As the cost of weddings continues to rise, more and more couples are seeking creative ways to stay within their budget. Weddings are exciting, yet expensive, events. A budget wedding does not mean your wedding will look cheap. There are many creative ways to cut costs while creating the wedding you’ve always dreamed of. How can you plan your dream wedding without breaking the bank? In this post, we will cover budget wedding ideas, including venue ideas and food ideas, to help couples save money without sacrificing style.

Why Have a Budget Wedding?

As costs continue to rise, more couples are choosing to have a budget wedding. Some couples want to ensure they have financial freedom to make big purchases once they are married or to enjoy a honeymoon. To stick to a budget, you must prioritize what matters most to you. Having a budget wedding can actually reduce stress because you won’t be overspending or overextending yourselves. Planning a budget wedding doesn’t mean compromising on your dream day. It just means you may have to get creative!

How to Establish Your Wedding Budget

One of the first decisions you will make while planning your wedding is determining your budget. This can be more complicated than it initially appears. First of all, you will need to consider what your budget includes. Is the budget the total amount you can spend on everything for the wedding—venue, dress, invitations, showers, etc.? Or will someone else be responsible for certain expenses, meaning they will be excluded from your budget? Next, take a realistic look at your wedding day. What type of venue are you considering? How many guests will you have? What services and amenities are important to you? After you have decided what your wedding day will look like, do some research into the typical costs of services in your area. This would be a great time to reach out to a few venues and photographers to gather their pricing and availability information. Finally, you will be able to create a realistic budget for your wedding. Don’t forget to leave some leeway for unexpected expenses and last-minute items!

Prioritize Your Must-Haves

Your ability to stick to your budget successfully will largely depend on setting priorities early. Sit down with your partner and discuss what the most important things are to each of you. As you break down your budget, you can allocate more funds towards those non-negotiables. Some couples decide that their venue is the most important factor on their wedding day, so they set aside a larger portion of their budget to book their dream venue. And some couples want to relive their wedding day through meaningful photos taken by an experienced photographer. Those couples might choose to book a photographer who is more of an investment. Once you have decided on your must-haves, make another list of less essential aspects. These are items that you are willing to be flexible with and choose a more cost-effective option. You can even do some things yourself to save. 

Pro tip: While it may be tempting to opt for a budget-friendly venue and handle decorations yourself, keep in mind that higher end venues often provide comprehensive services and decor packages that might actually save you money in the long run.

How to Find Cost-Effective Vendors and Services

After setting aside funds for non-negotiable items, it’s time to shop around for lower-cost options for less essential details. It is possible to find vendors and services that are within budget without compromising on quality. Some vendors are looking to increase their experience or add to their portfolio. They might offer better pricing to work in a specific location. Look for newer vendors or service providers that are new to the area. Freelance vendors who work in the wedding industry part-time may be a more cost-effective option. You can also join a local wedding planning group on Facebook and ask for recommendations.

When you reach out to vendors, be sure to let them know your budget and that you are shopping around. That will save you time and energy, as well as the vendor you are in contact with. If you have a tight budget for your venue, consider alternatives such as outdoor spaces or community event halls. Or venues about lower pricing for Friday or Sunday events. You could even have a weekday wedding for a much lower cost! Finally, consider what you can tackle on your own with the help of family and friends. Some close friends and family members might be able to donate an afternoon to put together bouquets, or maybe you are close with someone who has a talent for keeping things organized and could take the place of a wedding day coordinator.

Creative Budget Wedding Ideas

There are also some creative ways to save money on your wedding day. Here are some ideas you may not have thought of:

Decor & DIY

• Second-day flowers

Some couples are looking for other weddings on the same weekend as theirs to share the cost of flowers. You could look for a couple who would buy your flowers after your wedding day, or consider purchasing second-day flowers yourself.

• DIY floral arrangements

Alternatively, you could create your floral arrangements! If you have some willing volunteers, you could enlist their help a day or two before the wedding to make arrangements and bouquets from wholesale flowers.

• Thrifted dinnerware

Another way to save on costs is to thrift dinnerware sets or glasses instead of renting. You can also look for full dinnerware sets from past weddings on Facebook pages dedicated to wedding items.

• Upcycled decor

There are all sorts of used wedding decor items for sale! Search places like Marketplace or Facebook wedding decor groups in your local area to see what you might be able to snag used instead of paying full price.

