Weddings On A Budget

"Wedding planning is so cheap!" Said no one ever.

Weddings are not a frugal enterprise, and it's not getting any cheaper. It can be hard having to pick and choose the things you can have at your wedding when you're on a tight budget, and it can cause tremendous anxiety. While I don't have the answers to every budget crises, there are a few ways you can skirt the big price tag of top notch wedding paraphernalia to achieve your wedding dream!

1) Light it Up

String lights are a surefire way to add warmth, whimsy, and a romantic touch to every wedding. A few ways to add lights to your wedding:

-Go thrifting for a variety of glass jars and bowls (spend $1-$10 depending on the size of jar you'd like, or ask around for people to donate jars)

-Buy led fairy lights (get a pack of 24 for $25.99 at Amazon)

-Add the lights into the jars

You can add these anywhere!

-Line your aisle with different size jars to give a romantic feel while walking down the aisle, and save money on extra flowers that you would've had to add otherwise.

-Use a variety of small to medium jars as centerpieces for a whimsy feel

-Replace glass jars with empty wine bottles to soften the look of your dessert, guestbook, or gift table

-Add in rose petals or other greenery to add some color

The options are endless, so be creative with it!

Lastly, try using lights as a backdrop to your wedding arch, bridal table, or wind them around trees to add more sparkle to your setup!

2) Choose your florals wisely

Florals are one of those things that add up, and can put a huge dent in your wallet once you account for the boutonnières, bridesmaid's bouquets, corsages, etc. If you want to lower the cost of your florals...

-Use more greenery instead of flowers themselves! Eucalyptus and baby's breath (gypsophila) are both cost effective and lovely fillers for any bouquet or accent decor.

-Save the more expensive flowers for your bouquet, and use more greenery for your bridesmaids! They'll complement any bouquet and will make yours stand out event more

-Check out this flower price guide to see which florals fit within your budget

3) Use Your Resources

Have a friend who knows calligraphy? Is your dad good at building things? Do you have a friend of a friend who is amazing at hair and makeup? Use the people around you to cut down on hiring extra vendors!

- If you know someone who has great penmanship, have them create your signage (seating charts, guest book signage, directional signs)

- If you have a family member who is great at building things, consider having them create your wedding arch or various signage; they could probably customize for you, too!

Below is a gorgeous succulent planter that the father of a bride made for one of my clients (and yes, those are LIVE succulents):

Having said that, there are definitely some aspects of your wedding that you should NOT use friends and family for. There are parts to weddings that just need to be done by a professional vendor--period. I suggest using ONLY professional vendors for:

-Photography: Having a photographer who knows how to compose, pose, use natural light, and edit photos will make a HUGE difference. Photos are some of the only things for the wedding that you'll be able to have as a keepsake for the rest of your life; so invest in a good photographer! See the difference a professional photographer can make versus a non-professional photographer.

-Videography: Same above! Videographers do so much more than what your uncle does when he pulls out his old camcorder to record all 5 hours of your wedding. Editing, cinematography, and angles are just a few areas of expertise that videographers have to offer to create stunning videos.

-DJ/MC: Being a DJ involves way more than pushing "play" on your Spotify playlist. The DJ/MC is responsible for engaging your guests during the reception and ensuring that transitions are done well. Additionally, a dance party is only as good as the DJ behind it! Knowing how to choose music, fade in and out, and mix music is key to a DJ's job. And the last thing to note--just because someone can DJ does not mean they can MC. Get a professional who does both.

-Catering: Make sure the caterer you choose has catered weddings before, as it looks different from catering other parties and events. Serving food to a large crowd has its tricks!

-Wedding Coordinator: Wedding planning/coordinating involves A LOT; aside from coordinating vendors on the day of, they're in charge of making sure everyone is on time, keeping everyone on time, troubleshooting EVERY problem that arises, communicating with every vendor, managing guests, protecting the bride and groom from unwanted scenarios, playing therapist (at times), and having knowledge about all parts of the wedding process, including vendor policies. It is a MUST HAVE for every wedding. I say this not just because it's my job, but because it's true--and every wedding vendor will tell you the same thing. How stressful or smooth each wedding goes is highly dependent on the coordinator in charge.

I've heard many people dismiss this with the thought that their family member or friend can take on the coordinator job on the day of, and while I appreciate the resourcefulness, I must warn against it. In my years both as a wedding planner and wedding attender, I've seen a lot of weddings go sideways with a friend or family member in charge. As much as they want to be helpful, often times emotions can get in the way, which can cause conflict with the couple, other guests, and vendors. Why not have them enjoy the wedding instead? Having a professional coordinator who's only serving the best interest of the couple, and who is constantly thinking of and planning for situations that the everyday layman wouldn't need to consider, is essential for a stress-free and well run wedding (and a happy couple!)

4) Dessert Bar

More and more couples these days are opting for a dessert bar over a fancy wedding cake, which can be both fun and cost effective!

Try opting for single portion desserts, like donuts, cookies, candy bags, to save on the cost of a cake. Or, have a variety!

Try having a cookie tower with a small bridal cake (so that you can still smash cake in your partner's face!) without the cost of a multi-tiered cake. Have different family members or friends contribute to your wedding planning by baking different kinds of cookies!

Donuts make you go nuts? Now more than ever, donuts are becoming more and more popular at weddings. They're self-contained, don't require cutlery, and make a beautiful display. And if you're a pun-lover, you can go crazy with all of the donut play-on-words signage for the table.

Having a rustic, outdoor, or boho wedding? Or do you just love s'mores? Create a s'mores bar! Not only is this a budget friendly way to provide dessert at your wedding, but it's a fun and engaging way for your guests to enjoy the evening.

Want to spruce it up a bit? Add different kinds of candy--Reeses, Oreos, Crunch bars--to make your bar more elaborate.

These are just a few suggestions, but when in doubt, research on Pinterest for some super creative alternative ideas.

5) Food food food

Next to the venue, the food at your wedding will probably always be your highest cost. And while it's always a good idea to feed your guests at your wedding, here are a few ways to trim the cost:

-Plan for a breakfast wedding: Breakfast food is often cheaper than traditional wedding dinners, and is a fun way to shake up tradition.

-Serve hors d'oeuvres instead of a full meal: To avoid having to serve a full plated meal, consider having your wedding earlier in the day, between meals. Have your wedding reception held 2:00 or 3:00pm and set to end around 5:00 or 6:00pm to get around serving dinner. Having a well stocked hors d'oeuvres spread around the reception area will allow your guests to snack and keep busy without being hangry and bored.

-Food Truck: Not only are food trucks fun and modern, most food trucks offer a much lower price per person than catering companies. Taco trucks, burgers, or BBQ are fun and budget friendly ways to feed your guests, and don't require you to provide cutlery or plates. Just make sure that your venue is okay with this option.

-Outside Catering: When venue shopping, be sure to look at the catering policy if you are concerned about budget. Many venues require you to use the venue's caterer, and will not allow outside catering. This can drive up the cost of your wedding, as most in-house caterers charge upwards of $20 per guest. Choosing a venue that allows outside catering gives you more flexibility in choosing a food option that fits your budget.

There are so many ways to DIY and choose alternatives to lower the cost of your wedding! Want more ideas? Let me know!