Weddings are rebounding — and costing more than they used to.
After two years of postponements and canceled plans, roughly 2.5 million couples are projected to tie the knot in 2022, according to The Wedding Report, a market research firm that tracks wedding trends and projections.
All that pent-up demand — coupled with inflation and supply-chain disruptions — is pushing up costs for everything from floral designs to bridal gowns.
“I think the biggest issue is that many of the popular vendors and locations are booked up this year and into next year,” said Shane McMurray, CEO of The Wedding Report. “Because that’s the case, other options are also getting booked and pushing prices up.”
Plan on the average wedding costing around $27,000 this year, according to The Wedding Report’s forecast. That represents a 12.5% increase from before the pandemic.
Choosing to be married exactly how you envision it can mean shelling out a lot more than you would have prior to the largest wedding rush seen in four decades.
But there are dozens of ways to cut wedding costs. If you want to celebrate in style without emptying your savings, be prepared to be flexible, inventive and patient.
How to Cut Costs on a Wedding
The final amount you spend will vary based on many things — guest count, how many vendors you hire, catering choices, venue and more.
Start by listing a few non-negotiables for your big day. Be open to compromise or unconventional solutions for everything else.
“Setting priorities will get you grounded and help you stay on target with your budget,” McShane told Savinly.
For instance, if cuisine is the top priority for you and your partner, reduce spending on floral displays and ask a friend who takes great photos to be your photographer.
Ready to plan a lovely celebration without the financial strain? Below are 90 expert tips to save money on nearly every part of your wedding.
The Engagement
Couples spend about $6,000 on average for an engagement ring, according to The Knot’s 2021 Jewelry and Engagement Study.
Here are some ways to save on the ring.
1. Remember, Diamonds Are Forever — But Spend Wisely
If a classic diamond is your plan, shop smart.
“The center diamond is the most valuable part of the ring,” Jayme Pretzloff of Wixon Jewelers in Minneapolis explained. “You can always remount the diamond into another setting later.”
She pointed out that tiny pave diamonds on many rings are worth far less than the main stone.
If you’re investing substantially, concentrate your funds on the element with the greatest value: the main gem.
2. Faux It With Flair
This choice requires a mutual decision, but it can save you a lot on engagement rings or wedding bands. Ask jewelers about simulated options like cubic zirconia or moissanite.
3. Skip Diamonds Altogether
If diamonds — real or synthetic — aren’t your preference, no problem. You can show your commitment with any gemstone you love, from pearls to peridot.
For nontraditional ideas, browse small sellers on Etsy or Shopify. You might find handcrafted pieces you adore at affordable prices.
Venues and Vendors
Venues are often the priciest element of a wedding, typically accounting for about 30% of the total budget.
Couples spent an average of $10,700 on venues in 2021, according to a survey by The Knot.
Here are ways to save on locations, ceremonies and suppliers.
4. Skip the Standard Reception
Your reception doesn’t have to be held in a big ballroom. Thinking creatively can yield substantial savings.
“Consider a bed and breakfast, a public park or an art gallery for your reception,” suggested Danielle Farrell of Michigan’s Betty Brigade.
Farrell used a senior center in her town for her wedding, which had an outdoor park area and banquet space “for a fraction of what it would have cost at a hotel. And it was gorgeous!”
Other nontraditional venues include restaurants, craft breweries or rented vacation homes.
5. Check the Venue’s Furniture
When touring venues, note their tables, chairs and tabletop styles, said event planner Sacha Patires.
If the venue’s furnishings suit your vision, you can avoid hefty rental fees.
6. Bring the Ceremony to You
Want an inclusive, budget-friendly experience? Some companies will actually bring the wedding to you.
The Wedding Wagon in Las Vegas travels to clients. For $129 you can exchange vows with a witness and photos.
On the East Coast, Pop Wed Co. in Washington, D.C. provides chic elopement services (including paperwork) for about $2,500.
Other firms sell elopement packages that include lodging, officiant, hair and makeup, photography and more — often at a fraction of a traditional wedding’s cost.
7. Reevaluate Package Deals
Buying services separately from individual vendors may be cheaper than an all-inclusive package from a venue. Contact vendors directly to compare rates.
Conversely, some venues include essentials like tables, chairs, flatware and linens in their fee. A pricier site might be worth it if it saves you on rentals.
8. Ask for Recommendations
Received a vendor recommendation from a friend? Chances are they had a good experience — consider that florist or baker.
When you reach out, mention the referral. You might get a discount — and your friend could receive a bonus.
