How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget

Even with your wedding budget set and planned out, there are some creative ways you can save more money on your special day. A lot of people are opting for less traditional wedding day aspects for a sense of individuality, to spend less money, and to have a day that they and their guests will never forget.

Here are 7 wedding ideas to consider for your own celebration that will make your event stand out while also saving some funds! 

1. Choose a Nontraditional Venue

Traditional reception venues and banquet halls get the job done, but selecting a location that isn’t typically used as a wedding venue is unique and can lower the reception price tag. You can consider a restaurant, museum, park, library, or even a boat — all spots that aren’t traditionally thought of as wedding venues, but can help you save money and give your event a unique feel. 

Another popular option is renting an Airbnb as a venue and holding all your wedding events at that location. You can search for listings that allow you to host events — just make sure it’s equipped to handle your number of guests, and don’t forget to factor in rental fees for things such as tents, tables, or chairs, if necessary.

2. Have a Small and Intimate Celebration

Cut the guest list down, and keep your wedding day celebration super close-knit and intimate by having a smaller gathering. A big part of your wedding budget is the food and drinks for guests, so having a huge wedding can increase that amount pretty fast. 

Although it can be difficult to keep your guest list small (especially if you have lots of friends and big families), it can ultimately make the day more special by only having the people you’re closest with there for your big day, and it will help your budget.

3. Look Into Bridal Consignment 

You can rent your dream wedding dress instead of dropping thousands of dollars to buy it and wear it once. If your dream dress is out of your budget, you can see if it’s available online through second-hand wedding dress sites such as OnceWed.com or StillWhite.com. You can save up to half off a dress that has been pre-loved, dry cleaned, and preserved by its first owner.

Another alternative is renting formal wear, such as the suit for the groom. It’s a great way to cut costs on something that’s not going to be used for very long. After all, there’s really no need to splurge on attire that’s most likely going to be worn for only a day.

4. Don’t Go Wild With Vendors 

A lot of wedding planners, online resources, and even friends and family members will say you need a bunch of different vendors to make your wedding day perfect. A florist, videographer, photographer, live band, DJ — the list goes on and on. It can be overwhelming and, more importantly, costly to work with so many different vendors in one day.

If you’re working with a tight budget, pick your top 2 or 3 vendors that are a must and book those for your wedding day. You can also try to negotiate with the vendors you do use to make sure you’re getting the best price possible!

5. Book a Weekday Wedding

Saturday is a popular day for weddings, but it’s also generally the most expensive day to get married. You can likely reserve your venue at a lower price if you hold your wedding on a Sunday or even a weeknight. And if you choose a date that falls during the off-peak wedding season (like in the winter or early spring), you might be able to save even more.

Opting for a cheaper day to get married is one of the best ways to plan a wedding on a budget, without all the effort. You should also inquire about any unbooked dates your desired wedding venue may be trying to fill.

6. Skip Some of the Smaller Details

The smaller details of your wedding day are always a nice touch, but most of the time, no one remembers them except for you. If those details are super important to you, and you can’t live without the name cards, menus, or wedding favors, then, of course, include them in your budget. But, if the big-ticket items mean more, like your entertainment and photographer, use the funds there instead. 

Some of the smaller items, like custom cocktail napkins and elaborate centerpieces, can get expensive and may even get thrown away at the end of the night by your guests. Save that money and focus on the non-negotiables instead. You might not need custom drink stirrers, but you probably want great food and drinks on your big day.

7. Elope!

If all this still sounds like too much, there’s an even better budget-friendly solution: elope! Elopements have become more common, especially during the pandemic when large events weren’t an option. You and your significant other can get married at city hall, which usually only costs a couple hundred dollars, and then have a celebratory dinner with close friends and family. It skips the stress of all the wedding planning, but still lets you have a special day with your soon-to-be partner.