{"id":3292,"date":"2023-03-15T16:11:30","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T21:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/going-places.thegeneral.com\/budget-wedding\/"},"modified":"2025-08-27T10:04:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T15:04:19","slug":"budget-wedding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thegeneral.com\/going-places\/blog\/car-and-driving-basics\/budget-wedding\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Congratulations, you\u2019re about to tie the knot! In addition to all the joy you\u2019re experiencing, you\u2019re probably starting to think about wedding expenses. While it can be sobering to hear that the average wedding in America costs around $20,000 to $30,000, don\u2019t cast aside your dreams of a traditional wedding. You can still have a beautiful wedding without breaking the bank with these planning and <\/span>budgeting tips<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Set a Wedding Budget<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Use these tips to decide how much you can afford to spend on your upcoming wedding: <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Find out who\u2019s contributing.<\/span><\/b> If your family members or future in-laws are planning on contributing to the wedding financially, politely ask them what part of the wedding they want to cover or how much they want to contribute. We know that money conversations can be awkward but learning which part of the wedding is covered can help you create a budget.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Run the numbers.<\/span><\/b> After getting a rough idea of how much financial assistance you\u2019ll receive, it\u2019s time to figure out your contributions. Take stock of your usual expenses and decide how much disposable income you and your fianc\u00e9 can afford to put towards your wedding. You can also look at your saving and see if you can pull from there without jeopardizing your financial health.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Estimate your guest count.<\/span><\/b> When it comes to setting your wedding budget, the number of people on your guest list will have the biggest influence on your final number. Since every guest requires food, drinks, a seat at the table, dessert, etc., it\u2019s helpful to look at each guest as one expense. Shortening your guest list can keep costs low while ensuring your wedding feels intimate and special.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Do your research.<\/span><\/b> Searching the web and using sites like Pinterest will give you a rough idea of how much each wedding item will cost. Add them together and you\u2019ll have a great springboard for creating the rest of your budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Planning an Affordable Wedding<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In addition to booking a smaller venue and reducing your guest list where possible, opting for more affordable alternatives to pricy wedding items can help you stay under budget and leave extra money for your honeymoon. Use these tips to lower your wedding costs without sacrificing ambiance. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Book Your Wedding During the Week<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Most venues offer discounts to couples who schedule their wedding on a weekday, as these are considered \u201cnon-peak\u201d days in the wedding industry. In addition, most venues want to book their entire week but struggle to do so, which you can use as leverage to negotiate a lower price. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Choose a Non-Traditional Venue<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019re on a tight budget, choosing the right venue can be key to saving money. Unique venues are often the most affordable and just as camera worthy as your typical venues. Here are nine inexpensive venue ideas to get you thinking: <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n