9. Hire a Planner to Save
Wedding planners can work with any budget and negotiate contracts on your behalf. Whether it’s a destination celebration or a backyard party, a planner can help execute your vision.
Planner fees vary widely, from a few hundred dollars up to $4,000 for premium services.
On average, expect to pay $1,600 to $1,800.
If a full-service planner is out of reach, many professionals offer hourly or day-of assistance.
10. Or Skip the Pro Planner
An organized friend with a car and leadership skills can be as valuable as an expensive planner. Make it their wedding gift to you and have them manage day-of logistics.
11. Ask for Volunteer Help
If you’re marrying in a church you belong to, enlist its volunteer groups.
Keep in mind these groups may request a small donation for their time.
12. Use Multi-Tasking Vendors
“Use vendors that do more than one thing,” advised wedding planner Amy McNall of Unmistakably You.
Think of a florist who also provides linens, or a planner who installs décor.
“You’ll save on the ‘get me through the door’ fee that you have to pay each individual vendor you use,” McNall said.
13. Offer Sponsorship
Ask vendors whether you can promote their services at your event in return for a lower fee.
Word-of-mouth marketing is highly effective — especially when guests will be planning future events.
14. Have a Friend Officiate
Save on officiant fees by asking a friend to perform the ceremony. Becoming ordained is easy, but confirm your officiant follows local laws.
Ensure they’re comfortable speaking publicly and give them a thoughtful gift for their efforts.
15. Don’t Guess Your Headcount
“You’ll have to give a guaranteed number of guests — especially if it’s a seated meal,” said Teddy Lenderman, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Wedding. If you have fewer guests than the guaranteed number, you’ll be charged for empty seats.
“’I think’ and ‘I guess’ are the two phrases you don’t want to use when it comes to guaranteeing your guest total for the caterer,” Lenderman said. “This number equates to money — at times, lots of money.”
16. Trim the Guest List
You’ll save substantially by inviting fewer people.
The pandemic boosted the popularity of micro weddings — downsizing to a smaller, intimate celebration is increasingly common.
“If you have a guest count of 200 people, that’s 20 tables of 10. But by bringing it down to 150, you just eliminated five tables,” said wedding and event planner Danielle Rothweiler. “That means five fewer centerpieces that you need to have, and 50 fewer meals and bar tabs.”
Even removing 10 or 20 guests can save $1,000 on catering, drinks and rentals.
Not sure who to cut? “If the person hasn’t shared a drink, a laugh or a cry with you in the past year, there’s no reason they need to share all three at your wedding,” Rothweiler advised.
17. Remember Gratuities
Include tips in your budget. Some gratuities are part of contracts, like venue or caterer fees.
Don’t forget smaller tips: hairdressers, chauffeurs and others who help on the day will expect gratuities.
18. Choose Off-Peak Times and Dates
Save by selecting an uncommon day or time for your wedding.
Weekday weddings often come with lower prices than weekends, and many venues now promote weekday availability to meet demand.
With so many delayed celebrations, there’s not much of an “off season” anymore. October remains a top month for weddings, and if you find availability you’ll often pay premium rates.
Instead, consider less popular months like January or February when prices may be lower.
Invitations
Wedding stationery can be surprisingly costly. The Knot reports couples spent about $530 on invitations and stationery in 2021.
Here are ways to cut those costs.
19. Skip Save-the-Dates
Many who mailed save-the-dates during the pandemic later had to reschedule.
Eliminating these early mailings could save $100 or more — not counting postage.
Send a digital save-the-date to friends and family instead.
20. Test Your Penmanship
Calligraphy is fashionable, but hand-addressed envelopes can run $3 apiece.
Ask friends or family in your wedding party to help address invitations. The envelope is often discarded, while the invite itself usually earns a place on someone’s fridge.
21. Design on a Budget
If you’re creative, design your own invites. Sites like dafont.com and abstractfonts.com offer free or donation-based fonts.
22. Use Thermography
Thermography gives the raised-ink look similar to engraving but at a lower cost.
23. Get a PDF From a Designer
Hiring a graphic designer to create high-resolution PDFs you can print and assemble yourself can save money for invitations, table numbers and favor tags, McNall suggested.
Look on Etsy or Fiverr for printable suites — many are under $100 with minimal edits.
24. Go Digital
If you dread buying and stamping multiple cards, use a wedding website like Joy, Paperless Post or Greenvelope.
These services include RSVP tracking, registry links, photo sharing and tools to collect meal choices or allergy information.
25. Avoid Square Envelopes
Square envelopes require extra postage compared with standard rectangular ones, and those added cents can accumulate.
