7 wedding ideas on a budget: How to keep costs low for the big day
- Jan 14, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
When it comes to creating a wedding budget, costs can mount up pretty quickly. So if you don’t have an extensive fund to draw from, how can you still achieve the look and feel you want from your special day?
The good news is that there are ways to reduce spending and plan weddings on a budget without sacrificing on style or the magical atmosphere you’ve always dreamed of.
In this article, we outline some of the top ideas for a wedding on a budget. By the end, you’ll have some budget friendly wedding ideas under your belt to help plan your dream wedding without breaking the bank.
1. Choose less popular times to get married
If you’re flexible about when your big day happens, you can save a surprising amount on your venue and services. Weekdays, Sunday afternoons, or off-peak seasons often come with lower prices, while still giving you the same beautiful setting.
Evening ceremonies can also be a great way to host cheap weddings. At The Lawrence, for example, couples can book our twilight wedding packages, where the ceremony takes place in the evening (usually around 5.30pm).
With the option to remove the sit-down meal, seating plans, and speeches, twilight weddings make your big day more affordable. They’re also extremely romantic, with lights twinkling as the evening gets darker. Throw in some sparklers, and you create a magical wedding experience for you and your guests.
2. Make your own wedding décor
A good way to plan weddings on a budget is to take a DIY approach to your wedding décor. It’s a smart way to reduce your wedding budget while adding personal touches that make your day unique.
With a little creativity, time, and inspiration, you can create stunning details without splurging on professional services.
Here are some of the DIY ideas you can incorporate into your big day:
Create your own wedding stationery. Handwrite or print invitations, place cards, and table numbers. Tools like Canva or Adobe Express make designing easy, or reach out to creative friends or family for a helping hand.
Design your wedding seating plans. Print or handwrite table plans, use photo frames, or incorporate guest photos. You can use online templates on tools like Canva to help with the design.
Make eye-catching DIY décor. Create large paper flowers, giant pom-poms, colourful garlands, or upcycled decorations. Second-hand items like fairy light curtains can add charm without blowing your budget.
Prepare your own budget wedding favours. Bake treats like cake pops or fill mini jars with jam, finishing with handwritten labels or ribbon. Use label printers or printable sticker sheets, or ask a crafty friend to assist.
Craft your centrepieces. Stack books, jars, or candles to create low-cost yet stylish centrepieces for your wedding tables. Tutorials on Pinterest or YouTube are great guides. Here’s an example:
DIY décor not only cuts costs but also gives your wedding a bespoke, heartfelt atmosphere.
Top tip: You can always reach out to creative friends or family members to lend a hand, making the process even more fun!
3. Choose seasonal items
Flowers, food, and décor that are in season are more affordable, easier to source, and often look fresher and more vibrant.
Seasonal choices also keep your wedding naturally cohesive and visually appealing. Choosing items that are in season allows you to source locally, cutting down on delivery fees and reducing your environmental impact.
These are some wedding elements you can select based on the season:
Create your own floral arrangements. Use seasonal blooms for bouquets, buttonholes, table arrangements, and backdrops. Consider dried flowers for a boho or rustic vibe (they last weeks and can be prepared in advance). For tables, you could tie sprigs of lavender, rosemary, or wildflowers to name cards with twine for a simple, fragrant touch.
Decorate with seasonal backdrops. Use greenery, flowers, or fabric that match the season to create aisle, altar, or cake backdrops. Even simple materials like twine and draped fabric make a stunning seasonal display.
Plan your menu around seasonal produce. Choose locally sourced, in-season ingredients for your menu or canapés. Seasonal ingredients keep costs down and ensure your dishes are fresh and full of flavour.
Incorporate seasonal colours and props. Add seasonal textures and colour schemes into table runners, bunting, or chair décor. Items like autumn leaves, pinecones, or spring blossoms can add style without extra expense.
Find out more about the best wedding flowers for each season.
4. Bake your own wedding cake
Making your own wedding cake is a fun and cost-effective way to add a personal touch to your big day.
Start by choosing your flavours and practising both the baking and decoration in the weeks leading up to the wedding to build confidence for your final creation.
Watch this video for a quick breakdown on how to make your own wedding cake:
If elaborate decoration feels daunting, a naked cake is a simple yet stylish option. Dust with icing sugar and add seasonal fruit around the edges for a naturally elegant look. You could also use some of the money saved to order a bespoke cake topper, adding a special, personalised element.
