Wedding season is coming up, and with it, often deep debt for those getting married. In fact, the average cost of a wedding in the United States is $33,391 (Business Insider), which is a lot to spend on one day! But couples who have expensive weddings aren’t guaranteed a happy union; a recent study found just the opposite! The study of 3,000 marriages in the United States found “on the whole, the more you spend on your wedding, the more likely you are to get divorced” (Harpers Bazaar).
Of course, a frugal wedding doesn’t guarantee marital harmony, but it can get you started the right way because you won’t have stress from overspending or going in debt for your wedding. Luckily, there are many ways to cut corners and still have a memorable wedding.
Focus on What’s Important to You, Not Others
The most important thing to remember when planning is that this is YOUR wedding. You can read websites and look through bridal magazines, but remember that most of those businesses are in the business of making money on weddings, and the more that they can get you to spend, the better.
You may want your wedding to be memorable, but really, the wedding is just one day; it should be the strength of your marriage that is memorable. Focus on the details YOU want at your wedding, not what others say you should do, and you’ll likely save a great deal of money.
Wedding Dresses
There are many options for a frugal wedding dress, if you don’t feel that you have to have a certain designer dress.
Get a Dress on Sale
I found my wedding dress on a clearance rack at a small, local bridal store for $130. After alterations, the final cost was $200. You’ll only wear the dress once, so why spend a fortune on it?
Look for a Fancy Dress in a Department Store
Another option is to go to a large department store and look for a fancy dress that isn’t specifically marketed as a wedding dress. You may be able to find a dress for $75 to $150. Or, some brides-to-be have found brides’ maids’ dresses to be suitable. Be creative in your thinking, and you’ll likely find a frugal, yet stylish option.
Flowers
Let’s be honest—most people won’t remember your floral arrangements. My husband and I made all of our own bouquets and boutonnieres with fake flowers from Michael’s bought with a 40% off coupon. Many people marveled at my bouquet and couldn’t believe we had made it.
If you do choose real flowers, go with simple bouquets and limit the number of flowers you use.
Wedding Cake
There are so many options when it comes to a wedding cake. Some people choose a small wedding cake and then make homemade cupcakes for the guest. Others buy the cake from a local grocery store bakery and buy sheet cakes for the guests. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a wedding cake.
Limit the Number of Guests
If you’re able, consider limiting the number of guests. If you’d like to have a fancy wedding and reception on a budget, it’s much easier to do if you’re entertaining fewer guests.
However, if you come from a large family or want a big wedding, just be mindful that you’ll likely have to make concessions to keep the wedding affordable.
Venue
There are so many ways to save on the venue! Consider some of these ideas:
Have the Wedding on an Off Day or Time
If you’re able, consider having the wedding on a weekday or earlier in the morning for a deep discount. Most couples want a Saturday afternoon wedding and reception. If you’re able to avoid this in-demand time, you’ll reap substantial savings. One couple married on a Monday, and they got 40% off the price of the venue!
Park
If you’re willing to chance the weather, having your wedding at a park can provide a beautiful, natural setting for often less than $100.
Church
Churches are often free (though you’re expected to donate), and if the church does have a place for the reception, you’ll likely only have to pay a few hundred dollars.
Airbnb or VRBO
One option that many don’t consider is to rent an Airbnb or a vacation rental by owner (VRBO) at a scenic locale. Many of these rentals are large houses set in beautiful locations and specifically advertise that they are wedding friendly. They range from $200 to $1000 per day, and at the end of the night, the bride and groom have a place to sleep before they start on their honeymoon.
Backyard Wedding
Backyard weddings seem to have gone out of vogue 50 years ago, but they still offer a great, free venue. People often have the wedding in their parents’ backyard or another relative or family friends’ home. The setting is casual and friendly, making for a great way to start your married life together.
Food
Especially if you have a large wedding, food can be one of the biggest expenses. Consider some of these options to cut costs:
Have the Wedding at an Off Time so Only Snacks Are Needed
If you get married at 1 p.m., your reception will likely be at 3 p.m., meaning you won’t need to provide your guests with a full meal, but rather just snacks.
Make Your Own Buffet
Another option is to make your own food. We did this for our wedding, though I must admit, even with the help of my mom, all of my brides’ maids’ and a few aunts, making all of the food was exhausting. Of course, we had 150 guests, so if you have a smaller wedding, this won’t be so taxing.
Music
Hire a DJ you know. If you have a friend or relative who is a DJ, hire them. Or, you could hire a DJ who is relatively new to the scene.
Create Your Own Music with an iPod and Stereo System
If you can’t find a reasonably priced DJ, you could also use an iPod and stereo system to create your own background music throughout the reception.
Photos
Many people don’t want to skimp on photos because they’re afraid they won’t get the pictures that they want to remember the day. That is a concern, and I agree that the photographer might not be an area where you want to cut corners. However, if you do, consider hiring a family friend or relative who is great at taking photos (every extended family seems to have one), or hire a photography student at the university or a local photographer just starting out.
Conclusions
Companies that are in the wedding business want to sell you a dream, and every year, it seems they make the fantasy more expensive and intricate. You don’t have to fall for their marketing. There are many ways to have a nice wedding without spending a fortune, and according to the recent survey, you may have a happier marriage for it.
