A beautiful wedding, on a budget
Planning a wedding is stressful and putting together a budget for everything can be overwhelming. The average cost of a wedding in the United States is currently $29,000. A lot of couples can’t, or don’t want to, spend so much money on their event. I can honestly say that the amount of money you spend on your wedding does not have to determine the quality of your experience. For those budget minded couples, there are plenty of ways to save money on the various aspects of your special day. By handling some of the high-ticket items yourself, and having family/friends lend a hand as well, you can put together a beautiful and memorable wedding day without breaking the bank.
A couple whose wedding I recently photographed is the inspiration for this blog. The bride wanted a beautiful wedding and was able to make it happen, in her own backyard, without spending a fortune. Let’s breakdown the areas where a lot of money can be saved.
#1 - The Venue
On average, couples spend between $12,000 and $14,000 on a venue alone. By hosting the ceremony in your own backyard, your costs are reduced to renting a tent (if needed) and tables/chairs for your guests. Of course some couples don’t have a backyard suitable for a ceremony, or want a more scenic location. National or State Parks are another option that can save you a lot of money. You may need a permit to host your wedding on these public lands, but they are usually only between $50-$200.
Doing things yourself can make them more personal as well. The arch in this image was build by driftwood the couple had collected themselves. The bride also crafted the table settings and various other decorations that really brought the environment together.
#2 - Catering
Feeding your wedding guests is another high ticket item. With an average of $75 per person, catering for even 50 guests quickly adds up to thousands of dollars. One option to save in this area is to do a Pot Luck reception where guests each bring a dish. In this particular wedding, the bride baked deserts herself and various guests brought different options for food. The amount of food added up quickly and no one, not even the photographer, went home hungry!
Some couples may feel awkward asking guests to bring food to their wedding. I think most would be surprised how willing individuals actually are to contribute to your special day.
#3 - All the Small Things
The first two items we covered were the higher ticket items that usually make up a large portion of wedding costs. The other, smaller, items can also add up to thousands as well though. For example, several weddings I’ve attended this year have saved on an officiant by having a family member or friend perform the ceremony. Another item that can vary greatly in cost is a DJ or live music. In the backyard wedding I attended, the couple used a large Bluetooth speaker and had a friend control the music for the ceremony. They put together a separate playlist to let play during the reception.
Make it Yours.
Whatever the budget is for your wedding, remember that the most important thing about the day is to be with those you love to share in your special day. If you’re on a smaller budget, I encourage you to sit down with those closest to you and go over what items are the most important. Decide which things that you absolutely want to have covered, and look for ways to save money on the other areas.