The Thrifty Bride Playbook: 30 Affordable Wedding Tips
Weddings are magical events, but they can also be incredibly expensive. You need to pay for the venue, the food, and all the outfits. It can be a really tiring and draining experience, especially today considering the levels of inflation.
So, what is a good budget for a wedding in the United States? According to The Knot, the average cost for a wedding in 2023 was $35,000, but fortunately, there are countless ways to celebrate your love without breaking the bank.
That’s why we’ve gathered 30 wedding tips specially curated for the thrifty bride to help you plan an affordable wedding. And if you stick to the end, we will include an extra tip on how to make a low budget wedding look expensive.
30 Affordable Wedding Tips
Don’t be scared of the word affordable when it comes to your wedding. Just because you choose to go with less expensive options, it doesn’t mean that you and your crowd won’t have an amazing time on your wedding day!
Well then… Let’s dive into the thrifty bride playbook and learn how to cut costs on your wedding day.
1. Set a Realistic Budget
The most important tip when planning an affordable wedding is, of course, to determine how much you can afford to spend on your wedding and stick to it.
Break down the budget into categories like venue, food, attire, and entertainment. Make a plan on which categories you would like to spend more on, and which less. You could, let’s say, put $1000 on entertainment, then $2000 on attire, and so on.
What is the highest expense when planning a wedding, and should I allocate a large portion of my budget to it? Yes and no. It honestly depends on what you want. The highest expense when planning a wedding is definitely the venue. However, you can choose not to have a traditional venue and focus your budget on something else, like entertainment or food.
2. Choose an Off-Peak Date
Weddings in off-peak months can be significantly cheaper. Vendors often offer discounts during the off-season. You may be wondering, what is the least expensive month to have a wedding?
January, February, and November are typically less expensive months since people mostly want to get married in the early fall and summer months.
However, be careful, and try to plan ahead with the weather in mind. A November wedding might be gloomy, while January might be a perfect choice if you want a wedding in the snow.
3. Limit the Guest List
A smaller guest list means less money spent on food, beverages, and invitations. Consider an intimate ceremony with close family and friends.
There’s really no need to invite a broad friend list with whom you do not talk much. Or a family that lives far away. This way, you aren’t spending your budget on them, and they do not need to spend money on those overpriced plane tickets.
4. DIY Invitations
Design and print your own invitations or use digital invites via Facebook to save on printing and postage costs.
Free websites like Canva offer beautiful templates where you can design your own invitations. If you are creative, this will be an easy task for you. You can even ask your friends or family for an opinion when you’re done.
5. Consider a Non-Traditional Venue
Look into parks, beaches, or even a friend’s backyard as a venue. These locations can be much cheaper than traditional wedding venues.
This way, you won’t need to even spend money on venue food, you can just make your own menu based on your budget.
6. Opt for Buffet or Family-Style Meals
Buffet or family-style meals are typically more affordable than plated dinners. They also create a casual and communal dining experience.
You may also look into new business owners who are building a reputation and offering buffets for weddings. They can be pretty affordable and might even surprise you with some new and exciting dishes.
7. Serve Seasonal & Local Foods
Use seasonal and locally sourced foods/vegetables to cut down on catering costs. The catering company can typically pass these savings along to the consumer. These low-cost wedding foods will be fresher and cheaper than some higher-end foods.
8. Simplify the Cake
Consider a small, beautifully decorated cake for display and a larger sheet cake for serving guests.
Nowadays, you can even get a big beautiful fake or “dummy” wedding cake that you can cut into, and then afterwards, you can serve the guests a more affordable (and more moist) sheet cake. This can be especially beneficial if you have a low guest count because your can have the nostalgia of cutting a cake, but very little cake will go to waste.
Your guest wont even notice, by this time, they will all be in food comas anyway and a slice of cake is just an added bonus.
9. Rent or Borrow Décor
Renting, borrowing, or purchasing second hand decorations can save you a significant amount of money. Check out thrift stores, and online rental marketplaces like WEquip, or borrow from friends/family.
You will be surprised at what you can rent at various party rentals places in your area.
10. DIY Decorations
Create your own centerpieces, floral arrangements, and other affordable wedding decorations. This can be a fun way to get your friends and family involved prior to the wedding day. Enlist your guests to help can be tricky, but if done correctly, this is truly a beautiful way to put your personal stamp on everything so that if really represents your style.
11. Hire a DJ Instead of a Band
DJs are often more affordable than live bands, and keep in mind that a wedding DJ does more than just play music.
They can play a wider variety of music (millions of song options) than a live band and coordinate the entire flow of the evening. At Buffy’s Beats we provide a wedding worksheet that can be used to plan each event as the night progresses and ensure that all vendors are working together to make the party a success.
A DJ can also provide exciting enhancements or fun ways to engage your guests such as a lip sync contest with bridesmaids vs the groomsman or unique introductions into the reception hall surrounding a specific theme like Harry Potter or the Price is Right. These little extras are all rolled into your wedding DJ package and are promised to take your event from good to amazing!
12. Use Buy Now, Pay Later Options
Services like AfterPay and Sezzle can help you manage wedding expenses without straining your budget. You can bootstrap your cash by paying for your vendors overtime (interest free). Just be sure to use these services responsibly.
13. Choose a Second-Hand Wedding Dress
Instead of buying a new wedding dress, consider buying a pre-owned wedding dress or renting one. There are many online platforms that offer beautiful, gently used gowns at a fraction of the cost.
