Wedding Budget Essentials

September 4, 2024

Weddings

Limited Wedding Budget? Here Are the Essentials

Planning a wedding on a tight budget can seem daunting, but with some creativity and strategic thinking, you can still achieve a beautiful and memorable celebration. Focus on the essentials to ensure your big day is both special and affordable. Don’t get sidetracked by social media or everyone else’s opinion on what you “have to have” at your wedding. It’s up to you! Here’s a guide to help you prioritize and manage your wedding expenses effectively:

Food

Food can be a significant portion of your wedding budget, but there are ways to keep it affordable:

Buffet or “food stations”: These options are often cheaper than plated and family-style meals because they have significantly less staffing cost associated with them. They can still offer a variety of delicious choices – sometimes more!
DIY or Potluck: If your venue allows, consider a DIY approach or a potluck-style reception where guests bring dishes to share. This can reduce catering costs and add a personal touch to the meal. One of my favorite weddings was a backyard potluck!
Simplified Menu: Opt for a simpler menu with fewer courses. Focus on quality rather than quantity, and choose dishes that are both affordable and appealing to your guests. You can also ask your venue if there are any menu items that have a slightly lower cost.
Food Trucks: Depending on where you are getting married, you can get a food truck to park and feed your friends and family for much less than a full catered meal.

Drinks

Managing your drink service doesn’t have to be expensive:

Limited Bar: Offer a limited selection of beverages, such as a signature cocktail, beer, and wine. This can help keep costs down while still providing guests with enjoyable options.
BYOB: If your venue allows it, consider a BYOB approach where you purchase and provide the alcohol yourself. This can be significantly cheaper than using a full-service bar.
Go Non-Alcoholic: A selection of sodas, juices, and water with a fun featured mocktail ensures all guests are catered to, puts a personal touch, and can also help manage costs.

Photos

Capturing the memories of your wedding day is essential, but you can do so without overspending:

Hire a Professional or a Talented Amateur: Professional photographers can be pricey, but you might find a talented amateur or a photography student who can offer quality work at a lower rate. Ensure they have a solid portfolio and references. Sometimes people just ask friends – do be careful with this one – maybe test out an “engagement photo” to make sure that they can show up on time and take a couple of good shots. You won’t look at your wedding photos often, but you’ll at least one one amazing photo you can frame.
Limit Coverage Time: Reduce costs by limiting the number of hours you need a photographer. For example, you could have them cover just the ceremony and the first part of the reception.
DIY Options: Alternatively, set up a DIY photo booth with a quality camera and some fun props. Or set up a share site or hashtag and ask guests to be your paparazzi.

Music

Music sets the mood for your wedding and can be managed without a hefty price tag:

Playlist and Speakers: Create a custom playlist for your ceremony and reception. With a good quality speaker system, you can manage the music yourself or enlist a tech-savvy friend to handle the setup. Just make sure you test it before the big day! Streaming services offer a vast selection of songs to suit every part of your wedding day.
DJ Alternatives: Hiring a DJ can be costly, so consider alternatives like a music app or a curated playlist. If you prefer live music, look for local bands or musicians who might offer lower rates for smaller events or less popular time slots.
One Vendor Only: If you’re dying to have the acoustic version of Food Fighter’s “Everlong” played while you walk down the aisle, but can’t afford a guitarist and a DJ, try to combine them. Sometimes a live musician is also willing to be your DJ – playing live music during the ceremony and then DJing during the reception. P.S. many DJs also do photo booths and lighting for a minimal cost – just ask!

Invitations

Invitations set the tone for your wedding but can be made affordable with a few smart choices:

Digital Invitations: Save on printing and postage by opting for digital invitations. There are many elegant and customizable templates available online that can be sent via email or through social media. Most digital invite sites also provide free website templates, which can be a great way to tell your people about your significant other, and provide the when-where details that they will reference again closer to the date.
DIY Invitations: If you prefer physical invitations, consider DIYing them. Purchase printable templates and craft your own invites. This adds a personal touch and can significantly reduce costs.
Simplified Designs: Choose simpler designs and use less expensive paper. Elegant but minimalist invitations can still make a strong impression without the high cost. There are some great big printing sites online that offer great coupons and look pretty great.

