With wedding costs averaging over $30K, it can feel like an impossible task for some couples to plan a wedding on a budget. But we have some good news: it can be done. Thousands of couples have incredible weddings every year without sacrificing on style or going over budget, and you can do it too. All it takes is planning ahead and a little savvy. See our guide on how to plan a wedding on budget below.
With wedding costs averaging over $30K, it can feel like an impossible task for some couples to plan a wedding on a budget. But we have some good news: it can be done. Thousands of couples have incredible weddings every year without sacrificing on style or going over budget, and you can do it too. All it takes is planning ahead and a little savvy. See our guide on how to plan a wedding on budget below.
The first step to planning your wedding on a budget is to figure out what the “budget” is:
After you set your budget, begin to build your guest list. While we understand that you might want to invite many people to your celebration, bear in mind that the more people you invite, the more you spend. Here are a few tricks to help you trim your guest list:
The average cost of a wedding and vendor prices vary a lot by location. For example, a wedding florist in Los Angeles, CA might be less expensive compared to vendors in Boston, MA or Tampa, FL. Do a little research to figure out typical costs in your area and what percentage of your total budget should be allocated to the vendors you absolutely need to pull off your wedding day. A lot of couples experience sticker shock when they receive price quotes from vendors. Knowing what to expect will help you stay within budget and let you start to hone in on areas where you might be able to cut costs.
Speaking of cutting costs, a great way to scale back on spending is to figure out what’s important to you as a couple and prioritize those areas. For example, your wedding day vision might place great food as a focal point. In that case, set aside a larger portion of your budget for booking a wedding caterer with a great reputation. On the other hand, if live music isn’t going to make or break your ideal celebration, you can explore DIY options like creating your own playlist and broadcasting it over a speaker using a laptop or cell phone.
We recommend that you and your partner each list your top three priorities for the wedding day separately, and then come together to discuss your lists. This will give you the opportunity to think about what’s most important to you without influencing each other, after which you can begin to talk through how you will allocate your wedding funds.
A common strategy for couples planning a wedding on a budget is to think outside of the box. Here are a few ways you might save: