Wedding Ideas On A Budget + Ways To Save Money

Wedding ideas on a budget for anyone looking to save money while still having the most perfect and memorable day!

I can’t tell you how often I said, “How can anyone afford this?” when we started planning my daughter’s wedding. From the cost of the venue to the food, it was all so expensive. There are ways to save and still have the day you always dreamed of. We’re sharing our wedding ideas on a budget and tips that saved us thousands of dollars!

Let me start by saying we had help and a lot of it. Some truly amazing people offered to do things for free or at an affordable price. So, you’ll see this advice suggested a lot below. In our experience, people are happy to help – they want to help! In addition to accepting these generous gifts of time and energy from family and friends, we bought the wine from Costco and Trader Joe’s, ordered the cake from Publix, and let go of some of the things we wanted.

We’re sharing many tips in this post, but I can honestly say that the thing that saved us the most money on my daughter’s wedding was help from friends and family!

Wedding Ideas On A Budget

I’m no wedding expert, so this isn’t a comprehensive guide to having a budget wedding. However, it’s how we saved money on my daughter’s wedding, so we know these strategies work, and they saved us thousands of dollars.

Be Willing To Compromise

Being open-minded and willing to compromise is crucial when planning a wedding on a budget.

For example, instead of focusing on having the best and most expensive things, be willing to compromise and choose a few things you want the most. For example, my daughter wanted fireworks at the reception. They were an extra $500, so we budgeted for that by saving money in other areas. She and Drew were easy to work with and willing to compromise, which made the entire process more enjoyable while saving money.

Affordable Wedding Food

A simple, approachable menu and help from friends and family will save money on food.

Ask for help. Do you know an excellent cook? Ask if they would be willing to prepare the food. My sister was a caterer and graciously offered to do all the food for my daughter’s wedding. It was her gift to the kids. Don’t know anyone? Local Facebook groups are a great place to find wedding ideas on a budget, and they often have recommendations for local chefs and caterers.
Choose simple and affordable food. We chose good old-fashioned Southern comfort food for the menu, and here’s what may surprise you. Several venue employees pulled us aside and said the food was the best they’d ever seen. When the professionals who help execute weddings daily tell you people want easy, unpretentious food – that’s a big statement! If you’re set on fancy, expensive food, you might want to rethink that.
For the cocktail hour, we served cheese and crackers, charcuterie, nuts, and fresh fruit. It was easy to grab and eat while the guests mingled. The food tables were all decorated with extra flowers and greenery we bought for the wedding. We purchased the wine from Costco and Trader Joe’s, and the cake was from Publix because everyone knows Publix makes the best cakes!

Affordable Wedding Flowers

Buy your florals and either do it yourself or ask for help.

When my daughter did the Disney college program, she made best friends for life. One of those friends had a mother who was a florist, and she offered to do all the flowers for the wedding, which was incredibly generous and kind. She sent us a list of what she needed, and we purchased everything from a local wholesale flower shop. It saved us so much money, and she did a fantastic job, as you can see in the photos!
Do you have a creative friend who makes beautiful arrangements for their home? Ask them to help with the flowers. They don’t have to be an expert. All it takes is creativity and a good eye. Also, social media is an excellent source for finding tutorials and wedding ideas on a budget. There are thousands of free videos showing you how to put together gorgeous bouquets!

Wedding Gowns On A Budget

My daughter found her dream dress at a popup that came to town, and we ended up paying a fraction of what we would have at an expensive bridal boutique. Depending on your budget, you have many options.

Consider altering the vintage gown your mother or grandmother wore.
Shop at a department store where you can find gorgeous dresses at a fraction of the price.
Ask to buy a floor sample at a boutique or department store. They can be highly discounted!
Opt for a simple style, which usually costs less, and jazz it up with accessories.
Local thrift stores often have unique dress options at low prices.
Consider buying a used wedding dress locally or online at Stillwhite, Nearly Newlywed, Borrowing Magnolia.

Wedding Photography Cost

The photographer can be one of the most expensive things at your wedding, but there are ways to save.

Photographers specializing in portraits and couples are more affordable than wedding photographers.
Look for photographers who specialize in courthouse weddings.
Post your specific request and budget in your local Facebook group.
Use Guestpix or put disposable cameras on the tables so guests can take pictures. Candid shots are fun!
Skip the getting ready and after-party photos. These aren’t going to be the ones you frame.
Book by the hour, not half-day or full-day. Choose the photos that are the most important to you, and schedule them close together. For example, if you want the ceremony and the first dance photographed, do the dance before speeches, which consume a lot of time and aren’t typically photographed. Schedule your day strategically, and book your photographer for as short of a window as possible.

Wedding Venue On A Budget

This can either be the most expensive or cheapest part of your wedding.

Some of the best ideas for having a wedding on a budget come from people you know, especially regarding the venue. Do you have a friend that has a fantastic backyard? Do you know someone who lives on the beach or beautiful farm? If so, you may already have the perfect venue that you could use for free! Local Facebook groups are another great place to ask about affordable venues.
I looked at the photo above from my daughter’s wedding and thought this could be ANY farm. Just look at those views! Instead of thinking, “A farm wedding is all I can afford,” change your mindset to, “I’m going to rock this farm wedding, and it’s going to be PERFECT!”

Renting Wedding Supplies

Depending on the venue, you may or may not have to rent supplies and decor.

Our venue included what we needed, but I threw my daughter’s bridal shower at my house and needed several large tables, chairs, and linens, which were surprisingly expensive to rent. I went directly to the Nashville wedding Facebook group and asked for suggestions. Ultimately, I found the sweetest woman who took care of everything, including delivery, setup, and returning to pick it up for less than $200. She was a lifesaver!
Dollar Tree was a goldmine for supplies. All the gold chargers you see on the tables came from Dollar Tree, juice cafes for a mimosa bar, silver serving utensils, and so much more.

Utilize Local Facebook Groups

Local Facebook groups had some of the best wedding ideas on a budget, and they love to share them!

There are dozens of Facebook groups and forums where people are already asking the same questions you probably have. Some of the suggestions in these groups are brilliant! These were the best sources for finding small, local businesses and creatives, and we would prefer to support them over big box stores.

Honeymoon Budget

It’s all coming out of the same pot, so saving on your wedding will leave more for the honeymoon budget.

Let’s say you have a total wedding budget of $10,000 but also want to take a honeymoon. Choose which one is more important. Consider leaving out some of the expensive details like a huge cake, paper invitations, an open bar, or valet parking, just to name a few. It can add up to significant savings, leaving you more in the bucket for your honeymoon!

I hope this post has given you some helpful ideas for having a wedding on a budget. If you have any suggestions, please share them in the comments below!

I hope this is helpful! If you have any tips you'd like to share, please let us know in the comments below. Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, and sign up for my email list so you don’t miss anything new. Thanks for being here, friends ♥

Wedding Ideas On A Budget + Ways To Save Money

Wedding ideas on a budget for anyone looking to save money while still having the most perfect and memorable day!