Wedding budgeting

Choose potted plants or other items you will keep after the wedding instead of cut flowers.

You avoid spending money for just one day by getting things worthwhile to have afterwards.

one person who lived it

Serve tapas-style finger foods instead of a full meal.

You can make inexpensive food that appears to be a huge spread.

one person who lived it

Ask relatives and friends to contribute food for a shared meal gathering.

• one perspective argues against potlucks because guests should not have to make their own food

4 people, independently

Use local grocery store florists for simple clutch bouquets.

They can cover costs really cheaply.

one person who lived it

Consider a potluck-style bridal shower where guests bring dishes.

It saves time and money.

one person who lived it

Hire friends for roles like waiters or catering to reduce labor and food costs.

one person who lived it

Buy silk flowers at craft stores using coupons and place them in inexpensive glass containers.

This allows for advance preparation and the arrangements can be reused or sold later.

one person who lived it

Create your own centerpieces to save money compared to hiring a vendor.

DIY centerpieces saved tons of money.

one person who lived it

Make origami or paper flowers for bouquets to skip floral costs.

3 people, independently

• Make your own corsages and boutonnieres by reusing fake flowers, picking fresh ones from the garden, or crafting fabric flowers.1
• Gather local flowers for decorations and arrange a bouquet using discounted fake flowers.1

Buy table runners and votive candles online instead of renting them.

Buying saved money compared to renting.

one person who lived it

• Source inexpensive candles, table linens, and LED uplighting rentals from dedicated budget vendors.1

Serve no alcohol or limit the bar to specific drinks like wine, bloody marys, screwdrivers, and champagne to reduce costs.

3 people, independently

Build a DIY arch using an inexpensive hardware store kit and fake flowers from a discount store.

one person who lived it

• Build your own wedding arch using natural materials like trimmed branches and antlers instead of buying one.1

Replace a traditional cake with a dessert bar featuring cupcakes made by family.

It is cheap and everyone gets 'cake'.

one person who lived it

Purchase flowers from hardware stores and arrange them in mason jars, supplementing with local greenery and wildflowers.

This approach helps trim the floral budget.

one person who lived it

Ask your church if you can use their existing chairs and only rent covers.

one person who lived it

Send invitations as postcards to save on postage.

Postage for postcards is cheaper than regular invitations.

2 people, independently

Ask family members to prepare the wedding food as their gift to the couple.

one person who lived it

Serve cupcakes or donuts on a tower with inexpensive toppers instead of a traditional tiered cake.

It is easier for guests to grab and eliminates awkward slicing.

one person who lived it

Provide lawn games during cocktail hour to keep guests busy and away from the bar.

one person who lived it

Serve hot meals like baked spaghetti with cheap, easy sides such as salad and bread.

one person who lived it

Serve cold pasta salad, cold cuts, cheese, rolls, and crudité trays as a foundation for a potluck-style dinner.

one person who lived it

Pay a friend for supplies to bake homemade cupcakes instead of buying a professional cake.

one person who lived it

Pull in favors from people you know in the restaurant industry to secure discounts and priority seating.

one person who lived it

Host a 'stock the bar' engagement party where guests contribute alcohol that will be served at the reception.

one person who lived it

Hire bartenders and servers separately from the caterer, buy your own alcohol, and rent your own furniture.

one person who lived it

Cook your own dinner for post-event gatherings to save money, avoid reservation hassles, and create a fun experience with friends.

one person who lived it

Hand-wash dishes in plastic totes with a volunteer dishwashing line to avoid rental or disposal fees.

one person who lived it

Consider supermarket cupcakes if they are from a high-quality brand like Byerly's.

one person who lived it

Ask family and friends to contribute toward specific small expenses like flowers or decorations instead of giving traditional presents.

one person who lived it

Make DIY decorations using inexpensive materials like painted pots, old glass bottles, or thrifted items.

3 people, independently

Give wildflower seed bookmarks or charity donation cards as wedding favors instead of traditional gifts.

one person who lived it

Avoid comparing your wedding plans or costs to those of friends or peers.

People often feel pressured to have more elaborate weddings than their friends.

one person who lived it

Serve only one type of alcohol or a single signature cocktail to avoid the cost of an open bar.

