How to Have an Affordable Wedding

Everyone dreams of a fairytale wedding. But when it comes to wedding expenses, you worry about the impact the wedding budget will have on your savings and finances. And even before you start planning, you get a setback. 

So, if you know you’ll be operating with restricted cash, an attitude of adjustment is required. It’s all about the ‘who’ — you and your partner and the people who are honoring you. As long as you walk the aisle with your favorite person, it doesn’t matter where and how you get married.

In the initial weeks of wedding preparation, couples are always advised to consider their priorities and the reasons behind their journey together. This approach will be helpful when you have to make dozens of judgments later on.

However, you can spend a little money to have a memorable day. In this blog, we have compiled a list of ideas to cut costs for your wedding.

What is the Average Cost of Weddings in America

According to The Knot, the average wedding cost $35,000 in 2023. That’s the equivalent of almost 3 years of in-state college tuition or an entirely new branded wardrobe! The cost of your big day depends on the venues you select, caterers, wedding attire, guest list, and decorations.

It’s time to discuss numbers. Typical wedding costs consist of:

• Venue rental – $10,700 average  
• Marriage license – $60 average, varies by state   
• Officiant – $300 average  
• Invitations – $530 average  
• Photographer – $2,500 average  
• Catering – $75 per person average  
• Cake – $500 average  
• DJ or Live Band – $1,400 to $4,300   
• Attire – $2,150 average  
• Flowers – $2,300 average  
• Hair and makeup – $250 average

Setting a Realistic Wedding Budget

Discuss the overall budget with your partner and any contributors. Agree on how much each side can comfortably give to prevent financial burden.

Once you’ve determined the entire amount, divide it into categories like venue, food, dress, photos, and décor. Allocate percentages depending on what is most important to you. For example, if you treasure outstanding images, allocate more to photography. Use budgeting tools or wedding planning applications to stay on track and manage your costs.

Hidden expenditures such as gifts, taxes, and service fees can rapidly increase. Set aside 5% to 10% of your budget for unexpected costs.

Read Related Blog: How to Save Money on Wedding Invitations?

Prioritizing Your Wedding Expenses

It’s also important to set a priority. It is your day, so discuss what is more important for you two. Is it a beautiful setting, delectable food, or a memorable entertainment experience? To help you make better spending decisions, rank each expenditure category from most to least significant.

Start with non-negotiables. Book the venue, it consumes a large percentage of the money. Next, evaluate the number of guests, which directly influences catering, seating, and invitation expenses. Reduce your consumption of products that you don’t value. For example, choose basic centerpieces or foliage if flower arrangements are unnecessary. Choose digital invites over paper ones. Borrow instead of buying decor. These changes free up cash for higher-priority initiatives.

Finally, maintain flexibility. You may discover surprising savings on certain things, allowing you to invest more in others. You can design a memorable and fantastical wedding within your budget if you set your priorities right.

Exploring Affordable Wedding Venues

The venue is by far the most expensive aspect of your wedding. The venue alone costs the couple about $10,000!

If your total wedding budget is barely a tenth of that, it’s difficult to swing. A tenth of a barn isn’t precisely what they rent out.

Finding inexpensive or, even better, free wedding venues is the simplest choice. Consider City Hall as an example—the location itself is free! Additionally, depending on where you are, City Hall may have some breathtaking architecture.

There are many other awesome free or low-cost locations:

• Your house or backyard is a very affordable venue for your big day with many sentiments.
• A family member’s house or farm is free if they don’t charge rent.
• Your local church — the average is $200 for couples who grew up or go to church regularly.
• A national park – a park venue will be more affordable than a traditional hotel or wedding venue, usually costing between $50 and $200.
• A public beach — depending on the situation. On a first-come, first-served basis, certain beaches permit weddings for free; however, in other locations, such as California, beach wedding permits cost anything from $100 to $150.
• Restaurants, breweries, and vacation houses are all affordable wedding venues, which will help you save money and give your ceremony a unique feel.
• Your college or university – many colleges allow alumni to use their event space for free. 

Have you ever considered these fancy venue options? You can try scoping out budget-friendly wedding venues on sites like Peerspace.

Every city or county has a facility, often a historic manor, that it rents for events. Despite being frequently ignored, these are incredibly lovely locations.

Read: How To Save Money On Wedding Flowers

DIY Wedding Ideas to Save Money

If you enjoy being creative, think about making easy DIY wedding decorations. Remember that you can do this well before the wedding; if your bridal party is into it, you can even engage them.

We buy cake from bakeries, they will charge a huge amount, about $200, for your wedding cake. What if we use a DIY cake you can afford and enjoy baking? By baking, you can make memories for a lifetime. This will cost approximately $20.

