing for different times. We chose to have our wedding on a Friday in November. Because it was the “off-season” and not a Saturday, our venue offered us a 20% discount. Many of our other vendors also offered lower rates. This simple scheduling choice saved us thousands of dollars without changing the quality of our wedding at all.
How to Plan a Potluck Wedding That’s Still Elegant
A potluck wedding can be elegant with good organization. My friends did this beautifully. On their invitation, they requested that guests bring a favorite dish in lieu of a gift. They used a free online sign-up sheet to coordinate what people were bringing, ensuring a good variety. To make it feel elevated, they rented nice plates and cutlery. They also hired a couple of people to manage the buffet table, keeping it clean and replenished. It felt like a giant, loving, community feast, not a chaotic free-for-all.
The Best Affordable Groomsmen Attire
Renting a tuxedo can still be expensive. For our wedding, we wanted a more modern, affordable look for the groomsmen. We had them all buy the same pair of navy blue trousers and a white shirt from an affordable retailer like J.Crew Factory or Old Navy. We then gifted them a matching tie and suspenders. They looked sharp and cohesive, and they now own a pair of versatile pants they can wear again. The total cost per person was less than one hundred dollars, much cheaper than a rental.
How to Create a Wedding Budget That You’ll Actually Stick To
To create a wedding budget you’ll stick to, you must prioritize. My partner and I sat down and each chose our top three most important wedding elements. For me, it was photography and good food. For him, it was having an open bar. We agreed to allocate a larger portion of our budget to these six items. For everything else, we were committed to finding the cheapest possible option. This “priority” system gave us a clear roadmap and made it easy to make spending decisions.
I Did My Own Wedding Makeup. Here’s How.
I saved hundreds of dollars by doing my own wedding makeup. I am not a makeup artist, but I am good at following instructions. I watched hours of bridal makeup tutorials on YouTube from professional artists. I then bought a few high-quality, long-lasting “splurge” products, like foundation and setting spray. I practiced the look several times in the weeks leading up to the wedding. On the day of, I felt calm and confident, and I was so happy with the natural, “me-but-better” result.
The Best Affordable Honeymoon Destinations
A beautiful honeymoon doesn’t have to be in an expensive destination like Bora Bora. My husband and I went to Mexico for our honeymoon. We stayed in a small, boutique hotel instead of a massive resort. The total cost for a week of incredible food, beautiful beaches, and cultural exploration was less than two thousand dollars. Other great, affordable destinations include Portugal, Vietnam, or even a road trip through the national parks in the U.S. It’s about finding a place with a lower cost of living where your money goes further.
How to Politely Say “No Gifts, Just Your Presence”
To politely request no gifts, the best place to put it is on your wedding website, not the invitation itself. On our website’s FAQ page, we had a question that said, “What is your gift policy?” Our answer was, “Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. We have everything we need, so please, no gifts. However, if you feel so inclined, we will have a box for cards at the reception.” This wording is gracious, clear, and gives guests an option if they are insistent on giving something.
The Best Affordable Wedding Favors Guests Actually Want
The best wedding favors are edible and personal. For our wedding, we made small bags of our favorite local coffee beans. The total cost was less than two dollars per guest. Our guests loved it because it was a consumable, useful item that represented us as a couple. Other great ideas include small jars of local honey, bags of popcorn with a custom sticker, or freshly baked cookies. Guests appreciate a simple, delicious treat much more than a personalized trinket they will likely throw away.
How to Rent Your Wedding Decor Instead of Buying It
Renting wedding decor is a smart financial move. I wanted beautiful linens and centerpiece vases, but buying them would have cost a fortune. I found a local event rental company. I was able to rent high-quality tablecloths, cloth napkins, and all my vases for a fraction of the cost of purchasing them. At the end of the night, I just had to return them. I didn’t have to worry about cleaning them or trying to resell 15 tablecloths on Facebook Marketplace.
The Best Spotify Playlists to Replace a Wedding DJ
A wedding DJ can cost over one thousand dollars. We saved that money by creating our own playlists on Spotify. We made several different playlists for each part of the day: a mellow one for the cocktail hour, an upbeat one for dinner, and a high-energy dance playlist with all our favorite hits. We asked for song requests on our RSVP card to make sure our guests would hear music they loved. We just had to ask a friend to be in charge of hitting “play” at the right times.
How to Plan a Surprise Party on a Budget
Planning a surprise party on a budget is all about focusing on the “surprise” and the people. For my mom’s 60th birthday, I hosted it at my home to save on a venue rental. I asked guests to each bring a dish to share, potluck-style, which covered the food. The main “cost” was my time spent coordinating with all the guests to ensure the surprise wasn’t spoiled. The decorations were simple balloons and a homemade banner. The joy and shock on my mom’s face were priceless and had nothing to do with how much money was spent.
