16 Brilliant Frugal Wedding Tips you need to know

Are you looking for cheap wedding packages? The reality is…weddings can be expensive but thank goodness I’m able to share with you how to plan a beautiful wedding on a budget! These frugal wedding tips will help you to get through your special day with less stress.

Excited right?

You should be! It’s a very special time.

By the way, have you created your Bridal Registry as yet? Create one now.

Some of you have a wedding on a budget of $5000 (or less), some may have a destination wedding budget, are interested in a cheap beach wedding, have a rustic wedding on a budget, and so on. Everyone’s wishes and situations are different. If you are asking these questions, you are at the right place.

• What is the cheapest way to plan a wedding?
• What are 3 tips to lowering the cost of your wedding? (I’ll give you 16!)
• How do you plan a wedding on a $1000 budget?
• How to plan a wedding on a small budget in 6 months

So we’re going to plan a frugal wedding. Gone are the days when we have to pay for everything to make our wedding happen. Today, we have so many options and wedding ideas! The good thing about this post is, that these are summer, winter, spring, and fall wedding ideas on a budget. Basically all year-round frugal wedding tips!

When I was getting married, I knew I wanted a beautiful wedding on a budget.

So, you know what I did? I sat down, put pen to paper, and became my own Wedding Planner. And that takes me to the first thing I want to show you on how to plan a wedding on a budget.

Frugal Wedding Tips

1. Be Your Own Wedding Planner

I know…

It sounds like a lot, but honestly, if you just sit and think about each factor that will be included in your wedding and you tackle them one at a time, you’ll realize that it is manageable. Don’t get flustered or have anxiety. Stay calm. Get your wedding guest book and start your list.

Examine your circle and see who is good at certain tasks and willing to help. What I did was delegate tasks to people I know were good at something or refer someone that could help. You can try doing that too.

For example, I knew my sister-in-law was good at Decoration, so I allowed her to decorate (for free!). In addition, I knew my childhood bestie was good at coordinating so I allowed her to be my Wedding Director! She made sure my wedding ran smoothly and the program was followed—At no cost.

I’m still thankful for them up to this day!

Even if you do not get anything free, the goal is to keep your wedding expenses as low as possible as you stick to your wedding budget.

2. Get a wedding planner checklist

A wedding checklist is a very important thing to have when you’re planning a wedding. It keeps you on track and organized.

I tried to stay on top of my list and ensure that everything was done. I delegated the tasks that I know I needed help with and keep a close connection with those persons to ensure we’re on the same page. You can also set deadlines.

Now, let’s look at important items you should have on your wedding checklist and how you can minimize the cost to plan a beautiful wedding on a budget. Note that this list is not in any specific order.

Sidenote: Grab my list of Wedding Souvenir Ideas completely free at the end of this post.

3. Budget Friendly Wedding Dresses

The Dress is a crucial part of the process and I know Brides can go pretty crazy (in a good way) when it comes to their dress.

Planning a wedding on a tight budget, you can find wedding dresses on Offer up app. This is an app that people list a ton of items for sale. You’re going to realize people have both new and worn dresses that they’re selling for ridiculously low prices. You’d contact the seller and you guys arrange when and where to meet (public place of course).

I got mine at David’s Bridal but before you say they are expensive, I’m here to tell you that you can find beautiful wedding dresses on SALE at David’s Bridal. Search their online sale section or you can go in-store.

Though I got lucky and bought my dress on sale for $460 (It was $1400 initially), you can find dresses for $199, 200+, even $99! I say search their sale section constantly!

I wouldn’t advise buying a wedding dress online from websites that you aren’t familiar with or have low ratings. At least if you go on the Offer up app, you’ll actually see what you’re getting when you and the seller meets up (at a safe public place of course).

I read about Brides who’ve done this and end up getting something drastically different and they were devastated. Do not make that mistake.

For Bridesmaid’s dresses, I ordered those on Amazon. They had so many unique styles. Make sure to do your research, check customer reviews and ratings. You may choose to get them tailor-made or ordered in stores as well.

4. Wedding Venue

So you will need to decide where your wedding ceremony/reception will be.

Since you’re planning a wedding on a budget, you might want to look for frugal wedding venues. Ensure you consider the size and the number of people on your guest list.

If someone you know has a hall, big enough space, a nice backyard, or an area that you see fit to host your wedding ceremony/reception, make contact and politely ask if you can have it there. Never hurts to try.

You might end up paying but more likely it’d be less than what you’d pay for an official wedding venue.

Next on the frugal wedding tips list is the guest list.

5. Guest List

Pay keen attention to your wedding guest list. Sometimes people can be rude and show up without being invited (trust me it happens) and this can affect your reception settings so it’s extremely important.

Ensure you clearly state who you’re inviting.

6. Wedding Decorations on a budget

First, you need to decide on the colors you’ll be using. Then you’ll need to decide what specifically you need to bring out your dream wedding.

I understand that each Bride is different and each is going to have a specific liking or preference. However, everyone wants to have a beautiful wedding.

To cut costs, I bought/ordered my own wedding decorations.

You can look for wedding decorations of your choice on Amazon, efavormart, Walmart, and Michaels. These stores have affordable candles, flowers, hanging string lights, the trendy Eucalyptus garland, Mr & Mrs. Sign, backdrop drapery for the head table, chair ornaments, among so many other things. You’ll also find wedding centerpieces on a budget.

7. Invitation, RSVP, programme & wedding menus on a budget

To be honest, I think these are the least of the Bride’s problems. I might be wrong but do not put a lot of thinking into these. Save time, save money.

How about designing them yourself? Challenge yourself to a DIY.