It prevents splurging on a full open bar setup.

one person who lived it

Check local park regulations regarding alcohol permits before hosting a reception there.

It is a good bet that no alcohol is allowed in parks, though some state parks allow it with a temporary liquor license.

• Regulations vary; some parks prohibit alcohol entirely while others require a temporary license.

one person who lived it

Have a quick, tasteful wedding to avoid strange events meant to stroke the couple's ego.

They are comfortable, involve no waiting around, and avoid strange events meant to stroke the couple's ego.

one person who lived it

Request standard menu options instead of a special 'wedding menu' when booking restaurant venues.

Wedding menus may offer fewer choices, fewer courses, and no coffee while costing more per person.

one person who lived it

Decide independently how to spend your money on weddings and do not let others guilt you into spending beyond your means.

To avoid sinking parents and friends into debt to satisfy your ego.

one person who lived it

Do not give personalized gifts like engraved signs or cutting boards.

They are completely useless and hard to use.

one person who lived it

If you already live with your partner and do not need household items, skip the wedding registry and accept cash gifts to help pay for wedding and honeymoon expenses.

Cash gifts helped offset costs that otherwise led to debt.

one person who lived it

If you are financially struggling, do not buy a wedding gift; your attendance is enough.

The host cares more about seeing you attend than receiving a gift, and wants to avoid overburdening you.

one person who lived it

Select a venue with existing decor like dark wood and accent lighting to avoid decorating.

The decor is beautiful and ready to go.

one person who lived it

Inform dry cleaners explicitly that an item is a wedding dress before dropping it off.

Cleaners may take fewer precautions if they are unaware of the item's critical nature, potentially leading to damage.

one person who lived it

Skip having a wedding party to avoid the costs of gifts and coordination.

4 people, independently

• Skip bachelorette parties, bridal showers, and rehearsal dinners to save money.1
• Spend less on the wedding event to invest in other priorities like home items or travel.1
• Skip having a bridal party or groomsmen entirely to reduce stress for everyone involved.1
• Elope or hold a private ceremony to eliminate guest costs, potentially using a webcam for remote viewing.1

Focus on spending on music, food, drinks, photography, and the flow of the evening rather than table details.

People remember the party experience more than the decorative details.

2 people, independently

Be honest with photographers and videographers that the event is a wedding so they can prepare appropriately with necessary equipment and staff.

Photographers prepare differently for weddings, adding shooters, lights, and specific lenses compared to random events.

3 people, independently

Search for products and ideas online without using the word 'wedding' to find cheaper options.

Items without the word 'wedding' are often cheaper.

one person who lived it

Avoid the wedding aisle at craft stores like Michaels; buy supplies like ribbon and lace elsewhere in the store to avoid markups.

The same items are available without the crazy markup found in the wedding section.

one person who lived it

Hire a professional photographer rather than relying on a friend, to avoid losing photos due to personal conflicts.

A falling out with a friend who took pictures resulted in her refusing to return the photos.

one person who lived it

Gift hair and makeup services to bridal party members instead of requiring them to pay.

To ensure they attend without worrying about surviving the month financially.

one person who lived it

Have each partner pick two or three important wedding elements and compromise on the rest.

one person who lived it

Have a backyard BBQ-style wedding with a minister to cut down on costs and get the most from enjoyment.

one person who lived it

Obtain a liability insurance policy for the event if you are serving alcohol.

There is a risk associated with drinking and driving.

one person who lived it

Choose a venue with natural scenery or existing decor to cut down on the need for additional decorations.

Beautiful venues require less decoration than plain spaces like hotel ballrooms.

2 people, independently

Purchase event liability insurance to avoid life-changing debt from accidents.

Venues may require proof of policy for entry, and skipping it risks severe financial consequences if something happens.

one person who lived it

Skip wedding favors entirely as they are often wasted and unnecessary.

Most guests do not care about them and will throw them away immediately.

2 people, independently

Limit the number of invitees, since headcount typically drives up costs for venue space, catering, and seating.

5 people, independently

Have a friend or family member officiate the ceremony for free, potentially getting ordained online if necessary.

• some states may not accept certain online ordinations due to litigation

5 people, independently

Consider eloping or having a small, private ceremony if you prefer intimacy and wish to avoid the stress of a large event.

