Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting—and stressful—times in life. Between the venue, the dress, the food, and all the little details, costs can spiral out of control fast. When I got engaged, I knew I wanted a beautiful day, but I also didn’t want to start married life drowning in debt. So, I set out to budget for my wedding in a way that kept us financially secure. Here’s exactly how I did it—step-by-step, with all the details I learned along the way.
Step 1: Set a Realistic Budget (and Stuck to It)
The first thing I did was sit down with my partner to figure out what we could actually afford. We looked at our savings, monthly income, and any contributions from family (we were lucky to get a small amount from my parents). After crunching the numbers, we settled on a total wedding budget of $12,000. That might sound low to some, but it was realistic for us.
Pro Tip: Don’t just pick a random number. Base your budget on what you have available after accounting for your regular expenses and an emergency fund. I used a simple spreadsheet to track every expense category—venue, attire, food, etc.—and made sure the total never exceeded $12,000.
Step 2: Prioritized What Mattered Most
Not every part of a wedding is equally important to everyone. For me, I cared most about good food and a great photographer to capture the day. My partner wanted a live band instead of a DJ. We decided to splurge a little on those priorities and cut back elsewhere.
For example, instead of an expensive venue, we rented a local community center for $500. It wasn’t fancy, but with some DIY decorations (more on that later), it looked amazing. By knowing our “must-haves,” we avoided wasting money on things we didn’t care about, like extravagant floral arrangements or a five-tier cake.
Step 3: Got Creative with DIY Solutions
One of the biggest ways I saved money was by doing things myself or enlisting help from friends and family. Here’s what worked:
- Invitations: I designed our invites using Canva (free!) and printed them at a local print shop for $50 total instead of spending $300+ on professional stationery.
- Decorations: I bought bulk flowers from a wholesale market for $100 and spent an afternoon with my bridesmaids making centerpieces. We also borrowed string lights from a friend instead of renting them.
- Favors: Instead of pricey trinkets, we made homemade jam (my partner’s specialty) and packaged it in $20 worth of mini jars from a craft store.
These projects didn’t just save money—they made the wedding feel more personal.
Step 4: Shopped Smart for Big-Ticket Items
The dress, catering, and photography were the biggest expenses, so I got strategic:
- The Dress: I found a gorgeous secondhand gown online for $300 (originally $1,200). Sites like Stillwhite and Preowned Wedding Dresses are goldmines if you’re open to pre-loved options. I had it altered for $50, and it fit like a dream.
- Catering: Instead of a full sit-down dinner, we opted for a buffet-style meal from a local restaurant we loved. It cost $15 per person for 80 guests ($1,200 total) versus $40+ per head from traditional caterers. We skipped the open bar and offered a signature cocktail plus beer and wine, which saved another $500.
- Photography: I found a talented up-and-coming photographer who charged $800 for a six-hour package instead of the $2,000+ quoted by established pros. Her portfolio was amazing, and she was thrilled for the gig.
Step 5: Negotiated and Bartered When Possible
Vendors aren’t always set in stone with pricing. I politely asked for discounts or package deals, especially since our wedding was on a Friday (off-peak days often mean lower rates). The band dropped their fee from $1,200 to $900 because we booked them early. I also bartered with a friend who’s a baker—she made our simple two-tier cake in exchange for us helping her move a few weeks later.
Step 6: Kept the Guest List Small
This was tough but necessary. Every extra guest adds costs for food, seating, and invites. We capped our list at 80 people—close family and friends only. It wasn’t easy saying no to distant cousins or coworkers, but it kept our budget intact and made the day more intimate.
Step 7: Avoided Last-Minute Panic Spending
In the final weeks, it’s tempting to overspend on “just one more thing.” I avoided this by sticking to my spreadsheet and saying no to impulse buys. When I realized we forgot table numbers, I printed them at home instead of rushing to order custom ones.
The Final Breakdown
Here’s how our $12,000 budget shook out:
- Venue: $500
- Dress + Alterations: $350
- Catering: $1,200
- Drinks: $300
- Photography: $800
- Band: $900
- Cake: Free (bartered)
- Invitations: $50
- Decorations/Flowers: $200
- Miscellaneous (rings, officiant, etc.): $1,700
- Buffer (for unexpected costs): $1,000
- Total Spent: $6,000
We actually came in under budget, leaving us $6,000 for our honeymoon!
The Takeaway
Budgeting for a wedding without debt isn’t about sacrifice—it’s about creativity and focus. By setting a clear budget, prioritizing what mattered, and getting resourceful, we had an unforgettable day that didn’t haunt our bank account. If I can do it, so can you. Start with what you can afford, get your partner on board, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Your dream wedding doesn’t have to come with a nightmare price tag.