The Best Affordable Options for a Bachelorette Party
A bachelorette party doesn’t have to be an expensive trip to Vegas. For my bachelorette party, my friends and I rented a cabin in a nearby state park for a weekend. We cooked all our own meals, went hiking, and played games. The total cost per person for the entire weekend was about one hundred fifty dollars. Other affordable ideas include a local wine tasting tour, a spa day at home, or a fun cooking class. The goal is to celebrate with your friends, not to go into debt.
How to Throw a Baby Shower for Under $200
You can throw a beautiful baby shower for under two hundred dollars. My sister hosted mine at her home. For decorations, we used simple streamers and balloons. The main activity was a “decorate a onesie” station, where guests could create a personalized gift for the baby. For food, we served a simple spread of finger sandwiches, a fruit salad, and a homemade cake. It was a sweet, intimate celebration focused on the baby, not on extravagant decorations or expensive catering.
The Best Affordable Graduation Party Ideas
The best affordable graduation party idea is a casual, “open house” style party in your backyard. We did this for my brother’s high school graduation. We grilled burgers and hot dogs, and asked family members to each bring a side dish or a dessert. This kept the food costs low. We set up some lawn games. People could come and go as they pleased over a few hours. It was a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere that didn’t require a venue rental or expensive catering.
I Used a “Day-Of” Coordinator and It Was the Best Money I Spent
While we planned our wedding on a tight budget, the one “splurge” we made was hiring a “day-of” coordinator. It cost about one thousand dollars. She didn’t plan the wedding, but she took over all the logistics in the final month. On the day of the wedding, she managed all the vendors, kept everything on schedule, and handled any small problems that arose. This allowed my partner, my family, and me to be fully present and enjoy the day without any stress. It was the best money we spent.
How to Find Affordable Live Music for an Event
Affordable live music can add a special touch to an event. Instead of a full band, we hired a talented student duo from a local university’s music school to play acoustic guitar during our wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. They were professional and sounded amazing, and their rate was a fraction of what an established wedding band would charge. Another great option is to look for up-and-coming local artists at open mic nights. Many are happy to play a private event for a reasonable fee.
The Best Ways to Use Credit Card Points for Your Honeymoon
We paid for our entire honeymoon flight to Hawaii using credit card points. In the year leading up to our wedding, my partner and I both signed up for a new travel rewards credit card with a large sign-up bonus. We put all our wedding-related expenses on these cards to meet the minimum spend requirements. The combined points from both our sign-up bonuses were more than enough to book two round-trip tickets. It’s a fantastic way to turn your wedding spending into a free vacation.
How to Design and Print Your Own Event Signage for Cheap
For our wedding, I designed all our signage—the welcome sign, the table numbers, the bar menu—using Canva, a free design tool. I used the same fonts and graphics from our invitations to create a cohesive look. I then had the signs printed at a local print shop like Staples. For the larger signs, I had them printed on foam board. The total cost for all our professional-looking signage was less than fifty dollars.
The Best Affordable Centerpiece Ideas
Your wedding centerpieces don’t have to be elaborate floral arrangements. For our wedding, we used a simple, elegant, and cheap idea. We collected different-sized glass bottles and jars for months. We then placed a single stem of a simple flower, like a carnation or some eucalyptus, in each one. We grouped a few of these bottles on each table, surrounded by a few tea light candles. The look was minimalist and romantic, and the total cost for all the tables was less than one hundred dollars.
How to Find Student Photographers and Videographers for Less
You can find talented but affordable photographers and videographers by looking for students. I found our wedding videographer by contacting the head of the film department at a local university. He recommended a few of his top senior students who were looking to build their professional portfolios. We reviewed their student work and hired one of them. He was eager, creative, and charged us less than a quarter of the price of an established professional.
The Financial Etiquette of Being a Wedding Guest
Being a wedding guest can be expensive. The etiquette is to spend what you are comfortable with on a gift. There is no required amount. For travel, it’s okay to politely decline an invitation if you cannot afford the flight and hotel. To save money, you can room with other friends who are attending, or look for an affordable Airbnb instead of the designated hotel block. Your presence is what the couple truly wants; don’t go into debt to attend a wedding.
How to Plan a Backyard Wedding That Doesn’t Destroy Your Lawn
A backyard wedding is a great budget option, but you need to plan for logistics. My friend had a wedding in her parents’ backyard. The biggest hidden cost was renting a portable toilet, as their home’s septic system couldn’t handle 100 guests. They also rented a dance floor to lay over the grass, which protected the lawn and gave guests a stable surface to dance on. These rentals are crucial for ensuring your guests’ comfort and protecting your property.
The Best Affordable Wedding Cake Alternatives
A traditional wedding cake can be surprisingly expensive. Instead of a multi-tiered cake, we opted for a dessert bar. We ordered a few dozen of our favorite gourmet donuts from a local shop. We also had a family member bake a few pies. We still had a small, simple cutting cake for the traditional photo. The dessert bar was a huge hit with our guests, offered more variety, and was about one-third of the cost of a traditional wedding cake.
