Best Budget Tips from Real Brides
With the average cost of a wedding at $35,329, according to a survey by The Knot, every little bit of savings adds up. And no one knows better how to plan a wedding on a budget than brides who have been there, done that.
Food
“We saved money by going light and healthy at cocktail hour, serving cheese and veggies. Then for dinner, we hired a BBQ truck that was very reasonably priced—and a huge hit with guests!” — Becky
“For the rehearsal dinner, I found a BYOB restaurant and brought a bunch of wine and small kegs of beer. The food was fantastic, and everyone had plenty to drink without breaking the bank.” — Amanda
We chose an art school student as our photographer. She was definitely more budget-friendly, and we were really happy with the photos.
Flowers
“I purchased flowers from a local grocery store, and my aunts and cousins set out all of the arrangements the day before–I am incredibly thankful for all of my family’s help.” — Judi
“To fit with my tropical theme, I put a row of pineapples down the center of each table instead of flower arrangments.” — Jen
Use a school bus for transportation rather than a limo or charter bus. Our guests thought the ride was fun, and it was much, much cheaper for us.
Decor & Favors
“My grandmother used gold permanent marker to write guests’ table assignments on vintage plates that doubled as decorations.” — Rachel
“For favors, I opted for personalized sugar cookies with designs that represented each of us. My husband’s was a fire truck since he’s a firefighter, and mine was a wedding dress. I used the same bakery that provided our cake and got a great package deal.” — Noelle
