Weddings/Events

How to have a memorable wedding on a budget

Ways You Can Wow At Your Wedding On A Budget

wallet with money, how to stay within your wedding budget

Weddings can be incredibly expensive, with the average wedding in America costing $28,964. Not all couples have that much money to spend on a wedding, or they might rather use the funds for something else instead. If this is you, there are plenty of ways that you can cut costs but still ensure your wedding is a beautiful, special day. After all, your wedding should be personal and significant to you, and about celebrating your love for one another. Below are some ideas to cut costs + stay on budget that will still ensure you have a magical wedding day.

Consider your venue choice

bride and groom backyard wedding ceremony in front of tiki bar
Photo by: Robiee Ziegler

Large venues and private estates look impressive in photos, however they can also cost a pretty penny to book. If you’re looking to cut costs on your wedding, then take inspiration from what you have around you, and go alternative for your venue. (Like this couple who got married in their backyard in front of their tiki bar!) You’d be amazed at what good decor can do to transform a space.

The internet is your friend here – take a look at unusual venue ideas, especially from couples who are in your area. Just make sure that you connect with a wedding planner to ensure you have the appropriate paperwork and licenses.

Buy pre-loved or sale items

Photo by: Emily Morgan and Valerie Noel

Not only is buying pre-owned items cheaper, it’s a more sustainable way to get married, too. When bought from reliable places, second-hand rings and pre-worn wedding dresses are still of high quality. Dresses especially can be professionally cleaned by dry-cleaners, and are likely to have only been worn once.

You can also look for sale items from brands that you love, but you can’t afford to pay full price for. Companies often have sales on wedding jewelry, or on sample size dresses. By signing up to newsletters from jewelers or clothing companies or following them on social media, you can increase your chances of snagging these items cheaply. 

Think about your food

A colorful wedding at Unique Space LA, cocktail hour
Photo by: Mary Costa Weddings

While once upon a time, weddings were formal three-course meals, that is no longer the expectation. Fortunately for budget planners, grazing tables and alternative, more casual food choices are becoming more common. There is something quite cool and exciting about going to a wedding and being greeted with a huge table of food options, or having burgers instead of another chicken and vegetable dish. Also, brightly colored food trucks also look great for wedding photos.

Additionally, instead of an expensive wedding cake, opt for a dessert table! It looks great and gives your guests a wider range of options. Unfortunately, a lot of wedding cake ends up going to waste at the end of the night, so a dessert table can help alleviate some of that waste and cost.

There you have it, friends! Thank you to 77 Diamonds for collaborating with us on this post! If you’re interested in how you can create + stick to your wedding budget, contact me on my homepage!

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LATTE OBSESSED, OVERACHIEVER, Outdoor Lover, Sucker for Live Music, Donut fanatic, Life Long Grey's Anatomy Fan, DOG MOM + now mom to my girl Rye. 

Hi, I'm Kari.
Wedding Planner, Podcaster, & Creative Entrepreneur.

The founder and lead planner behind Feathered Arrow Studio. Over the past 11 years, I’ve designed and executed more than 175 weddings throughout Southern California, helping couples create celebrations that feel deeply personal and beautiful.

My approach blends thoughtful design with genuine hospitality. I care deeply about how a wedding feels not just how it looks. I want every detail to be intentional and every guest to feel taken care of. Together we take your inspiration, your story, and your priorities and turn them into a celebration that feels effortless, welcoming, and unmistakably yours.

Not every couple needs full-service planning, which is why I also offer wedding consults and planning guides for those navigating the process on their own. I’m also the co-host of Just Another Biz Podcast, where we have honest conversations about the wedding industry with fellow creatives behind the scenes.

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