This post shows you 17 budget wedding ideas.
Planning your dream wedding on a budget – we’ve got all the low budget ideas you’ll need!
A low budget wedding doesn’t mean sacrificing what you want – with careful planning and preparation you can bring your vision to life!
Whether you’re looking for tips on how to DIY décor elements or seeking inspiration for budget-friendly food options for your wedding party – we’ve got you covered!
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How to plan a Wedding on a Budget
When planning a low-budget wedding, it’s important to remember that it’s not about sacrificing key elements, but finding creative ways to achieve them at a lower cost. With thoughtful planning and smart choices, you can have the wedding you’ve always dreamed of without overspending.
Getting creative and finding DIY options for wedding components like invites, bouquets or even a ceremony arch is a perfect choice for saving funds whilst also curating personalized wedding decor and mementos.
Don’t be discouraged if you’re not particularly artistic—there are plenty of simple and affordable DIY options that anyone can handle. With a little creativity, you can still add personal touches to your wedding without the need for expert crafting skills.
What is a Budget Wedding?
A budget wedding is a wedding planned with a specific focus on minimizing costs, this means one person’s budget wedding can be a completely different price range to another person’s budget wedding. With this in mind, the average budget wedding ranges from $5,000 – $15,000 dependent on location, guest count and personal preferences.
Here is a rough breakdown of a budget wedding:
- Venue: $1,000 – $5,000 (often cheaper for outdoor or non-traditional venues)
- Catering: $1,500 – $4,000 (self-catering or buffet-style meals can save money)
- Attire: $500 – $2,000 (off-the-rack or second-hand dresses and suits)
- Photography: $500 – $2,000 (hiring amateur or part-time photographers)
- Decorations: $200 – $1,000 (DIY or minimal décor)
- Flowers: $200 – $500 (seasonal or artificial flowers)
- Music: $200 – $800 (using a DJ or curated playlist)
Budget Wedding Ideas
1. Centerpiece
Table centerpieces can be quite a significant expense, but by creating your own you can save money whilst also creating personal touches for your guests to enjoy. Decor elements such as glass candle holders and seasonal flowers are perfect for creating a simple yet elegant table centerpiece.
Consider exploring themes that are unique to your love story such as the same type of flowers you received your second date.
2. Simple
Create stunning aisle floral arrangements for less by sourcing your own flowers! Visit local farmers’ markets or wholesale florists to find fresh, seasonal blooms at a fraction of the cost. Faux flowers are a great and affordable option too – these are also perfect if you’re looking to prepare your flowers prior to your big day.
Use white satin ribbon for an elegant touch, or twine for a more rustic vibe to tie your flowers together and attach them to the chairs.
3. DIY
A classic wedding DIY, create your own flower vases using old jars and glass bottles. Not only is this the perfect choice for saving money but also for creating a personalized rustic touch to your wedding table decor.
Plan ahead and start collecting jars early on – ask friends and family if they can do the same and before long you’ll have your vases collected! For an extra touch purchase burlap and lace ribbon to decorate your vases.
Related: 30 Unique Summer Wedding Ideas on a Budget for you to Recreate
4. Table Decorations
Creating your own table settings might seem like a big task, but it’s a fantastic way to save on expenses while adding a personal touch to your wedding. Consider renting decor pieces to cut costs, or explore local thrift shops for donated wedding decor. Mixing and matching unique items can create a charming, rustic vibe that adds character to your tables.
Additionally, incorporating DIY elements like hand-written place cards or custom napkin rings can make each setting feel special.
5. Food
Food can contribute to a significant portion of your wedding budget but there are still plenty of ways to make this more affordable sacrificing quality. Consider serving lower-cost options like pizzas or burgers, which can be both delicious and crowd-pleasing. You can even set up a food station where your guests can customize their meal with various toppings.
6. Handmade Invitations
Creating your own handmade invitations is another innovative way to save money when planning your wedding. With lots of online templates and design tools like Canva, creating wedding invites that speak to you and your personal style is easier than ever! Whether you choose to print them at home or use a local print shop, DIY invitations can be significantly cheaper than professionally designed ones.
Creating your own invitations also gives you the opportunity to add personal details specific to your love story.
7. Flowers
Whether you’re thinking about table decor or bridal bouquets there are plenty of ways to save money on flowers. Opt for fauna seasonal to your wedding date as these are often more affordable and fresher than out-of-season alternatives. Consider buying flowers from your local market and creating your own arrangements closer to the day.
Bright and colorful bouquets can work beautifully as table centerpieces on their own.
8. Cake (Cupcakes)
A unique and cost-effective take on the wedding cake – cupcakes!
