Planning the Perfect Wedding Without Breaking the Bank
Weddings are a beautiful celebration of love, but let’s be real— they can also come with a hefty price tag. According to The Knot, the average cost of a wedding in the United States is over $30,000. Let that sink in for a moment. It’s no wonder so many couples feel pressured to spend big to achieve the so-called “perfect” wedding. But here’s the thing: the true “perfect” wedding isn’t about price tags or trends—it’s about creating a day that feels authentic and meaningful to you as a couple.
If you’re looking to plan a budget-friendly wedding without sacrificing style or sentiment, this post is for you.
As a 2024 bride and a photographer, these are some things that we did at our wedding to save money, that did not impact our overall wedding day experience.
Small Tier Cake
My first tip for saving on your wedding cake is to opt for a small, 1-2 tier cake designed just for you and your spouse. This way, you still get that special moment of cutting the cake together without the hefty price tag of a large, multi-tiered cake. For your guests, consider serving an assortment of smaller, budget-friendly desserts like cupcakes, brownies, or cookies, or have a sheet cake ready to be sliced and served discreetly from the back. Large, elaborate cakes can be surprisingly expensive, but this approach lets you provide sweet treats for everyone while keeping costs manageable.
For an even bigger cost-saving hack, check out Costco or Sam’s Club—they have delicious sheet cakes and cupcakes at unbeatable prices, perfect for feeding a crowd. Not only is this method more affordable, but it also frees up funds to allocate toward other meaningful aspects of your wedding, like photography, décor, or entertainment. Your guests will enjoy the variety, and you’ll enjoy staying within your budget
Photos - Kara Lynn Photography
Let's Talk Florals
When it comes to saving money on florals for your wedding day, there are plenty of creative options to consider without sacrificing style. For your centerpieces, try using simple bud vases paired with candles for an elegant look. If you love the idea of flowers but don’t want to break the bank, consider using faux flowers for your décor. They can look just as stunning as the real thing and last long after your big day. You can even resell them and get some of your money back!
Faux flowers also make a great option for boutonnieres.
If you're looking to splurge a bit, real flowers for the bridal bouquet can still be an option (we did this because we wanted to preserve my bouquet), but if you want to stretch your budget even further, consider DIY floral arrangements. Craft stores like Hobby Lobby often offer flowers at 50% off, making it a great place to stock up on affordable, high-quality blooms. We used fake florals from Hobby Lobby for the arbor and had a family friend arrange it - and they were beautiful!
Some other places that I would recommend if you're wanting to go the DIY route are Ling's Moments and Flower Moxie.
Photos - Kara Lynn Photography
Splurge or Save
Wedding Favors
Wedding favors are a classic tradition, but they’re also an area where you can save a significant amount of money. For our wedding, we chose personalized koozies as our favors. While they were fun, they weren’t a necessity and didn’t have a huge impact on the overall experience. We also had so many left over that guests did not take home. If you’re working with a budget, consider skipping the favors altogether and redirect that money toward something more meaningful, like upgrading your photography package, enhancing your food and drink selection, or saving the money for your honeymoon! .
Signage and Programs
Signage and wedding programs are another area where you can cut costs without sacrificing style. While they do add a nice personal touch and can enhance the overall aesthetic of your day, they aren't absolutely necessary. If you're looking to save money, consider skipping the signage and wedding programs altogether, or get creative with DIY options. For example, you can make your own programs with a simple design on card stock, or use a chalkboard or digital displays to share key details, like the schedule or seating arrangements, without the added expense.
Photos - Kara Lynn Photography
Photo Booth
Photo booths are a fantastic way to add a fun, interactive element to your wedding day, but renting one can be pricey. If you love the idea of a photo booth but are looking for a budget-friendly option, consider a DIY version. Set up a backdrop (think fabric, greenery, a neon sign, or a balloon arch), add a tripod, and provide fun props like hats, signs, and glasses for your guests to pose with. To capture the memories, use a Polaroid or instant camera for instant prints or have guests set up their phone with a timer. An even more budget friendly option is to add disposable cameras to each table. The guests can snap pictures during the reception for you to collect and print after the wedding! The photo booth images were taken with a DIY photo booth at my friend, Maddie's wedding!
Drinks and Cocktail Hour Snacks
Drinks
Providing drinks at your wedding can quickly become one of the most expensive parts of the day, but it’s often a top priority for creating a fun guest experience. To save money, check if your venue allows you to bring your own drinks. Stocking coolers (we used these) with canned beverages like beer, seltzers, and soda is a great alternative to an open bar. Not only does this significantly cut costs, but it also reduces wait times, as guests can simply grab a drink instead of waiting on a bartender to prepare one.
Cocktail Hour Snacks
Cocktail hour is a perfect opportunity to keep guests entertained and comfortable while you and your bridal party take photos, but providing snacks doesn’t have to be extravagant. While large, elaborate charcuterie boards are popular, they can be both expensive and time-consuming to prepare, especially if you’re DIYing. A more budget-friendly option is to head to Costco or Sam’s Club and stock up on bulk snacks like chips, popcorn, trail mix, nuts, or pretzels. Set them out in serving bowls or baskets and let the guests serve themselves. This approach ensures your guests stay satisfied without the hefty price tag of a professional spread or a labor-intensive DIY board.
Photo - Ryan Elizabeth Photography
DIY, DIY, and more DIY
If you’re looking to save money on your wedding, DIY is a game-changer. With a little creativity and help from YouTube tutorials, you can recreate expensive trends at a fraction of the cost. For example, I loved the idea of marquee light-up letters spelling out our last name, but renting or buying them was way over budget. Instead, my mom made them using poster board, hot glue, and garden lights, saving us a ton of money while still achieving the look we wanted. DIY lets you save big without sacrificing what you truly want! Here is the link to the tutorial that we watched.
Photo - Kara Lynn Photography
