How to Plan A Wedding for LESS Than $5K?!

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[@JamieWolfer]

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[@baileygroome]

Bridesmaid bouquets for centerpieces

[@raeahthewriter8082]

I adore you. Our budget is 5k. Thank you for not being dismissive or saying we’re going to regret not hiring all pro vendors.

[@amb158]

Everyone I have talked to and taken advice from (who are also not able to afford a 30k wedding or something crazy) has said the only thing you shouldn't go cheap on is the photographer. If you can find deals on everything else or find a way to do it cheaper yourself, do it, but everyone tells me to make sure to get a good professional photographer if nothing else.

[@sierrahulbert7494]

My wedding came in just under 4k, it’s totally possible to have a beautiful wedding with a small budget 🥰

[@catinar3148]

How did you do it?

[@sierrahulbert7494]

@Catina R biggest thing was the venue was family property, also bucket flowers instead of arrangements & my MOH did all the bouquets. Photographer was a long time friend who gave me a discounted rate, Dress was on clearance, and family helped out a lot with making food & drinks, set up, and tear down. Also we were 19&20 so it was byob

[@elchinn87]

Congratulations 🎊. Fantastic job.

[@beckybeaver1988]

I am getting married in 9 days and planned our wedding in less than a month. Our budget is less than $3,000, and we are nailing it it. Our theme is boho at our church, and instead of full-on meal, we are doing a dessert reception. The biggest expense is photography by a friend who is charging us $850 and our attire.

[@butterflyn8062]

This is handy. When we get married, we'd rather splurge on our honeymoon trip than the wedding itself ☺️

[@nieawiggins512]

Instead of $10K for the museum/garden venue, I'm paying a $250 sitting fee to have our portraits taken there with an incredible photog in full wedding dress. We've actually scrapped our entire $30K wedding in lieu of taking our family on a trip instead. We had a lot of guest list and decided to walk away from the entire thing. So we are going to spend $500 on a walk in chapel with our kids present, have formal photos mocked up essentially at our original venue, since the photos were essentially my #2 behind the actual marriage and essentially spend the rest taking the kids and parents on a trip. So in the end, I get my husband, my photos at my childhood dream venue and my kid, my adopted kids, my poor mother and everyone else gets the trip of a lifetime with truly lasting memories and a billion more photos that mean something to everyone because it was more than one night.

[@e.z.236]

Sounds wonderful! It's a pitty that one way of marrying has become popular, when there are actually soo many more ways how to have a wedding!

[@kimmyk3640]

The best DIY I did for my wedding was to hide speakers in the bushes and the stereo in a nearby building to play Vivaldi for my ceremony because i really wanted a string quartet, but couldnt afford it. My music was perfect.

[@SNESpool]

Such a smart idea!

[@AK-jt9gx]

Vivaldi for your ceremony sounds beautiful! And your spouse found a keeper, with that ingenuity hiding them in the bushes. Love it!

[@tayloralexb]

Im not a makeup artist but I am a professional performer who does all my own hair and makeup for shows so I’m DIYing my hair and make up for my wedding. My advice to anyone wanting to do the same is to not just practice but practice with a time restraint that is shorter than what will be allocated on your wedding day. Things often run behind and with the stress/nerves/excitement of the day it will make it more challenging.

[@itssteph263]

I'm planning on doing my own hair and makeup for mine too. I'm planning on cheating on hair a little bit by doing overnight hair curlers. I have naturally curly hair, but I don't trust it to magically be perfect that day.

[@LorieLynn]

I basically just decided I’m not going to do make-up at all because I have never seen a bride who didn’t look a bit like a clown in their wedding make-up and I don’t want to worry about messing it up by crying or some shit. As for my hair, I may get it cut but I’m just going to wear the way I literally always do. Pulled back in a braid. Another case of I don’t want to have to worry about accidentally messing it up. When it comes to budget I basically decided people already know what I look like so I’ll worry about venue and catering instead

[@Sky-Child]

Love it. Theatre bride here and I am absolutely DIYing my hair and makeup

[@merrittgates8653]

For flowers: find a local farm!!! I work at a flower farm and we sell “DIY wedding buckets” which are just buckets of flowers. Super fresh and beautiful and SO much cheaper. We also offer to make some arrangements like bouquets and bouts if needed, which will cost a little more but it’s optional. Highly reccommend!! Local farms love and need support!

[@emilygeddeshome]

I am 18, getting married in May, and I am just loving these videos. I’m also cracking up because half of these things are a given for me (no alcohol because we’re both underage, getting married in a church because my father is a pastor, and doing my own hair and makeup because I’m a cosmetologist 😂) and I just love it!

[@RaquelX305]

That’s awesome!!!! Congratulations!

[@catinar3148]

That's great

[@BB-bx4dp]

At my sister's wedding, she used grocery store flowers that she put in glass milk bottle "vases" (we already had a collection of milk bottles that she borrowed); dessert was store-bought pies. Beer was served from kegs. Entertainment was lawn games. Dress was from a chain store, and she wore shoes she already owned. Venue was a friend's farm.

[@nadiadansani2139]

With food trucks deeeeefinitely recommend making sure they’ve done a large event before. Wedding I was at recently , the line was super long, and they didn’t have any food prepped or enough staff. The same person taking the order was making the food. They had 3 workers in total.