How to Manage a “Cash Bar” vs. “Open Bar”
An open bar is a huge expense. A cash bar, where guests pay for their own drinks, can feel unhospitable. We chose a happy medium. We had an open bar for a limited time, offering free beer and wine during the one-hour cocktail reception. After that, it switched to a cash bar. This allowed us to be generous hosts and get the party started, without being on the hook for an unlimited bar tab for the entire night. It was a compromise that worked well for our budget and our guests.
The Best Affordable Rehearsal Dinner Ideas
A rehearsal dinner doesn’t have to be a formal, sit-down meal at an expensive restaurant. For ours, we kept it casual and cheap. We ordered pizzas and salads and hosted everyone in the backyard of the house we had rented for the weekend. It was relaxed and informal and allowed everyone to mingle and get to know each other before the big day. Another great option is to find a local brewery or casual restaurant that has a private space but doesn’t have a high food and beverage minimum.
How to Save Money on Wedding Rings
You can save a significant amount on wedding rings by being a smart shopper. My husband and I bought our simple, classic wedding bands from an online retailer like Blue Nile, which has lower overhead than a brick-and-mortar jewelry store. We also chose a more affordable metal like 14k gold instead of platinum. Another great way to save is to check out local pawn shops or antique stores, where you can often find beautiful, unique, and pre-owned wedding bands for a fraction of their original price.
I Planned My Wedding in 3 Months to Save Money
Having a short engagement can be a great way to save money. My partner and I planned our wedding in just three months. This forced us to be decisive and prevented us from getting caught up in endless, expensive details. Because we were booking vendors on short notice, we found that many were willing to give us a discount to fill an open date on their calendar. The compressed timeline also meant less time to second-guess our choices or be influenced by expensive trends.
The Hidden Costs of a “Free” Venue (Like a Park or Beach)
A “free” venue like a public park isn’t actually free. While you might save on the rental fee, you have to bring everything in yourself. For our park wedding, we had to rent tables, chairs, linens, a portable toilet, and even a generator for our music. These rental costs added up quickly. A venue that has a rental fee but includes all these items can sometimes be the cheaper and less stressful option. It’s important to calculate the total cost of all the necessary rentals before committing to a “free” space.
How to Create a “Guest Experience” on a Budget
A great guest experience is about thoughtfulness, not money. For our wedding, we created a “welcome station” with a large water dispenser infused with mint and cucumber. It was a simple, refreshing touch on a hot day. We also made sure our timeline had plenty of time for mingling, not just structured events. At each place setting, we wrote a short, personal thank you note to each guest. These small, personal touches made our guests feel welcomed and cared for, and they cost almost nothing.
The Financial Conversation You Must Have Before Getting Engaged
Before getting engaged, you must have an open conversation about your finances as a couple. My partner and I sat down and talked about our individual debts, our credit scores, our savings goals, and our general philosophies about money. We discussed how we would merge our finances and who would be responsible for managing the budget. It wasn’t the most romantic conversation, but it was essential for ensuring we were on the same page and starting our marriage on a strong, transparent financial foundation.
The Best Affordable Thank You Cards and Stationery
For affordable thank you cards, I always recommend buying them in bulk from a discount store or online. After our wedding, I bought a simple but elegant box of 100 thank you cards for about twenty dollars. For a more personal touch, you can use a service like Vistaprint to create custom cards with one of your wedding photos. They frequently have sales, and you can design a beautiful, personalized card for a very reasonable price. It’s much cheaper than buying them from a specialty stationery store.
How to Repurpose Your Wedding Items After the Big Day
After the wedding, I found ways to repurpose many of our decor items. The small vases we used for centerpieces are now scattered around our home holding flowers or pens. The beautiful fabric we used as a table runner is now a decorative throw on our sofa. I also sold some of the larger items, like our card box and some of the signage, on Facebook Marketplace to another local bride. This recouped some of our costs and allowed the items to be used again.
The Destination Wedding vs. Local Wedding Cost Breakdown
A destination wedding can sometimes be cheaper for the couple, but it’s more expensive for the guests. My friend had a destination wedding in Mexico. The all-inclusive package for 30 guests was cheaper than a traditional 150-person wedding at home. However, each of her guests had to spend over one thousand five hundred dollars on flights and accommodation. A local wedding would have cost us more, but it would have been more accessible and affordable for all the people we wanted to celebrate with.
The One Wedding “Tradition” We Skipped to Save $2,000
The one tradition we skipped was having a large, multi-tiered wedding cake. A fancy cake from a boutique bakery was going to cost us over eight hundred dollars. We also realized many people don’t even eat the cake. Instead, we bought a simple, delicious sheet cake from a local grocery store for sixty dollars. We kept it in the kitchen, and the catering staff served it to the guests. We still had a small, beautiful cake for us to cut for photos. This one simple swap saved us a huge amount of money.