Now, I know you’re probably thinking you’re no graphic designer, but you don’t have to be.

You might be thinking it’s hard but it’s pretty simple.

You can use a graphic tool called CANVA (free). You’ll be able to design so many things using Canva. Postcards, tickets, invitations, logos, menu, book cover, and more. Plus it makes your designs look so professional! The user interface is amazing, I promise.

Another website I love is Shutterfly. They always have some amazing deals so you could look around in their wedding stationery.
You could also use Microsoft Publisher or even Microsoft Word to type the menu, add a few nice photo designs at the edges.

If you want to opt-out of printing your Invitations and RSVPs, what you can do is to send out soft copy invitations of those. I did this and I’m happy I did.
It eliminates the printing cost. It will be easier for you too, as you would have to mail them instead and that could be time-consuming.

Related Content:

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8. Wedding flowers budget

Wedding wire states that the average cost for wedding flowers is $1500. However, there are quite a few things you can do to cut costs:

• Get real flowers for yourself and the bridal party gets artificial. (Don’t be alarmed about this because there are some really nice artificial flowers that looks pretty real). For example, Hydrangeas, Eucalyptus with roses.
• DIY bouquets
• Rent your bouquets

I know some persons will want real flowers all across the board and that’s fine. I’m just helping you with tips on how you can save money by having your wedding on a budget. You can check the stores I mentioned earlier for wedding flowers on a budget.

9. Wedding Souvenirs on a budget

There are so many wedding souvenir ideas that I could tell you- both for the bridal parties and your guests.

When you give souvenirs, you leave a little special moment of your wedding/marriage with your guests. I find that important.

That is why I CREATED A LIST FOR YOU at the end (so stay tuned) of wedding souvenir ideas on a budget. They are all cute cost-effective wedding items that your guests will definitely love and you’ll be happy. Be sure to sign up to get the list FOR FREE.

Side note: Try these passive income ideas to offset some expenses!

10. Music

What is a wedding without music, good music to be exact!

Remember we spoke about delegating tasks earlier? Ask someone you know who loves music to put together a wedding playlist for you. Put them on a laptop, attach speakers at the venue and allow them to play at the wedding.

I know you’ll want specific songs to play at specific moments (for example your bridal entrance and first dance), instruct the person who will manage the playlist to select those particular songs at the time you wish for them to play.

11. Photographer/Videographer

Wow, Now this is the one I would advise you to spend the most money on BUT ….we’re still working with our budget so let’s stick to it.

Wedding photos and videos will be your forever memory. Try to find a photographer that is not pricey. Ensure to do your research and see loads of wedding pictures he/she has already done.
You can find a lot of them via Instagram and Facebook or ask around. When you contact them, let them know the budget you’re working with and use your negotiating skills!

For Video, you do not have to pay to get this done. All you need to do is allow your friends and family to take video snippets of beautiful moments at the wedding and allow them to send the clips to you.

Put them all together via an app called iMovie (or whichever way you choose) and abracadabra! You have a video of your wedding and saved money.

12. Wedding cake

I love cake! Do you? It’s important to have a good-tasting cake. So you need to decide what kind you’re going to have made.

If you’re ordering from a cake store/shop, try to stay within your budget by not adding too many designs to your wedding cake. Also, if you realize it’s more cost-effective to have someone pick up the cake than have it delivered, you can do so and save money. Don’t forget your cake toppers and cake cutting tools.

13. Treats

I wanted to put something on the table for each guest that they could munch on. You don’t have to do this. I just wanted to share and give you an idea.

I got some little mini bags and I bought a big pack of mints and place a few in each bag, for each guest. It wasn’t pricey at all. You could also use Jordan Almonds or kisses chocolates, whatever works for you.

14. Master of Ceremony (MC)

Do you know anyone who is jovial, a good public speaker, grabs an audience effortlessly, knows how to do a good icebreaker and spice things up?

If yes, how about asking him/her to be your MC!

If not, look for someone with those characteristics, negotiate rates and hire them. You can start by asking around for referrals. One thing for sure, you’re going to need a good MC. You definitely don’t want your guests to fall into the pit of boredom!

15. Wedding food budget

So you want to have a wedding catering on a budget. The number of people you have on your guest list will dictate the amount you’ll spend on catering/food. You’ll also decide on the wedding food ideas on a budget outlined by you and your partner.

Since you’re planning a wedding on a budget, you may choose to:

1. Minimize your guest list
2. Calculate the cost for buffet style vs Alacarte – (customized for your wedding)
3. Ask persons you know can cook to help
4. Hire an affordable catering team
5. Create frugal menus

16. Wedding ring

I know you didn’t think for a second I was going to forget THE RING!

Absolutely no way, Ha!

So just to be totally honest with you, this item is something I personally believe is up to you to decide. I think it’s a very personal thing at a wedding.

Some people wish to get married without a ring, some spend the most money on it, some people wear generational rings (like from grandparents, parents…). So this one I’ll leave up to you.

My only advice (if you’re getting one on a budget) is to just search for some good deals at jewelry stores. Remember to stick to your budget, stay calm and be happy.

Frugal Wedding Tips

So now you know how to plan a wedding on a small budget. You may not necessarily be a frugal wife but just want to spend less on your wedding and more on other things you prioritize. For example, your honeymoon. Frugal weddings can be just as beautiful. You can even create a sample wedding budget, call around and see how much you can save. I hope these tips will really help in your wedding planning.

I’m glad I could share this with you and I really hope it helps. You can customize your wedding checklist to your own liking.

Also, If you know anyone who’ll help, please share and feel free to leave a comment.