Look to this list of budget friendly wedding ideas to save money, yet still, fulfill your dream wedding plans. With so many expenses, these ideas may help you cut costs without altering your vision. This post is all about budget friendly wedding ideas.
Even though my wedding was almost eight years ago, I still remember when my husband told me he was going to ask 12 of his friends and family members to be in the wedding. I almost fell over. I couldn’t believe that our wedding party would include 24 people.
Of course, this was definitely not a budget friendly idea; however, we tried to save money in other areas of our planning because of our own vision. We knew we wanted our wedding guest list to include all of our family members and friends. This meant that we needed to save money in other places.
With our budget in mind, we tried our best to keep costs low, yet to stick to what we wanted for that day.
Similarly, you may not need to use every single one of these suggestions, but by using a few of the ideas, you will save money on some aspects of your wedding.
This post is all about budget friendly wedding ideas.
Table of Contents
Budget Friendly Wedding Ideas
Wedding Guest List
Now, I didn’t take this advice, but if you are really trying to cut costs, keep your list small. Just by making your guest list small, you are going to save money in all aspects. Of course, there are other advantages to keeping your wedding small.
If you keep your wedding smaller, then you will definitely have the time to talk to everyone that day. You won’t feel you are just making small talk with your guests, but you will really share moments with everyone in attendance.
Wedding Invitations on a Budget
Vista Print
Check out the Vista Print website for unbelievable deals on wedding invitations. Their options are fantastic, and the costs are much lower than more traditional invites.
Paperless Post
To avoid postage costs and stuffing envelopes, check out this site for email invites. Go with the new wave of invitations, and just email your guests. Not only will this cut costs, but this will also ease the stress of all things stationery.
For guests who may not be as tech savvy, you could always purchase invites just for these friends and family members.
Budget Friendly Wedding Venues
Keep It Local
If you are from a small town, embrace it. Don’t feel obligated to have your wedding at the go-to venue that is completely overpriced. Instead, keep it simple. It isn’t about the venue. Think about how the venue is going to unite people and create the right atmosphere for your vision. Don’t worry about the pomp and circumstance of the setting.
Backyard Wedding Ideas
Do you have an amazing backyard or do you know someone who does? Well, then check into that venue first. Why not get married where you know the layout?
Backyard wedding ideas have really taken off, and with that, the price of this venue is pennies compared to official wedding venue locations.
Budget Friendly Flowers for Wedding
Bridal Bouquet
Instead of paying for an extremely expensive bridal bouquet, try out this brooch bouquet idea. Initially, you may question how this could be cheaper than flowers, but please hear me out. First, you will start by asking your wedding shower guests, friends, and family members to give you their brooches. Also, you can find brooches at thrift stores and consignment shops too.
It will amaze you how many brooches start popping up. It’s as though people you thought you knew so well are actually brooch hoarders. No, I’m just kidding, but seriously, you will get so many brooches.
Plus, you will always be able to keep your bouquet. Luckily, my sister could create my gorgeous bouquet. She did an unbelievable job, and my guests loved seeing their brooches displayed so beautifully. All of your friends and family will play a significant role in your wedding as you hold this bouquet walking down the aisle and saying I do.
Trader Joe’s Flowers
Check out various ways to create gorgeous bouquets and centerpieces using your favorite Trader Joe’s grocery store flowers.
Of course, if you don’t live near one of these fabulous grocery stores, check out your local grocery store floral department. For my wedding, we used our local grocery store to create the perfect floral arrangements.
We saved so much money with this option as opposed to going to a floral shop.
Wedding Attire
Bridesmaids Dresses
Instead of expecting your bridal party to spend a fortune, save them money by selecting a color that you prefer everyone to wear. If you select the shade, send out a few options or have each bridesmaid select a dress for your approval.
Also, you can always have your bridesmaids rent a dress as well. For instance, Rent the Runway, Style Lend, and Glam Corner are great options.
Groomsmen Attire
For groomsmen attire, you can save money by selecting vests instead of jackets, picking suits instead of renting tuxedos, or going casual with a simple shirt and slacks. This is definitely a simple way to save your friends and family money.
Wedding Favors
Many would agree that wedding favors are not a requirement as you are spending money on your guests in other ways. If you would like to still have a wedding favor for your guests, there are a few budget friendly options.
Depending on your wedding theme, you could shop thrift stores for beautiful favors for your wedding. These stores have vintage items that can be beautiful favors. For instance, you may find gorgeous vintage stemmed glasses, teacups, frames, cups, coasters, and more.
For my wedding shower, we used teacups and filled them with wax to give every guest a lavender-scented candle. To be honest, I really did little to create these. I just loved the idea of vintage teacup candles. Thankfully, my mother-in-law, mom, gram, aunts, and sisters did all the work making these beautiful candles. It went over well, and they turned out wonderfully.
Wedding Cake Ideas on a Budget
With so many creative ways to make the perfect wedding cake, explore all of your options. Perhaps you and your fiance are absolutely obsessed with donuts. Then, why not make a cake out of chocolate iced donuts for your wedding day?
It doesn’t need to be a $1,000 wedding cake that you smash into your partner’s face. You can get that same effect from stacked macaroons or homemade cupcakes too.
Enjoy Your Special Day
Above all, enjoy your special day.
Before our wedding day really took off, our good friend Chris said, “Just remember to take a moment to look around and take in the day.” I’ll never forget his advice, and to be honest, I have put this into practice on more than just my wedding.
Truly take the time to look around and remember your amazing experience. It is unbelievable how quickly that day passes, yet how much that single day changes your life forever.
For the perfect wedding registry ideas, check out this list of must-haves.
This post is all about budget friendly wedding ideas.
& Remember
Start with the Bed,
Juliet