Once the dress is finalized, do you know what you will carry down the aisle? The cost of custom wedding flowers is $2,400 hundred, but you can have budget-friendly artificial flowers.

You can make your own flower arrangements and prepare them before the event. If you’re feeling very inventive, you may even repurpose the floral arrangements from your wedding for your reception. For example, you could utilize bridesmaid bouquets in vases as table centerpieces. Additionally, your bridal bouquet is yours to keep! Win, win, win three times.

Finding Affordable Wedding Attire

The wedding dress may be one of the biggest expenses of a wedding, but it doesn’t have to be. If getting a dress isn’t your top priority for the big day, consider getting one that seems really inexpensive so you can use the extra money for something truly significant. You may also rent an awesome designer wedding dress to flaunt on your big day.

The bridal boutique is no longer the only place brides can purchase clothes. You might look for formal dresses that could be used as inexpensive wedding gowns in more general dress retailers. For instance, you can get a white dress from any department store’s prom or party dress area. Because colorful dresses are so fashionable, formal gowns are also a good alternative.

Depending on the design, rental gowns might cost as low as $50. Try browsing websites such as Gwynniebee and Rent the Runway.

The same is true for groom’s suits, which are widely available for hire at nearby stores or online at places like The Black Tux Generation, Tux Stitch, and many more.

The average cost of a wedding dress is almost $2k, but it can be cut down to $0 by altering your mom’s dress for your dream wedding. It will not only save you money but also preserve an heirloom.

Budget-Friendly Catering Options

The most costly catering option is often plated seated meals. Therefore, inquire about buffets, family-style stations, or substantial hors d’oeuvres from each possible caterer.

Keeping an open bar stocked with wine, beer, mixers, and spirits may be expensive. Think about serving only wine and beer to keep your visitors hydrated and save money. Cutting out on alternatives will also save money.

The cost of your cake will increase with the number of layers. You don’t have to feed every visitor with the cake you cut for your photos, so you can opt for a minimalist cake. Simple store-bought cakes can also work. The best would obviously be baking it at home, and there is always someone in your friends or family who is an expert baker.

There is no requirement for cake to be served at your wedding. Serve pie or ice cream if cake isn’t important to you. Or your favorite bakery’s cookies. In addition to making the day seem extra special, choosing something you and your spouse like will save you money.

Read: High-Yield Savings Account for Wedding

Creative Ways to Save on Wedding Decorations

Some flower designers are prepared to lend or give away extra products from their warehouses. After placing your order, inquire about increasing your selections.

Asking recently married friends whether you can take centerpieces or other items left from previous receptions is another option to find inexpensive wedding flowers. Facebook groups and Craigslist are other excellent places to look for (and then sell) inexpensive wedding décor. Consider choosing a different shade or type of pink flower, even if you are determined to use a certain one to highlight your bridesmaids’ bouquets. 

Using in-season flowers for your wedding may reduce the cost. Ask your florist what flower exchanges will work. 

You can also DIY your wedding decorations and create an additional memory for a lifetime while saving some extra money.

How to Negotiate with Wedding Vendors

When approaching vendors, be open about your budget, but avoid giving your maximum upfront. Instead, ask if they can tailor packages to your specific requirements.

Bundle services wherever achievable to get savings. For example, some photographers provide discounts when paired with filming. To save money, be ready to compromise on less important things, such as using seasonal flowers or an off-peak wedding date.

Always communicate politely. Vendors prefer positive connections, and courteous interactions are more likely to result in beneficial outcomes.

Read: Personal Loan For A Wedding

How Beem Can Help With Wedding Budget Planning

Beem makes wedding budget planning easier by integrating your financial information into one app. You may create a goal budget, track spending in real-time, and assign money to categories such as location, dress, and catering. Download the Beem app here.

The software also provides individualized insights, which may help you discover areas where you may be overspending. Beem’s reminders ensure you don’t miss payment dates, preventing late penalties. You may even link bank accounts to ensure proper tracking and financial transparency.

Beem helps couples manage donations from numerous sources by keeping everyone on the same page. Its features reduce financial stress, allowing you to focus on arranging your big day.

Conclusion

An inexpensive dream wedding is about balancing prioritizing what matters most and keeping inside your budget. Setting clear financial objectives, bargaining wisely with suppliers, and utilizing tools like Beem may help you streamline planning and minimize unneeded stress.

Remember that the charm of your wedding rests in the love you share, not the money you spend. Focus on important details and unique solutions that represent your couple’s narrative. With careful planning, you’ll end up with a day that is both memorable and financially sustainable — proof that your ideal wedding is indeed achievable.

FAQs on How to Have an Affordable Wedding