• This approach may cause tears, shouting matches, or accusations of being cruel and selfish from others.

one person who lived it

Avoid hosting a midnight buffet, as it is rarely consumed.

Seniors usually leave early and younger guests often focus on the open bar.

one person who lived it

Check if your venue has regular entertainment available for hire, as they may offer discounts compared to external bands.

Entertainers who play at the venue regularly may provide a really good discount.

one person who lived it

Consider using the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco as a free and gorgeous wedding venue.

one person who lived it

Avoid wedding shows and magazines to prevent inflated expectations and pressure to overspend.

These sources can convince you that you must provide expensive venues and amenities to be acceptable.

one person who lived it

Do not expect guests to pay for their own attendance at a destination wedding; consider that high costs may cause friends to decline or reconsider the friendship.

one person who lived it

Pay for your bridesmaids' dresses yourself, since they are unlikely to wear them again.

one person who lived it

If you lack existing infrastructure, avoid backyard weddings because renting tents, chairs, and plates can cost more than using a hotel or banquet hall.

one person who lived it

Choose sheet cakes over traditional tiered wedding cakes, as they are often identical in quality but differ in form and price.

one person who lived it

Hire caterers who do not specialize in weddings, such as restaurants, to avoid typical wedding inflation charges.

one person who lived it

Discuss and define what you truly want for your wedding before considering traditions or external expectations.

To avoid falling into the trap of doing things just because they are expected.

one person who lived it

Book travel sooner for destination weddings to secure better prices.

Costs can fluctuate.

one person who lived it

Avoid requiring expensive matching shoes for the bridal party; suggest affordable alternatives.

Expensive matching shoes are often never worn again.

one person who lived it

Consider weather implications for outdoor summer weddings in hot climates.

Formal attire can make the experience unpleasant in high heat.

one person who lived it

Skip embroidery or personalizing on items like towels.

Personalized towels are undesirable for daily use.

one person who lived it

Rent portable toilets for outdoor venues that lack bathroom facilities.

The venue had no bathroom.

one person who lived it

Buy a dress online in a larger size and have it tailored cheaply.

2 people, independently

Vote against high ticket prices for school events if possible.

Student voting successfully reduced the price.

one person who lived it

Find a wedding dress in a bridal store, then search for and purchase it online for a discount.

one person who lived it

Buy shoes from thrift stores and make your own veil to save money.

one person who lived it

Spend money on things you personally like and skip things you do not care about.

one person who lived it

Do not feel pressured to wear makeup or give an expensive gift if you cannot afford it.

Attendees do not judge others for their financial ability to attend.

one person who lived it

Spend money on life experiences that are not necessary but will be unforgettable, rather than minimizing all costs.

These are life experiences you won't forget.

one person who lived it

Look for dresses at thrift stores and wait for sales to purchase them, which can reduce worry about damaging the garment.

reduces worry about getting the dress messed up

one person who lived it

Allow bridesmaids to choose their own dresses from any source as long as they match the color scheme.

one person who lived it

• Coordinate bridesmaid dress colors without requiring identical dresses.1

Go on an urban hike to explore new neighborhoods for a free, active outing.

one person who lived it

Recruit friends with specific skills, such as photography, videography, or music, to volunteer their services.

They will feel useful and it serves as a bonding experience.

one person who lived it

Play music from a personal device and speakers instead of hiring a DJ or band.

one person who lived it

Rent tuxedos from small local alterations shops for better prices.

They often provide rentals at lower costs than major retailers.

one person who lived it

Have a friend act as MC to introduce people and manage music playback.

one person who lived it

Skip favors and programs.

They are unnecessary.

one person who lived it

Buy an engagement ring that fits your budget, ignoring marketing claims about salary multiples.

Such claims are considered marketing misinformation.

one person who lived it

Invite only the people you genuinely want to see, rather than those you feel guilty excluding.

one person who lived it

Determine your budget and the time required to save it before planning other details.

one person who lived it

Check with local volunteer fire departments to rent their community halls for events.

one person who lived it

Look for consignment shops in upscale neighborhoods to find designer styles.

one person who lived it

Search thrift stores and online marketplaces like Etsy, Craigslist, or eBay for prom dresses or tuxedos.

one person who lived it

Split the costs of rentals and activities among a group of friends to reduce individual expenses.

3 people, independently