Planning a wedding can be exceptionally costly. According to a study of approximately 12,000 couples by The Knot, the 2023 average cost of a wedding in the U.S. was $35,000. That was up $5,000 from the previous year.
While a big production might be the wish of some couples, it will often require many to take out a wedding loan to finance their wishes. But what if you prefer to plan your wedding on a budget instead? Though it may seem low, is it even possible to do everything for less than $1,000?
Here are ten tips for holding a budget-friendly wedding.
1) Find a Free Venue
The location of the wedding ceremony and reception can easily be one of the most significant expenses of any wedding. Therefore, if you want to reduce the overall cost, it would be wise to cut this cost out completely by holding it somewhere that doesn’t charge.
For example, you could get married in a public setting like a nature preserve or the beach. For these locations, many times, you will only need to pay for permits, the officiant, and equipment rentals for seating and the like. If you have a family member with a large property or even a barn willing to let you use the space, then the reception could be held there.
2) Substitute the Reception Meal with a Potluck
Food is another significant wedding expense. Whether you go buffet style or serve by the plate, you can easily pay $25 to $100 per guest.
You can have significant cost savings if you arrange the meal like a potluck instead and ask select guests to bring passing dishes instead of gifts.
3) Be Flexible on the Flowers
Wedding flowers can be costly, especially if they are out of season and must be imported. However, you can save money by buying whatever is available from a local provider or big box retailer like Costco.
4) Rent the Attire
As beautiful as a wedding dress can be, the reality is that it’s only something that you’ll wear one time. So as a substitute, ask to borrow a dress from a friend or family member, or rent a dress at an affordable price.
Along the same lines, the groom can do something similar by wearing a nice suit instead of renting a tuxedo.
5) Ask a Friend or Family Member to do the Hair and Make-up
Do you have a friend or family member who is really good at doing hair and make-up? Check if they would be willing to help you on your big day.
6) Delegate a Photographer
Oftentimes, we all know someone who’s great with photography. Rather than hiring a professional, see if this person would be willing to serve as the photographer and videographer for the day.
7) Find a Friend to Officiate
For just a few dollars, anyone can register online to officiate a wedding. Make your occasion unique by asking a common friend of yours if they would be willing to do this for you.
8) Offer an Alternative to Cake
In place of a traditional wedding cake, add some personality by having treats like cupcakes, cookies, donuts, and brownies available.
Whether you bake them yourself or buy them from the bakery, forgoing a traditional tiered wedding cake can save you hundreds.
9) Send Invitations Electronically
Whether you send the invitation on expensive card stock or by email for free, your guests will still receive the message. Therefore, go with the option that costs nothing. You can create an event invite online that includes the time, date, and place and send it to your friends and family.
10) Automate the DJ
Having a live DJ can be fun. However, with some planning, you could pre-program a playlist for the entire night of songs you both know and enjoy. This can be done on your own or with the help of a tech-savvy friend.
The Bottom Line
There’s absolutely no reason you need to spend tens of thousands of dollars on your wedding and start your marriage in extreme debt. Instead, use the tips above to reduce your expenses drastically. Ultimately, it’s not about how much money you spend, but rather that the two of you celebrate your love with the people who matter to you.
Notice: Information provided in this article is for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views of redandwhitemagz.com or its employees. Please be sure to consult your financial advisor about your financial circumstances and options. This site may receive compensation from advertisers for links to third-party websites.