26. Skip Tissue Inserts
Tissue layered in invitation suites used to prevent ink smudging, but it’s mostly unnecessary now, explained Carolyn Garin and Kathleen Hughes of The Anti-Bride Etiquette Guide.
You can also omit interior envelopes for most suites.
27. Use Postcards for RSVPs
Switch to a postcard RSVP to save on postage. Printing costs are similar, but you’ll spend less to mail them back.
28. Send Guests Online for Extra Info
Free wedding websites from The Knot or eWedding let you list hotels, directions and registry links.
Include your website address on your invitation so you can skip many extra enclosure cards.
Photography
Ways to save on photos and video include the following.
29. Book a Promising Newcomer
Hiring an up-and-coming photographer instead of a seasoned pro can save substantially. Find talent through friends, social media or local listings, and review portfolios before booking.
30. Hire a Photojournalist
Photographer Dorie Hagler recommends avoiding studios that seem suspiciously cheap.
“It’s better to hire a local newspaper photographer,” she said. “They show up early, stay late and know how to cover an event. Many high-end wedding photographers began in newspapers.”
31. Skip the Second Shooter
Some packages include a second shooter for an extra fee. For guest lists under 100, a single photographer is usually sufficient.
32. Time Your Photographer
Photographers often sell hourly blocks. If you can afford your top choice for only a few hours, schedule key moments — like cake cutting and portraits — during that window.
33. Opt for Digital Files
Skip an expensive album and get the digital photos. “If you get the digital photos, you can make prints of your favorites,” said Lou Lomibao of SnapKnot.
You can always create a physical album later when your budget allows.
34. Crowdsource Video
Invite guests to submit videos via a wedding site like WeddingMix to compile footage into a home-movie-style keepsake or have a pro edit it together inexpensively.
35. DIY a Photo Booth
Create a fun, casual photo booth with a simple backdrop and props. Guests can use their phones, and you can collect photos via a wedding hashtag for later photo books by companies like Blurb.
Flowers, Decor and Favors
Flowers are a wedding staple, but supply issues and high demand are driving floral prices up.
Here’s how to get decor and blooms without overspending.
36. Embrace Minimalism
Let the location be the focal point. “If you are getting married outdoors, let the scenery do the work for you,” said Courtney Lutkus of Southern California’s Simply Radiant Events. “You probably picked your venue partly on looks, so don’t cover up what you love about your location.”
37. Alternate Centerpieces
You don’t need identical centerpieces on every table. Guests won’t mind.
“Have some tables with ‘wow’ pieces and some with simpler, cheaper arrangements,” suggested Anthony Navarro, founder of Liven It Up Events in Chicago.
38. Keep Them Low
Photographer Hagler prefers lower centerpieces; tall arrangements are costlier and can obstruct photos.
“Other than the one wide-angle room shot, large, tall centerpieces make it difficult to photograph people at the table,” she said.
39. Use Overhead Decor
Instead of large table pieces, fill the ceiling space. One bride spent only $300 on flowers by using paper lanterns and origami mobile accents.
40. Repurpose Ceremony Decor
Move aisle markers or pew decorations from the ceremony to the reception as centerpieces, or have bridesmaids place their bouquets in vases on tables after the ceremony.
41. Highlight the Head Table
“If you love specialty linens but can’t afford them for every table, use them for the head table and cake table,” advised Tampa planner Tracie Domino. These spots are highly visible and photographed often.
42. Buy From Past Brides
“Check listings and post your own request on Kijiji or Craigslist,” McNall suggested.
Preowned linens and decor can often be cheaper than rentals.
43. Don’t Expect to Profit Selling Decor
If you plan to resell items later to recoup costs, don’t count on making much. Wedding planner Jennifer Taylor recommends renting decorations instead of buying them with resale in mind.
44. Pick One Flower Type
Choosing a single flower for bouquets and arrangements reduces labor costs, since mixed bouquets take longer to arrange.
45. Use Seasonal Blooms
Trendy flowers can be pricey. Local, in-season flowers will usually cost less and look fresher. “Work with your florist and select flowers that are in season. They will look better and will save you money,” Domino advised.
46. Look Beyond Wedding Florists
Consider event florists who primarily do corporate work; they often won’t charge a wedding premium, McNall said.
47. Rent Greenery
Some florists rent arrangements so they can be returned and resold after the event.
48. Grow Your Own
If you enjoy gardening, plant annuals to use at your wedding and enjoy them for the season. One bride planted large pots and enjoyed them for months after her wedding.
49. Try Paper Flowers
Paper blooms are inexpensive and can be DIYed or bought affordably on Etsy. Plus, you keep your bouquet forever.
