How to Plan Your Dream Wedding on a Budget
The truth is you may have been planning your wedding for years already right? You probably have a board dedicated to it on Pinterest. You have screenshots on your phone. But when you ACTUALLY have to start planning reality can set in very fast.
BUDGET $$
Let’s talk budget. You have to be open and honest about this part from day one. Sit down with your fiancé and talk realistically about how much the two of you are willing to spend. If parents are contributing make sure you chat with them too!
My Budget Goal= > $20,000
LOCATION
If you are dead set on your location that’s ok, but it’s important to realize that the location of your wedding will have the biggest effect on your budget. I planned a wedding in the Boston area and my catering package came in over $12,000 for 100 people. I planned the same wedding in Charleston, SC and my catering total was $6,900. See what I mean?
VENUE
Being flexible about your venue can open up lots of different options. If you have always wanted a hotel ballroom style wedding prices are pretty standard and there is very little wiggle room. BUT what if you pick an out of the box location? Something unique. Maybe your grandparents have a beautiful back yard or you rent out your favorite brewery.
In Charleston I visited almost every wedding venue available. We ended up renting an ocean front beach house for an ENTIRE WEEK for less than what it would have cost us to rent a downtown venue for 8 hours. Search your favorite locations for an event house – maybe its the the lake, beach or mountains!
The added bonus here is that you can use the house for a welcome party, rehearsal dinner or morning after breakfast too! BIG savings! Plus you and your family, friends or bridal party can stay there!
Venue Cost = $5,198 – This was for a 7 day rental and also slept myself and 15 other people!
FOOD
Be choosy about your caterer. If you are planning a DIY wedding the caterer will likely be your biggest ally. Mine double checked my rental order and made suggestions. He even looked into the tide schedule as our ceremony was on the beach. Talk to them about your options. Be upfront about your budget. There are so many ways to save here and lots of different options for how to serve your guests: Family style, buffet, stations, seated dinner and heavy hors d’oeuvre. Want to serve filet but it’s too pricey per head? Try a braised short rib! Seated dinner is out of your budget? There are LOTS of ways to do a nice buffet these days!
We did 3 stations with small plates and people LOST THEIR MINDS over the food! Here’s what we got:
5 Passed for horse’ deoeuvres
Lobster rolls and homemade potato chips
Southern Fried Chicken and Mac n cheese
Braised Short rib and potato puree
+ A Late Night Snack – Burgers with local blue cheese
Catering Cost = $6,970.00 ( $69.70/head)
BAR
SO many options when it comes to the bar. I think the most budget friendly way is to stock your own bar with beer and wine and a few signature cocktails (think: one for the bride and one for the groom)!
Hire a bartender for the night or figure out a self serve station – pre-make your cocktails in glass dispensers and arrange beer and wine on ice!
This will help cut down on your cost while giving your guests plenty of options! We hired a company to run the bar – but looking back I would have stocked It myself.
Bar Cost- $2,690 $26.90/head for full open bar for 4 hours
FLOWERS
Sam’s Club bulk flowers will knock your socks off! With a little effort you CAN do this yourself! Do some research and figure out what is in season and order up to 125 stems on their site! I used garden roses in cream, seeded eucalyptus and mixed greens.
This 25 ft Premium Wedding Garland was hands down my favorite thing. It’s so versatile. Run them down tables, swag them across mantels or railings and make the left-over trimmings into wreaths. They are full but still wispy and romantic!
Flower cost – $1,100 Garland, Mixed Greens, and Garden roses
RENTALS/ LINENS
If your venue does not have tables and chairs you will need to rent them. Tables rent for about $8-12 a piece and chairs anywhere from $3-20. I chose the most basic white wooden folding chairs. They were the perfect basic and cost $3/piece!
We ended up purchasing linens which was MUCH cheaper than renting. Since then we have used them for every holiday and two baby showers! Worth it!
Rental Cost: $1,259.47
PHOTOGRAPHER
Wedding photography packages can eat up a VERY large portion of your budget. Try finding a local photographer who is looking to build their portfolio. Reach out and ask them if they have ever done or would consider shooting a wedding! Their price will be much more affordable and your pictures will help them build their business! Win -win. I found my photographer on Instagram, he had never done a wedding before but I liked his style and it worked out amazingly well! You may even have a friend or relative willing to do this too!
Photography Package Cost – $800
ATTIRE
I found my dress in a off the rack clearance sale at a big box store I never would have normally shopped! It was under $500 and I still love it to this day. Shop the sales! Make appointments at the fancy boutiques and try on dresses while you sip champagne but SHOP THE SALES!
BHLDN Anthropolgie’s Wedding collection has beautiful, unique gowns all under $2,000!
It’s also nice to think about your bridal party here. Being in someone’s bridal party usually means you are spending a pretty penny. Send them some reasonable and affordable options. It’s great if it’s a piece they can wear again. Send them coupons! Wait for a sale!
Show me Your Mumu has great, chic options under $200! You can pick a color and let them chose a style they will feel comfortable in.
My bridesmaids wore this WHBM jumpsuit in ecru. It was stunning and so well made and we got it during a 50% off sale! It’s actually a great option for a laid-back bride too!
Bridesmaid’s Cost: $80
For the guys try a tux rental through theblacktux.com. They can send in measurements and everything from their bow tie to their shoes will be delivered right to their door. Then just send it back with a prepaid label!
Groomsman Cost – $125+ depending on add ons
DECOR
Thrifting is a DIY brides best friend. Search for candlesticks (spray them all to match if you need to!) , vintage drink ware, milk glass, brass compotes, vases, baskets, frames, rugs, even furniture. You name it you can find it thrifting! The possibilities are endless!
OFFICIANT
See if you can convince ask a friend or relative to get ordained online and preside over your ceremony. This will save you money (but make sure to cover the cost of the online certificate!) and add a sentimental touch to your big day!
Officiant Cost: $225 + Tip
ENTERTAINMENT
This is a hard one to skirt around because a DJ is expensive and a band requires your first born child. Many people opt for creating a wedding playlist and controlling the music themselves!
DJ Cost – $600
Tips on Guest List!
This can get very tricky depending on your family dynamic, but with smaller more intimate weddings becoming the norm you may be able to get away with it. If you can, sit down with your fiancé and each of you come up with a list of people you MUST have there.
Helpful ways to shorten your list:
Think about keeping it smaller and intimate. I wanted the place filled with people who had been a big part of our lives – and nothing less. I took out anyone who had never met my fiancé!
Have a hard and fast rule on plus ones (but give everyone in your wedding party the option)!
Kids? Decide whether you want to invite kids. If you decide no kids make an 18+ rule!
For more budget friendly wedding ideas check out these amazing $1 finds for your wedding decor!
