Planning a wedding is no easy task, and staying within budget while planning your dream day...is even tougher. A range of studies show that as of 2023, the average American couple spends between $10,000 and $40,000 on their wedding day. Yikes, I know. But here's the thing, that's not an unreasonable investment. It all depends on what you value in your wedding day. Of course you can budget shop for the cheapest DJ, cheapest photographer, cheapest baker, etc. But you truly do get what you pay for. I've heard, and even witnessed so many horror stories when it comes to budget wedding vendors. Videographers who promise high quality video, only to deliver less than cell phone quality video. Makeup artists or hair stylists that no show the day of. Photographers who provide entry level images. It's all what you pay for. The less you spend, the more....questionable your service or quality may be.
So, how do you save money and stay in budget on your wedding day? Prioritize your vendors. Figure out what is most important to you and make those your top budget priorities. Eloping? That means you probably don't need to spend much money on a venue, if any at all. But you're probably wanting a good photographer who won't let you down. Want a luxurious, high end looking wedding without the luxury budget? I'd say the venue is high priority. Even with the greatest photographer, your local American Legion isn't going to give you the high class vibe you're looking for. So, here are some of my top tips summarized in a neat little list:
Figure out your priorities.
To decide your wedding budget priorities, you must first figure out your wedding day vibe, or overall feel that you want. Small and intimate? You could probably choose a small venue, state park or backyard wedding to save money on venue, and prioritize your photographer, or florals, or catering (just a few ideas). A big celebration surrounded by friends and family? Maybe you want to prioritze a larger venue and the food and liquor budget. An enchanted and intimate woodsy vibe? Definitely the florals and photography.
Maddie & Noah's backyard wedding was romantic and intimate, surrounded by friends and family, with gorgeous florals and vintage glassware table settings. It was the perfect balance of time with friends and family, and the perfect romantic and enchanting vibe.
Ask your photographer or booked vendors for recommendations.
Most vendors, myself included, have a list of preferred vendors. These are people we have worked with before and have found to be reliable and good at their profession. Wedding vendors get an inside look that you can't get from reading reviews. We know the best of the best....and the absolute worst (like, blacklist worst!). So don't be afraid to reach out to your already booked vendors and see who they have for preferred vendors!
A couple of my preferred vendors: Tipsy Trailer (left) and Beez Neez Cheesecake and Sweets(Right)
Think outside the box.
Don't be afraid to change plans or utilize unconventional ideas. When my husband and I got married, we prioritized time with all our friends and family. That meant cutting budget in some areas (we were young and broke). The morning of our big day, we found ourselves happily picking wildflowers from my parent's property and arranging our own bouquets. Would I have loved a professional florist? Hell yeah. No one can put together a beautiful bouquet like a pro. But it just wasn't the priority in our budget.We also got married at a county park, which was perfect for us as we love the outdoors and it's actually where we had our first date! So not only was it cheap, it's exactly what we wanted.
Photos from my 2016 wedding. We picked our own flowers, had a big potluck, and spent our day at the park where we had our first date.
Don't be afraid to elope.
Courthouse wedding or mountain elopement, you're sure to save money. Have an intimate ceremony, just the two of you and maybe a couple friends or family members, and do a little party when you get back home. This will save on venue, catering, extra florals, rentals, etc. Not to mention it brings so much meaning when it's intimate and focused on you and your vows. Sometimes we get caught up in planning such big weddings that it shifts from less of a marriage ceremony, and more of a party for your friends and family. If the thought of paying thousands and thousands to appease friends and family on YOUR day is starting to sound daunting....elopement might be the way to go! *Honestly, if I could go back, I probably would have chosen the elopement route, just the two of us.
And finally, the not so fun one....figure out how much you can actually afford.
Fun fact: I used to work in banking before I quit to do photography full time. And something they won't tell you at the bank....Just because you can get approved for a loan, doesn't mean you can afford it. While I understand it's common to take out loans for a weddings, I don't entirely recommend it. Try to remember, it's not about having the perfect wedding, it's about the marriage soon to take place. It's about love and spending the rest of your lives together.
Perhaps the next blog post I'll share our wedding story and how we went about our planning vs how I would do differently today! There's no right or wrong way to have a wedding, it's all about the marriage itself!
I hope these tips help you in your wedding planning process, if even just a little bit! Still looking to hire a wedding photographer? Let's chat! Fill out the contact form here and we can chat all the details!