50. Use Coupons
McNall’s advice: “Never buy anything at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s without a coupon!” Some stores may accept expired coupons, so keep them just in case.
51. Share a Free Map
Instead of gifting welcome bags, share a Google map with local favorites or create a scavenger hunt using an app like Stray Boots to point out places your guests might enjoy.
52. Skip Favors
“Skip the wedding favors,” Lutkus said. “They are cute, but what do guests really do with them after the wedding?”
If you insist on favors, make them useful — bubbles for the send-off, edible treats, or something guests will actually keep.
53. Let Guests Take Decor Home
Invite guests to take centerpieces or decorative items home. They get a keepsake and you avoid dealing with leftover items.
Wedding Attire
Many brides spend a lot on the perfect dress.
The average cost for a wedding gown plus alterations is about $1,600, but you can find beautiful dresses for much less.
Here are ways to save on attire for both partners.
54. Buy Pre-Owned
You’ll likely wear the dress once. Consider purchasing pre-owned gowns to save. Some bridal boutiques have sections for pre-loved dresses.
Websites like Stillwhite, Nearly Newlywed and Wore It Once offer large selections of used and unworn dresses at reduced prices.
Alterations may be needed, but the savings up front will usually more than cover tailoring.
Don’t feel obliged to use the original store’s seamstress; you can often find a less costly tailor elsewhere.
55. Consider Bridesmaid Dresses
Simple white or ivory bridesmaid dresses can substitute for a traditional gown at a fraction of the cost. Add bridal accessories to elevate the look.
56. Rent Your Gown
If you don’t want a used dress, rent from services like Rent the Runway. Department stores also carry white formalwear that’s stylish without being labeled “bridal.”
57. Borrow an Outfit
Borrowing is part of wedding tradition. If a friend is a similar size, she may loan you her gown or other items like a veil, shoes or jewelry — cutting those costs entirely.
58. Wait and Search
Try on styles, then research online for the best price on the look you like, suggested Grace Caiazzo, former owner of Bella Bridal and Heirlooms.
59. Don’t Overspend on a Veil
“There is no way to tell the difference between a mid-priced veil and a high-end designer veil,” Domino said. Since it’s likely worn only during the ceremony, choose a budget-friendly option or skip it.
60. Wear Shoes You Love
You don’t have to buy new shoes. Look in your closet for a pair that complements your dress, or wear bold favorite heels — often hidden beneath a long gown.
61. Be Patient for Sales
If you need new shoes, wait for major sales around Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Follow local bridal boutiques for sample-sale announcements.
62. Choose a Wearable Suit
A tailored suit you’ll wear again is a smart investment for grooms: it looks sharp on the wedding day and serves future occasions.
63. Borrow Formalwear
Want a tuxedo without the cost? Borrow one from a friend or relative — just ensure the fit is good.
Jewelry
Beyond the engagement ring, wedding bands and accessories matter too.
Here are top ways to save while still shining.
64. Pick Alternative Bands
White gold is traditional but not required. Alternative metals can cost less and often last longer.
65. Recycle Old Metal
Donate old gold from relatives to an eco-conscious jeweler to be melted down and used as credit toward new bands. You can often get two rings this way for under $150.
66. Try Costume Jewelry
Costume pieces can add sparkle without the high price tag. Check with family members for vintage items that match your style.
67. Choose Timeless Pieces
Select jewelry that’s versatile so you and your attendants can wear it beyond the wedding.
Bridal Party
A large bridal party can cause costs to climb quickly.
From transportation to bouquets and gifts, keeping expenses low is important.
68. Keep the Party Small
You don’t have to have a large wedding party. A smaller or absent group saves hundreds on flowers and eliminates the need for many gifts, said planners Arreguin and Burton.
69. Move the Party Efficiently
For transportation, ask trolly, bus or limo companies about hourly or daily rates and compare options. Corporate sedan services may also rent out vehicles like Lincoln Town Cars.
70. Borrow a Car
If travel distances are short, borrow a friend’s SUV to shuttle the group.
71. Coordinate Colors, Not Dresses
Instead of requiring identical $300 dresses, pick a color and let attendants choose their own gowns. Black is flattering and simplifies coordination.
72. Consolidate Touch-Ups
Hair and makeup can be costly. Hire a top artist but request a touch-up kit to avoid paying for additional hour-of service just for minor fixes.
Food and Drink
Catering is indispensable but pricey. The Knot estimates food and beverages make up about 25% of a wedding budget.
Seated, plated meals are the most expensive option. Consider buffets, family-style service or heavy hors d’oeuvres to lower costs.