Another idea is to create a family dessert table, featuring tried-and-tested recipes from relatives (like Grandma’s apple pie or your Uncle’s chocolate brownies). Not only does this save money by having loved ones contribute, but it also adds a heartfelt, personal touch that your guests will remember.
Top tip: If the idea of making a wedding cake doesn’t thrill you, take a look at some wedding cake alternatives that might fit the bill instead! Or if you really would prefer not to create your own cake, here’s our list of the best wedding cake suppliers in Lancashire.
5. Prepare your own wedding entertainment
Entertaining guests during those in-between moments doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Cheap weddings can include DIY games and activities that are quick to set up, require minimal space, and add a playful touch to your celebration.
Here are some quick and cost-effective ways to entertain guests at your wedding:
Set up a peg game. Give guests a basket of wooden pegs and encourage them to attach them to each other throughout the day and night. This game is simple, interactive, and gets guests laughing and mingling naturally. You can personalise the pegs by painting them or adding ribbons to match your theme.
Build a tin can pyramid. Cover tin cans in fabric, wallpaper, or themed paper and let guests throw a ball to knock them over. It’s simple yet competitive.
Make a treasure hunt for younger guests. Provide children with a checklist of items to find, like someone wearing glasses or a red flower. The best man or maid of honour can give the final clue to the location of a hidden prize.
Set up a selfie station. Use a backdrop, props, and a camera or smartphone. Guests can take their own photos, creating fun memories without hiring a professional photographer. You could also use disposable cameras to keep costs down and allow guests to take their own photos.
6. Find a cheaper alternative to a brand-new wedding dress
You don’t need to spend a fortune to wear the dress of your dreams. Finding a budget-friendly option can save thousands while still making you feel stunning on your big day.
Here are some tips for finding budget wedding dresses:
Look for sales and discounts. Many wedding dress retailers offer discounted or sample gowns that look just as beautiful as full-price dresses. Search outlet stores or local bridal boutiques for these hidden gems.
Rent a wedding dress. Rental services let you wear designer gowns for a fraction of the cost, perfect for couples prioritising savings without sacrificing style.
Consider pre-loved dresses. Second-hand wedding dresses can be a fraction of the price and often require minimal alterations. Look on reputable resale sites or local bridal shops specialising in pre-owned gowns.
Check high-street bridal lines. Retailers like ASOS and Next offer wedding collections with stylish, affordable options, perfect for fashion-focused or boho brides.
Even if a second-hand dress isn’t a perfect fit, a skilled seamstress can adjust it to your shape.
7. Be your own DJ
Taking charge of your wedding music is an easy way to save money while tailoring the soundtrack exactly to your taste.
Curating your own playlist allows you to set the mood throughout the evening and ensure your favourite songs get played. It also gives you more control over the vibe, from background music during dinner to dancefloor hits later on.
Take a look at some of the ways you can deliver an epic soundtrack to your big day:
Create a shared playlist with your partner. Decide on the overall vibe and add your must-have tracks for different parts of the day. And if you need some inspiration, take a look at our article about the top 10 wedding first dance songs!
Invite guests to contribute. Send the playlist link to guests ahead of the wedding and ask them to add their favourite songs so everyone has a chance to hear a tune they love.
Organise the playlist by moments. Separate sections for pre-ceremony, dinner, and dancing to make transitions smooth.
Save the playlist offline: Avoid interruptions by downloading the playlist or having it ready on a device that doesn’t rely on Wi-Fi.
Being your own DJ not only saves money but also ensures your wedding soundtrack is full of songs that truly matter to you and your guests.
Side note: Depending on your wedding venue, you may need to hire sound equipment or lighting if these aren’t already available.
Plan your affordable dream wedding at The Lawrence
Using wedding ideas on a budget doesn’t mean compromising on style, romance, or fun. By choosing off-peak times, DIY décor, seasonal items, and affordable alternatives, you can create a memorable day without overspending.
At The Lawrence, we care deeply about making budget friendly weddings truly magical. From enchanting twilight ceremonies to stunning daytime celebrations, our experienced team can offer guidance, inspiration, and practical tips so that your wedding is exactly how you’ve always dreamed.
Get in touch to discover our wedding packages and start planning an unforgettable day.
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