How to Plan a Wedding on a Small Budget

Weddings are an expensive affair. And nowadays, many modern couples are opting for budget-friendly weddings to save on costs and invest in the future they’re about to spend with each other. That’s why 5-Minute Crafts has compiled some simple yet effective ways to plan out your budget wedding, step by step. Read on to learn more.

1. Prioritize your budget.

Decide on a budget and stick to it, which simply means you shouldn’t spend more than what you have. You may also have to reduce your monthly expenses or take up a part-time job to add more to the budget.

2. Choose an off-season wedding date.

Getting married on a weekday can actually save you a lot of money. Also, winter weddings can be a huge money saver too, as most of the venues don’t host events in that season. Also, avoid choosing a wedding date around a major holiday.

• You can also consider hosting a brunch wedding since it will help you save money for a daytime event, and brunch prices are lower as well.

3. Lower your guest count.

The smaller your guest list, the less your expenses would be. Also, you’ll be able to give your guests a better experience. There will be more chances to make special memories with each of them.

4. Choose a venue that will cost you absolutely nothing.

If you have a big backyard or have someone in your family who has open land, you can save a lot of money by organizing an at-home wedding. And basic arrangements, like tents, chairs, and tables, can be rented at a cheaper rate too.

5. Use a local restaurant to cater your wedding.

A traditional caterer will charge you for service, cleanup, setup, dishes, and other fees as well. But when you hire a local restaurant, they’ll have their own serving dishes, plus, they also come with affordable food options to choose from.

6. Ask your talented friends and family members for wedding help.

Instead of hiring professionals for decor, designing invitations, or making a wedding cake, you can always reach out to trusted, near, and dear friends and family for wedding favors. The gist is to ask for wedding favors instead of wedding gifts. It saves you a lot of money and ensures an easy wedding.

• Perhaps you have a graphic designer friend who can help you design and print digital invitations, or you may have a brother who is a professional photographer who can click your precious moments. You could also have your aunt who happens to be great at baking prepare a wedding cake. Just make sure that they’re willing to help you out and don’t feel forced to perform favors.

• If you have someone in your family who has their own restaurant, you can ask them to cater your big day too.

7. Opt for DIY decor, invites, and cakes.

Instead of hiring professionals to manage these aspects, it’s always easy and fun to DIY. There are a lot of 5-Minute Crafts videos available that will help you adorn your wedding venue in no time. There are also many videos on DIYing invites along with wedding cake ideas available to help you save a lot of money.

• If you don’t want a traditional wedding cake, you can go a bit unconventional by opting for a dessert buffet.
• For decor, you can also consider borrowing some essentials from your loved ones, like fancy furniture pieces, cake stands, music-related items, vintage cars, spare reception flats, and a lot more. Just make sure to treat everything with care and return things in the same condition you borrowed them in.

8. Buy a sample bridal gown.

The sample bridal gowns are the pieces that brides try on in showrooms before they order their own customized versions. As these gowns have the sole purpose of being tried on, they’re sold at deeply discounted rates. So consider getting a sample gown instead of a special-ordered designer piece from an exclusive showroom.

• You can also choose to rent your wedding attire instead of buying it.

9. Rent tuxedoes as a group or wear matching suits.

When you rent multiple tuxedoes from the same showroom, it increases the chances for discounts. If this option is not available, all the groomsmen can don the same color suit or choose to get creative with a theme, as is shown in the image above.

10. Be your own DJ.

You can include your favorite songs and mixes, and spruce up your big day by being your own wedding DJ. You can also curate various playlists according to the events and special moments, labeling them in chronological order to keep the chaos at bay.

• Make sure to do a dry run a day or 2 before the wedding to avoid unforeseen hassles.
• Also, go premium on the music app you’ll be using. You don’t want to be disrupted by ads in-between moments and risk ruining the mood. Download every song you’re adding to the playlists.

11. Do what feels right for you.

If you don’t want to toss your wedding bouquet, don’t do it. If you don’t want to have a cake, then don’t have one. Ultimately, your wedding is all about you and your partner’s priorities. Don’t be so serious about fulfilling people’s expectations — just follow your heart when it comes to planning your big day and make it special in your own way.