These delightful treats not only offer a fun and modern twist, but they also allow guests to choose from a variety of flavors. Cupcakes are a practical option too as they can be baked or bought in advance and are much easier to transport. You can purchase cupcakes from your local bakery or market, and if you’re feeling creative, decorate them yourself for a personal touch. Alternatively, purchase simplistically decorated cupcakes from your local supermarket.
9. Favors
Wedding favors are a lovely, personal touch for your wedding guests, but they can quickly become expensive. Instead, why not create your own? This way, you can save money while also gifting your guests a personalized item that encapsulates your love story. Go full DIY and craft usable gifts like handmade candles or bookmarks, or opt for edible treats like cookies, sweets, or even packets of seeds for guests to plant.
Keep the packaging simple when it comes to your wedding favors—something as basic as brown Kraft paper and twine can be incredibly effective and budget-friendly.
10. Small
It may seem simple, but hosting a small wedding can be a great way to save money. While it’s not always possible with bigger families and large friendship groups, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate your big day while sticking to your budget. For example, why not consider a intimate wedding ceremony and reception on the day and plan a bigger backyard celebration at a later date. This way you can still achieve your dream wedding goals whilst also including all your important guests in a more budget-friendly setting.
A registry wedding is a great option for saving on funds for your ceremony, there are lots of stunning registry offices so you’re sure to find one that suits your style!
11. Backyard
Backyard wedding celebrations are perfect for couples looking to create a relaxed, intimate atmosphere while keeping costs down
This can give you the freedom to personalize every detail in a way that many venues won’t allow. A backyard wedding is also a great choice for those looking to create a rustic or boho-themed celebration. With the natural setting as your backdrop, you can incorporate elements like wooden furniture, fairy lights, wildflowers, and macramé details to bring your vision to life.
12. Classy
Budget doesn’t mean cheap— with the right preparation and decor pieces, you can create a classy wedding that feels luxurious.
By DIYing table setting pieces like place cards and table gifts, you can add a personal touch while keeping costs down. Focus on quality over quantity – choose elegant focal pieces and arrange them around lower cost items like glasses, napkins and menus.
13. Guestbook
You might want to spend a little more on a keepsake like your guestbook, but consider saving money with signage. A simple rustic guestbook sign is easy to recreate—just hand-draw your own sign or print it onto heavy cardstock for a polished look. You can then arrange it in wooden placeholders to enhance the rustic charm.
This DIY approach not only saves you money but also allows you to customize the sign to match your wedding theme.
14. Photography
Although it’s super important not to cut corners when thinking of photography for your ceremony, paying for a photographer for your entire day can be pricey. A great alternative is disposable cameras – perfect for later in the day. Place a disposable camera on each table and encourage your guests to have fun taking pictures! If you want to make the most of this there are also fun scavenger hunt style lists which you can provide with the camera to make sure you get the kind of photos you want.
Another alternative to this is using a disposable camera app like Lense where your wedding guests can take photos that automatically upload to a shared drive.
15. Menu
Wedding menus can be understandably expensive, so creating your own reception menus is a wonderful way to add a personal touch while saving money. You can design your menus to reflect your wedding theme using online design platforms like Canva, which offer a variety of templates and customization options. This allows you to incorporate your color palette, fonts, and any special graphics that resonate with your style.
16. Ceremony
A ceremony arch is a vital part of a wedding ceremony, but that doesn’t mean it has to cost a fortune. Purchasing your own arch or buying one secondhand and decorating it yourself is a perfect choice for more creative couples. This approach allows you to customize the arch to fit your theme and style, using flowers, fabric, or lights to enhance its beauty.
Alternatively, buying your own arch and paying a florist to provide the flowers can be a great compromise. This option allows you to have a beautiful, professionally arranged floral display while still keeping costs manageable.
17. Drinks
Similarly to food, drinks can significantly increase your budget. Why not buy your own beverages and present them in glass dispensers? This way, you can avoid the expense of fancy drink bottles while still achieving an aesthetically pleasing look. Glass dispensers can be filled with signature cocktails, iced tea, lemonade, or even infused water, adding a charming touch to your drink station.
Low Budget Wedding Ideas
Planning any wedding is stressful buy working within a lower budget can really add to that stress but don’t be discouraged!
With the right planning and inspiration, you can create a beautiful and memorable celebration without overspending. Start by prioritizing the elements that matter most to you, and look for creative DIY solutions or alternatives that fit your vision. Utilize online resources for ideas, and don’t hesitate to ask friends and family for help.
By staying organized and flexible, you can transform your dream wedding into a reality while enjoying the planning process!
You may also like:
- 30 Unique Summer Wedding Ideas on a Budget for you to Recreate
- 15 Stunning Wedding Decor Ideas on a Budget
- 30 Unique Summer Wedding Ideas on a Budget for you to recreate
- 15 Stunning Wedding Decor Ideas on a Budget
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This post shows you 15 budget wedding ideas.
