Wedding planning on a budget is a balancing act. It’s the happy medium between saving money and splurging on your dream day, inviting family and friends without hurting feelings, and having champagne taste on a beer budget.
Just because money is tight doesn’t mean your wedding has to scream “cheap.” Here are some creative ways to save money — so you can have your wedding cake and eat it, too.
Cook for your guests
French chef Jacques Pépin once said, “Cooking is the purest expression of love.” What better way to honor your family and friends than by serving them a home-cooked meal on your wedding day? Channel the dinner party vibes and show off your chops in the kitchen.
Choose a simple but delicious meal that’s easy to make at scale, like a hearty soup, salad, or pasta. Shop seasonal ingredients or at bulk stores like Costco to find the best deals. Prep what you can beforehand and make things as simple as possible for the big day. Your guests will love the VIP treatment and you can show your appreciation for the role they’ve played in your lives — it’s a win-win.
If cooking is not your forte, hire a private chef to cater the meal. This is often cheaper than a catering company and still helps reinforce the intimate atmosphere of your small wedding.
Don’t tell anyone until the big day
Surprise! One way to save money on your wedding is to trick your guests into attending. Invite your loved ones to a different event — like an engagement party or housewarming — and make the big announcement once everyone has arrived.
You’ll save money on stationery and avoid costly markups from wedding vendors. Plus, your guests will be so excited about the spontaneous ceremony that they won’t even notice your decorations (or lack thereof). You can keep things simple and focus on the celebration.
Skip the dance
There are two types of people in this world: those who love to dance at weddings and those who avoid it at all costs, especially in an intimate setting. If you want to save money on music and entertainment, consider skipping the dance and focus on making memories in a different way.
Print out a variety of conversation starters and distribute them across your guests’ place settings. Since it’s a small group and you presumably know each guest well, go beyond the basics and ask questions that honor your relationship. Here are a few meaningful topics:
- What was your first impression of the bride or groom?
- When did you know we were a forever match?
- How do we complement each other?
- What advice do you have for our first year of marriage?
Give everyone a different question and allow other guests to weigh in if they have a story to tell. You can still crank up the tunes on Spotify in the background without the added pressure or cost of dancing!
Get candid
Wedding photos can eat up a large chunk of your budget. Instead of hiring a photographer for the entire day, hire a photographer for an hour or two. After they leave, invite your guests to take photos and share them with the group using an online photo album.
You’ll save money, still get the professional photo opps you can’t miss, and give your guests an excuse to take more pictures.
Support a small business
What’s your favorite date night spot? Whether it’s a restaurant, bar, or coffee shop, it might just be the perfect backdrop to your big day. If you can’t afford to rent out the entire space, see if they have a designated event room.
Bonus: places like coffee shops are often closed for business in the evening. They will likely have more availability and be more cost-friendly than traditional wedding venues.
More ways to save
Here are a few more tips and tricks to help you save money on your wedding day.
- Be mindful of DIY projects: while they might seem like a good idea, they can end up costing you more time and money in the long run. Be realistic and make sure it’s worth your energy!
- Say “no” to a bridal party: the cost of bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts, transportation, and niceties like hair and makeup add up quickly. Skip the formalities and ditch the entourage.
- Eat dessert first: or only eat dessert! There’s nothing wrong with a coffee and cake reception if it’s all you can afford. Just be clear about the food and beverage situation beforehand so guests can plan accordingly.
- Choose an all-inclusive venue: some venues only include event space while others include tables, chairs, linens, and a set up and tear down crew. Filter by number of attendees and pricing on Eventective to find the best venue for your headcount.
Don’t let the stress of budget wedding planning bring you down. Get creative and make memories while making every dollar count!
Rachel Kauffman is a Detroit-based content writer, bookworm, and cat mom to two feisty felines.