You can even wear your mother’s or aunt’s wedding gown. Just resize it, and you’re good to go.
14. Simplify Bridesmaids’ Attire
Opt for simpler, less expensive dresses for your bridesmaids. You could even let them choose their own dresses in a specific color palette.
Or you can let them buy their own dresses. This is not a traditional way of planning the wedding, but why should you bear the expense of their dresses? Tell them that they can wear anything appropriate, and make sure they don’t choose a white dress!
15. Skip the Favors
Wedding favors can add up quickly. Consider skipping them altogether or opting for something simple and homemade.
16. Negotiate with Vendors
Don’t be afraid to negotiate with your vendors. Many vendors are willing to work within your budget to secure the sale, and if they don’t want to negotiate, just find another vendor.
17. Use In-House Catering
If your venue offers in-house catering, it can be more affordable than hiring an external caterer.
You might even ask if you can bring homemade food and cakes to lower the cost of their catering.
18. Have a Friend Officiate
Ask a friend or family member to get ordained online and officiate your wedding. It’s personal (oftentimes entertaining) and can save on officiant fees.
19. Simplify Your Floral Arrangements
Choose in-season flowers and consider using more greenery than flowers. Greenery is often cheaper and can create a lush, elegant look.
If you’re not a real flower lover, it might even be better not to have any floral arrangements at all.
20. Book a Student Photographer
Photography students or new photographers can offer excellent services at a lower price. Be sure to check their portfolio before booking.
You can even ask a friend with a camera if they would be willing to take photographs of your wedding day.
21. Limit the Bar Offerings
Instead of offering a full open bar, limit the selections to beer, wine, and a couple of signature cocktails.
22. Opt for a Shorter Ceremony
Less time often translates to lower venue rental fees. A streamlined ceremony can also reduce costs associated with officiants, musicians, and other service providers who often charge by the hour.
23. Plan a Daytime Wedding
Daytime weddings can be less expensive than evening events. You can save on lighting and decoration costs. Moreover, your venue will happily discount Sunday afternoon weddings.
24. Skip the Rehearsal Dinner
Instead of a formal rehearsal dinner, have a casual get-together or BBQ at home with your bridal party and family.
25. Use a Public Space for Photos
Instead of renting a studio or fancy location for your wedding photos, take advantage of beautiful public spaces like parks or city landmarks.
26. Simplify the Menu
Limit the number of courses and opt for simpler dishes. A well-prepared, simple menu can be just as delicious and memorable.
27. DIY Hair and Makeup
If you’re confident in your skills or have a talented friend, consider doing your own hair and makeup.
28. Buy in Bulk
Purchase items like alcohol, decorations, and party favors in bulk to save money. Wholesale stores like Costco or Sam’s Club can offer significant discounts for your cheap wedding party.
29. Host a Virtual Wedding
For those with loved ones who are far away or if you want to keep the guest list small, consider a virtual wedding. Platforms like Zoom or Google Meet can host the event, and you can still have a small, in-person ceremony.
30. Host the Ceremony and Reception at the Same Venue
Having both the ceremony and reception at the same location can save on transportation time/costs and venue fees. This way, you can have a low-cost outdoor ceremony that doesn’t require as much decoration and it will allow more time for you to spend with your guests.
How Do I Make a Wedding Look Expensive?
Creating an affordable wedding that looks expensive involves strategic planning, creativity, and attention to detail. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by focusing on a few key areas where luxury can be simulated without breaking the bank.
First, prioritize the venue. Choose a cheap wedding location that has natural beauty or architectural charm, such as a park, garden, or historic building. These venues often require less decoration, as their inherent beauty serves as a stunning backdrop.
Next, consider your decor. Instead of splurging on expensive floral arrangements, opt for in-season flowers and greenery to create lush, full centerpieces and bouquets. Incorporate string lights, candles, and elegant table settings to add a touch of sophistication to the wedding. These elements can create a warm, romantic ambiance that feels luxurious without the high price tag. DIY projects can also play a crucial role; handcrafting items such as invitations, place cards, and favors not only cuts costs but also adds a personal, bespoke touch to your wedding.
When it comes to attire, focus on simplicity and timeless elegance. Rather than purchasing a brand-new designer wedding dress, consider buying a pre-owned gown, renting a dress, or choosing a simple, classic design that can be dressed up with accessories. For instance, choosing a neutral color palette and adding matching accessories can create a chic, unified look. So make sure to keep that in mind when you go thrifting.
Lastly, sparklers are a cool bonus that can add a fun and exciting flare to your first dance or create a memorable send off at the end of the night. They are low cost, safe and bring with them a feeling of grandeur for all your guests.
Keep It Boujee & Affordable with Buffy’s Beats
Lastly, hiring a talented DJ can provide excellent entertainment without the high fees of bands or well-known performers. If you’re in or around the greater St. Louis area, we might have the perfect DJ for you.
At Buffy’s Beats we offer an unforgettable entertainment experience, and our wedding DJ packages are comfortably within your budget. Our services include a variety of DJ enhancements such as, dancing on the clouds, karaoke, uplighting, and ceremony sound equipment. With personalized planning and customization, we will make sure that your wedding is exactly what you’ve envisioned.
If you’re ready to shake it on your dance floor, contact us and we’ll take care of all the details to ensure your special day is everything you’ve dreamed of.
