Weddings are incredibly expensive! When considering a budget, you make a list and suddenly find out that everything is damn expensive, much more than you expected, and sometimes some unexpected expenses can appear. If you want to reduce the budget and save as much money as possible, this roundup is for you.
Wedding Attire
Renting wedding outfits isn’t that popular but is still a good idea, especially if you want something more or less basic to wear. If renting isn’t for you, there are many more ways to go: making an outfit yourself, that’s a good idea for those who like to sew, or even a better idea: composing a look of what you already have. This is a nice solution for a casual wedding and especially for an elopement, you can create many modern looks with pantsuits for everyone and with slip skirts and dresses for gals.
This casual bridal look is composed of a basic white button down and a tulle skirt and it is great.
The bride is wearing a white slip dress and a cropped sweater with leaf appliques.
You might have a simple white skirt or a white tux in your wardrobe, style the look with bold shoes and statement accessories.
If you go to the office, you might already have a white pantsuit that you can wear to your wedding.
The bride is rocking a silver sequin maxi skirt and a white blouse with a brooch.
This bride nailed it with her summer city hall wedding look wearing a white blazer, denim bermudas and a straw bag with blooms. (via elle).
The bride is wearing a maxi slip dress, an oversized blazer and a pearl purse is adorable.
If you are a winter bride, you can wear a white oversized sweater and a slip skirt plus statement accessories.
The bride is wearing a minimal look of a white slip dress and an oversized blazer.
A slip dress and a white blazer can be styled in a bold way, with gold shoes, accessories and a bag.
Wedding Decor
First of all, think about the style, the less money you want to spend, the more informal it should be. An elopement just for two will require the lowest budget, the more people you invite, the more money you spend. A casual, informal or backyard wedding allows spending less money. Using your own home or garden for the reception will save you a lot on the venue.
As for decor, you can DIY it, and even floral arrangements aren’t that difficult to make, you don’t need florists to make them yourself. Stick to seasonal flowers as they are cheaper or go for flowers from your, your parents’ and friends’ gardens if any. If a wedding arch is too difficult to make, go for a wedding backdrop that matches your style or use your porch and hang some flowers there. String lights are perfect for creating a mood and an ambience, and candles will make the reception cozier.
Make an easy cluster centerpiece of terracotta vases and peachy roses, it looks super stylish.
This wedding centerpiece is made of eucalyptus, a glass bowl with a floating candle and candles around.
This wedding backdrop is quite easy to make: you can hang blooms on wire and voila!.
Make such a sign yourself using a vintage mirror in a chic frame and some baby's breath.
Make such a sustainable potted plant wedding centerpiece yourself.
Making cards like these ones is quite easy: print out simple cards and add pressed flowers for a lovely look.
Make such a bold table number of a card and dried citrus slices yourself for a summer wedding.
Such a welcome sign can be DIYed, you can make a box, add letters and then put florist foam and blooms inside.
Make such bright fun wedding centerpieces yourself just putting flowers you like in vases.
Make a classic centerpiece yourself of tall vases, baby's breath and floating candles. (via themummyfront).
Make an elegant seating chart of vintage frames and printed pages and greenery on top. (via homebnc).
This chic wedding centerpiece is made of book stacks, fresh blooms and pillar candles. (via thediydesire).
This flower wedding backdrop can be DIYed for the ceremony, read this tutorial to find out how to. (via louwhatwear).
This minimalist wedding tablescape is done with baby's breath, plates and a grey tablecloth, and you can easily repeat it. (via stonehouseweddings).
This desert wedding centerpiece is composed of potted cacti and pillar candles. (via brides).
The book stack covered with leaves and candles is a lovely and romantic wedding centerpiece idea. (via confettiandroses).
Wedding Entertainment
If you have active friends or musicians, ask them to play and make some games as your wedding gift. That will save you money on entertainments and music.
Wedding Food
If you can cook, feel free to cook as much food as you want. Fast food receptions like burger and pizza ones are very crowd-pleasing and can save you a lot of money. If it’s a warm season, go for a bbq reception outdoors, and fresh berries and veggies from your garden, if any, will be perfect. Buy a basic grocery store cake and style it to make it look wedding-appropriate.
Offer your guests such easy snacks: champagne and popcorn in a cone.
These midnight snacks are easy to make: serve French fries and Coke bottles.
This is a basic cake elevated with fresh pansies for a summer wedding.
Make your own mini apple pies on sticks, which can be given as favors or can be served as desserts.