Dresses & Attire

• Secondhand Dresses & Attire

There are many places you can find gently used wedding dresses and attire. Some dresses were purchased but have never even been worn!

• Sample Sales

Some stores schedule regular sales for sample dresses that are available for in-store try-on. Look for local sample sales; you might be able to find a dress that requires only slight alterations at a highly discounted price.

• Rentals

Renting suits or tuxedos may also present a cost savings.

Invitations & Stationery

• Digital invitations

You could opt for digital invitations to save on printing and postage costs. It might also be easier to collect RSVPs as guests can simply click on a link or hit reply!

Entertainment

• New DJs

Some newer DJs who are building their portfolio may cost less. Keep in mind that a DJ will have a significant impact on your wedding celebration, so you will still want to choose someone trustworthy with some experience in the wedding industry.

Budget Wedding Venue Ideas 

Non-traditional wedding venues can be a more affordable option for one of your biggest wedding expenses. Here are some of our favorite budget wedding venue ideas:

• Parks & Outdoor Spaces

Many city and state parks are available for events and cost much less than a traditional wedding venue.

• Community Centers

Community centers are another budget-friendly option for hosting events. While they may not be as grand or flashy as a typical venue, they often offer more freedom to bring your own food and decor, providing even greater cost savings.

• Family Property

If you have a family member with a large property, you may be able to host your event there. Keep in mind that you may need special permits, and you may also need to rent items such as tables, chairs, and portable toilets, which can quickly add up.

• Restaurants with Private Rooms

Restaurants are another non-traditional wedding venue idea that could potentially help you stick to budget, especially if you are hosting a smaller event.

Pro Tip: As we mentioned earlier, there are ways to save at traditional venues as well. For example, you could book your event during the off-season or on a weekday. Friday and Sunday are typically priced slightly lower than Saturday events as well. What a venue includes in its rental can also make a huge difference. Be sure to account for items such as tables, chairs, and plates, which may be included in some venues’ packages but incur additional costs at other locations.

Budget Wedding Food Ideas

• Buffet vs Plated Meals

Buffet-style meals are typically a more budget-friendly catering option if you decide to book a traditional caterer.

• Bring Your Own Food

Some venues may allow you to bring your own food. If you have loved ones who are willing to assist, they could help you prepare food ahead of your wedding. You could also bring in prepared food from a deli or grocery store to save money.

• Brunch or Dessert Receptions

By having your wedding earlier in the day, you could open the option to have a brunch meal instead of a formal dinner. Or you might choose to have a dessert reception if it is not feasible to provide a full meal.

• Signature Cocktails Instead of Open Bar

Another way you could stick to your budget while providing hospitality is by giving guests the option of enjoying a signature drink on you instead of a full open bar.

Budget-Friendly Alternatives

Budget-friendly alternatives to traditional wedding elements can help you stay within budget without sacrificing your vision. For example, one typical expense on a wedding day is cake. A traditional cake is large and intricately decorated, making it a bit pricey for some couples. Instead of a traditional cake, you could choose to cut a small cake with your partner and then serve sheet cakes to guests. This would reduce your total cost while still allowing you to have a cake-cutting moment and provide guests with a slice of cake. You could also opt to ditch the traditional wedding cake and serve a different dessert at a lower cost.

Some couples choose to have a cocktail-style reception instead of a traditional sit-down dinner. Another option is to switch up the time of day or day of the week from a traditional Saturday to something off-peak. Winter weddings also have lower costs versus high-demand wedding dates in the summer and fall. You can always cut down your guest list to eliminate per-guest costs and opt for a smaller, less expensive wedding venue. By making a few tradeoffs, you could potentially save thousands of dollars.

Stick To Your Wedding Budget

Wedding planning is a lengthy process, making it challenging to stick to your budget over time. It is essential to track expenses and stay organized during the planning process. Make sure you have effective tools for tracking expenses, like a spreadsheet or wedding planning app. If unforeseen expenses arise, consider where you can cut costs in other areas to cover them. And communicate clearly with your partner regarding your budget so you can stick to it as a team.

Although wedding costs are on the rise, you can still plan your dream wedding while sticking to a budget! I hope these tips will help you approach wedding planning with creativity and flexibility so you have more options for your big day. I hope you have the best wedding day ever!

Lively Photography is a Wichita-based wedding photography team providing full-service photography and content creation. Looking for a photographer in the Wichita or Kansas City areas? Reach out to us today!