Planning a wedding can be so stressful, but planning a budget friendly wedding, that’s tough. Being a wedding photographer, I’ve seen it all. Not only that, but I was a bride who planned a wedding on a budget, so I’ve been there. Throughout this budget friendly wedding guide, I’m breaking down where to splurge, and where to save!

Set a Budget

No one tells you how expensive weddings can be, so when you get to planning yours, it’s shocking. First, when planning your budget friendly wedding, plan a budget. Sit down with your fiance, mom, dad, grandma, whoever is paying for the wedding. This conversation has to happen before all the planning, to help ensure you stay on track. No one wants to get a second job to pay for the flowers!

Where to Splurge and Save for Your Budget Friendly Wedding

Save $$

Let’s talk about where we’re going to save you money for your budget friendly wedding. This day is supposed to be the best day of your life, and I’m going to make sure it stays that way. Throughout the planning process, you may get overwhelmed or unsure whether something is a good or bad deal. One of my favorite budget friendly hacks is for flowers.

Flowers

Oddly enough, flowers can be super pricey! But, if you buy them from a wholesale club like (Sam’s Club or Costco) you can get them at great prices. Later, you’ll put the flowers together for centerpieces, bouquets, etc. This is a great budget friendly option, and a great place to save $$.

Budget Friendly Cake

Next up, the cake. Cake can be another piece of the puzzle that can be more expensive. Getting a cake at a wholesale club is another great way to save money. However, who says you have to have cake for your budget friendly dream wedding cake? Skip the cake, and have cookies instead, or make cupcakes! Not only is this a fun and unique wedding idea, but it could save some money too. Cookies could also double as wedding favors!

The Dress

While the wedding dress seems like the one thing you should splurge on, I’m going to tell you why it isn’t. Not only is the dress only going to be worn once, but you can totally find your dream dress for a reasonable price. David’s Bridal has great sales on their beautiful gowns throughout the year, if you’re wanting to buy a dress of your own, this is a great option.

Another option, rent a dress. This may sound crazy, but tons of brides rent their wedding dresses out for anywhere from $200-$500. While this may not seem ideal, hear me out. You don’t have to worry about getting the dress preserved and dry cleaned to perfection to stuff in a closet or under your bed. You won’t have it just hanging in your closet waiting for you to do something with it (which is where a lot of bridal gowns end up).

Renting the dress gives you the dress of your dreams for all the pretty pictures and on your dream day. Then you get it cleaned and give it back. Your budget friendly wedding will be that much better, being able to spend money elsewhere.

Budget Friendly Wedding Decor

Throughout your planning process, I’m sure you have been on Pinterest pinning your perfect day, down to the perfect centerpieces for your wedding. A lot of other brides have been doing the same thing, and have had similar ideas and visions to you, and have already gotten married. Now, they’re selling their decor on Facebook Marketplace, to brides like YOU! Scour Facebook groups, marketplace, and bridal pages for decor. You’ll be surprised to see what people are selling, and might be able to find the perfect decor for your dream day!

Here’s a Few Things You Can Do Without..

Elaborate Wedding Favors

Let’s skip the fancy jams, and the personalized napkins. Your wedding guests won’t use them, or will forget to grab them from their table when they leave. Instead, make homemade cookies, give a small bag of little kisses, or even a small package of flower seeds they can take home and grow. Keep wedding favors, simple, practical and low cost.

Planning any wedding and all the details gets confusing and frustrating, planning your budget friendly wedding doesn’t have to! Skip all the fancy extras, and focus on what matters most, and why everyone is coming together. Not for the fancy gifts, but to see you on the happiest day of your life.

Wedding Dinner

Food is expensive, especially for a lot of people. Why not have appetizers or desserts instead? Your guests can mingle, dance and have a little something to eat. The simpler you go, the more enjoyable your day will be.

Still want to have a dinner but keep the budget low? A nacho bar. It’s the perfect budget friendly meal that everyone will love. Your guests will be able to customize them to their liking and you’ll have a delicious meal after saying, ‘I do!’

Splurge $$$

Photography/Videography

This may not come as a surprise coming from a wedding photographer/videographer, it’s so important to find the right fit to capture your dream day. Throughout the day you won’t have to worry if Uncle Tom got the moment you became husband and wife, or if Nana got her finger in the picture. Saving money throughout your budget friendly wedding planning will be worth it in the end. When you’re looking at those pictures you are going to be so grateful you did it.

Trust me, it’ll be hard to make some changes to your vision for budget’s sake. However, once you see your wedding video for the first time, and see all the special moments that you have forever, you’ll thank me.

Wanna chat about your big wedding day? Let’s make it happen!