If you’re organizing a wedding, you’ve likely encountered the startling stat that the typical couple shells out nearly $34,000 for their celebration. That figure can make you want to give up and run away together.
Yet with imaginative planning, savvy shopping, a bit of DIY, and support from family and friends, you can significantly trim costs and still enjoy the wedding you’ve envisioned. You don’t have to cut the guest list or skimp on drinks to do it.
Here are four couples who managed to marry for less than $10,000 — take their cues.
A Rustic, Woodland Celebration for 130 Guests on $7,000
When Sarah and Andrew Roehm tied the knot in January 2017, they kept spending down by committing to a cohesive theme, leveraging DIY projects, and being resourceful.
Choosing a rustic, forest-inspired motif up front made it simple to decline anything that didn’t match the concept. For example, a roulette table the groom thought would be fun was ruled out because it didn’t fit the aesthetic.
The pair curated their own playlists and had a friend act as an iPhone DJ. Friends arranged the flowers (sourced wholesale) and handled decor purchases at thrift stores. A groomsman constructed the ceremony arch, and several pals provided live music for the service.
The Roehms opted for nontraditional choices for venue and catering. They held the event at a country ranch that cost roughly a tenth of many conventional venues, and a food truck served burgers at about $15 per person.
Because they saved in other areas, the bride was able to buy the $1,100 gown and jacket she adored during a spontaneous dress-shopping outing.
Below is a breakdown of some of the Roehms’ wedding expenses:
- Venue: $2,400
- Flowers: $350
- Food: around $2,000
- Alcohol: $500
- Photography: $1,400
- Bride’s outfit: $1,100
- Groom’s outfit: $135
A 190-Person Celebration on an $8,000 Budget
Laura Grace Tarpley and her husband, Daniel Jones, kept total expenses below $10,000 despite hosting 190 guests at their October 2016 wedding.
The couple avoided pricey wedding vendors to save money. They bought blooms at Costco, sourced decor from Goodwill, purchased boxed wine at Walmart, and found the arch at a yard sale. The groom used his blacksmithing skills to craft their wedding bands from about $10 worth of material from The Home Depot.
Tarpley and Jones leaned on family and friends’ skills. A bridesmaid who’s a graphic designer created invitations and programs as a gift. A family friend served as their coordinator. Another friend baked a three-tier cake for far less than a bakery would have charged.
Here’s a look at some of their expenses:
- Flowers: $315
- Decor: $120
- Wedding arch: $45 (they resold it after the event to recoup costs)
- Materials for handmade wedding bands: $10
- Wedding cake: $200
A $7,000 Tech-Savvy Backyard Wedding in San Francisco
When Marian Schembari married Elliot Speed in October 2014, they embraced technology and a mix of online services to pull off an affordable wedding in expensive San Francisco.
Rather than reserving an expensive venue, they booked an Airbnb with a backyard large enough for their 40-person outdoor ceremony. The host allowed them to set up several days early and let them tidy the yard to make the setting more attractive.
The bride bought a pre-owned gown on the wedding site OnceWed and ordered budget-friendly decor from Amazon. They spent under $500 on takeout from a local restaurant and hired help via TaskRabbit to have it delivered to the rental. For music, they relied on their monthly Spotify plan.
Because they shaved costs in many areas, they were able to splurge on photography, paying $4,400 for a photographer they dearly wanted and booked a year ahead.
Here are some of their expenditures:
- Venue: $1,250
- Music: $10
- Invitations: $100
- Wedding dress and alterations: $800
- Food: $530
- Flowers and decor: $140
- Photography: $4,400
Read here for more about how this couple executed their low-cost wedding.
A Postponed Reception That Cost Under $5,000
When Kerry and Jim Stapley were married in March 2015, they used clever timing to reduce expenses.
Rather than host their reception immediately after the ceremony, the Stapleys chose to celebrate with family and friends months after their modest weekday courthouse nuptials.
The budget-minded bride did research, calling venues for quoted wedding packages and then later calling back to inquire about private-event pricing. She learned that rates were often thousands of dollars lower if the gathering wasn’t advertised as a wedding.
The venue they picked would have been about $16,000 for a wedding with their 100 guests. Instead, the couple spent under $5,000 in total.
By postponing the reception, the Stapleys also gained extra time to save for the celebration.
Here’s a summary of their wedding spending:
- Courthouse ceremony: $72
- Reception venue: $3,000
- Decor: $150
- Food: $400
- Alcohol: $800
See here for additional information about this couple’s wedding approach.
Nicole Dow is a senior writer at Savinly.