Venue

The venue often represents a significant portion of the wedding budget, but there are ways to keep it affordable:

Off-Peak Times: Consider booking your venue during off-peak times, such as weekdays or non-peak seasons. Many venues offer discounts for these times, which can help you save. Some even have different prices for number of hours – a great venue will tell you know long you should rent based on the size of your party and what you want to do at the wedding. Sometimes they also charge for a ceremony – so you could consider getting married at a park first, or even at the courthouse, and only use the venue for the reception.
Alternative Locations: Look for non-traditional venues, such as parks, community centers, or even a friend’s backyard. These locations can offer a more personal and cost-effective setting for your wedding. Just remember the potential hidden costs associated with having to rent chairs and tables, and having to buy disposable cups & dinnerware (or pay your caterer to bring them).
Smaller Spaces: Opt for a smaller, more intimate venue. Fewer guests mean a smaller space is needed, which can reduce both venue and catering costs.

Officiant

It’s actually illegal to get married without an officiant. But an officiant can be just about anybody, as long as they have a license.

A Judge: Consider a courthouse wedding. You have to go to get your license anyway – why not have a real-live judge marry you as well. This also cuts down on direct costs (in Seattle it’s under $175) as well as your main guests’ costs (think: besties and family witnesses may not feel as much pressure to buy extravagantly expensive outfits) and the cost of a photographer (friend or family for 20 minutes?).
A Friend: A friend or family member who knows you both well and is great at public speaking (and never tells inappropriate stories when they’re nervous) is a great choice for your officiant. You can even find templates online and work with them to create the script. Just make sure they get ordained online in time!
Your Religious Leader: If you or your family is religious, consider asking your religious or spiritual leader. Often they will officiate your wedding for a small donation to your place of worship.

Something to Wear

It drives me batty when people tell me that their wedding was “ONLY $XXXX”, but then I find out they are only counting the venue, food and flowers. Weddings cost a lot more than that, from clothing to honeymoon to bachelor/bachelorette parties. But you can get creative about what you want to do, and how. When it comes to attire, you don’t need to splurge to look stunning:

Wedding Dress: Consider shopping for off-the-rack options or sample dresses, which can be significantly cheaper than custom-made gowns. Look for sales, discounts, or explore second-hand options at bridal boutiques and online platforms. Other options that I love are simple white dresses from chain stores (my bestie looked stunning in a J. Crew white dress!), or a beautiful dress in your favorite color instead (Dark blue? YES!).
Suit/Tuxedo: Renting a suit or tuxedo can be a cost-effective alternative to buying. Many rental services offer high-quality attire at a fraction of the price. If possible, choose a classic style that won’t go out of fashion. Alternately, buy nice pants and a blazer that you can wear again. If it’s hot outside, you can even get away with linen pants and a nice shirt with an accessory like a tie or suspenders – no suit jacket needed!
Accessories: Keep accessories simple. Opt for elegant, understated pieces that complement your outfit without breaking the bank. No one can tell if your jewelry is “real”. Borrowing jewelry or using family heirlooms can also add a personal touch without additional cost.

Rings

Weddings rings are a timeless symbol of your commitment, but they don’t have to be expensive. Right now, understated is in…which means you could just opt for plain bands:

Affordable Materials: Consider rings made from alternative metals such as tungsten or titanium, which are durable and budget-friendly. Lab-created gemstones can also offer a beautiful, ethical, and less costly alternative to traditional diamonds. One of my good friends actually has a silicone band because “he’d just break or lose a real one”.
Simple Designs: Choose classic and simple designs. Less intricate rings are often more affordable and can be just as meaningful as more elaborate styles.
Shop Around: Compare prices from various jewelers and consider online retailers for better deals. Look for sales or discounts to maximize your budget.

Conclusion

A limited budget doesn’t have to mean a limited celebration. By focusing on these essentials and making thoughtful, strategic choices, you can plan a beautiful wedding that stays within your financial means. Remember, the most important aspect of your wedding day is celebrating your love and commitment, and that’s something that money can’t buy.