[@lizd6886]

The weddings I've been to cost around this much and are beautiful. They hire decorators (who use fake flowers) instead of florists, venues come with tables and chairs already, using table linens and chair covers, buffet style dinner, DJ instead of live band etc

[@Rats1738]

Me doing that already… 10k later

[@naomisaldana5200]

Same 🤣 I think it also depends on where you live

[@emmalleedoublev7138]

When you said you were linking a DJs Spotify list I almost cried, I have been seriously stressed about music. Thank you so much for doing this for us brides, and that awesome DJ too

[@nottheRachelyourelookingfor]

This is literally THE video I have been waiting for!!! Our budget is $3.5k at max and at every point I can cut costs, I will/have. We're getting married in October 2023 and I've been planning/DIYing stuff for 5 months already. 🤣 Our ceremony and reception will both be held at a county-owned park about 4 minutes from our house. They have a beautiful wedding pavilion already, plus a pavilion about 200ish yards away that can be rented simultaneously for receptions for $500 total for the pair for the entire day! Our guest count including wedding party plus us is 66 people, and it's going to be on a Tuesday, so not even all of them will attend, lol. That's totally fine by us because we are on a budget. My dress will probably be the next most expensive thing, but I really don't want to spend over $600 on it if I can help it. Our officiant is about $170 because we wanted a professional who has experience with non-traditional non-Christian weddings (difficult to find in Alabama, y'all). The ceremony pavilion literally doesn't even need decorating, it's just naturally pretty, with a stone fireplace and chandelier. The seating is built-in. The reception pavilion has picnic tables that we'll be modifying the tops of with some foamboard before covering to get rid of the metal-grate-looking tabletops. The centerpieces are all diy projects I made with some embroidery hoops, spray paint, glitter, bling wrap, and foam roses from Amazon, surrounded by diy pillar candles I also made, on mirror risers I also made, lol. We only have 8 guest tables, thankfully. Larger decorations were made with hula hoops, pool noodles, more fake flowers, gold spray paint, bling wrap, some chandelier beading, and some hanging terrarium globes and fairy lights. The favors came from Wish.com and will be filled with candy. I'm making the wedding cake and the groom's cake (I've made a few wedding cakes before), so looking at about $400 for the pair, mainly to replace some equipment beforehand. The disposable plates, napkins, cups, and cutlery will be about $150. Food will primarily be finger foods and charcuterie style items from Aldi and Kroger. I have made most of the serving trays and platters myself from Dollar Tree (glass) plates and platters. I still need to make my cake stand (from a wall clock, filled with foam board, topped with a mirror, and covered on the sides with bling wrap). The beverages will be bought from Costco (flats of cans, but poured into individual cups with ice because I don't want the cans in pictures, lol). We'll be buying the tablecloths at about $5 each, and runners at about $2.89 each, and 2 chair covers for our chairs at the sweetheart table for about $5 each. We've been researching rental costs for speakers so that's still undetermined, but we're putting together our playlists. Our photography will be done by 3 of our friends (all photographers) for free as gifts. We're buying a tent (actually cheaper than renting one around here 😅) for the bridal party to get ready in for about $100. A friend of mine (who has her cosmetology license and is great) will be doing our hair and my makeup. The bridesmaids will be carrying kissing balls instead of bouquets and the boutonnieres have been ordered (from Wish.com) already. My bouquet will be about $150 because I'm making a brooch bouquet. My shoes are gold flats from Amazon and I'm wearing my great grandmother's pearl necklace with earrings and a tiara (already ordered from Amazon). We'll buy my fiancé's suit and the groomsmen already have theirs. Bridesmaids are buying their own stuff. Now that I typed it all out and reread it, I feel the panic subsiding, lol.. Good luck everyone!!

[@debconsugar3780]

Please share pictures!

[@oceandreams97]

Well now iam panicing!

[@SD-hr2dm]

Congratulations! I'm getting married this October too, I live in TN. And I'm doing wedding with a budget, though my man still have not gave me exact number! Lol. Venue already booked, dress bought, flowers ordered for bouquets for me and 3 bridesmaids. working on wedding decorations and trying to decide if I want to do taco bar my self or hire someone for about $1000. we will have about 56 guests. probably do my own hair with help from sis, but I don't know how to do makeup, and Can't find great photographer for less than $2000. still a lot to dom you are ahead of me. Best of luck!

[@nottheRachelyourelookingfor]

@@oceandreams97 I flip between panicking and breathing about every 2 days now! 😂

[@nottheRachelyourelookingfor]

@S D wishing you ALL the luck!! You probably aren't very far from me if you're in TN- we're in the Huntsville, AL area, lol. Our venue is booked and fully paid, just need my dress and his shirt & shoes, and the tablecloths & runners. It's all slowly shaping up and each week or so, I update all my lists (attire needs, food & beverage service items, guest table diy decor items, memory table items, sign in table decor and guestbook, and a few others because I am a hopelessly chronic lister 🤣) so I know how much we already have accomplished. Hopefully, he'll get you a headcount for his folks soon. I know it must be stressful trying to plan for seating, food, beverages, etc, without a solid number. I'd be panicking more. 😂 Hang in there!!

[@courtneycamera1]

I just screamed/squealed when you said have a picnic for your seating! That is so genius and so cute it’s just *chef’s kiss* I’m probably not going to have a $5k wedding but some of these ideas could help anyone trying to save a bit of cash on the big day!!!!

[@laurenhitchings4046]

One of my favorite weddings that I ever went to was a small low-budget wedding. For the reception, they just booked out the back room at a cute brewery - minimal decor needed. Dinner was pizza, which was a huge hit, and there were homemade baked goods for dessert. We all paid for our own drinks out in the main room of the brewery and had a blast celebrating with the happy couple. Bells and whistles are nice, but that was the proof for me that it really doesn't take much to make those great memories!

[@mjbluesfan]

In Pittsburgh, PA, we do a thing here at weddings called the Pittsburgh Cookie Table! Family and friends bake and bring lots of cookies to the reception for all to enjoy. Recruit your friends and family who love to bake to help with this. I'm sure Pittsburgh would love for this tradition to spread all across this country!

[@kathryneprickett2083]

That sounds so cute

[@joyfuljaj]

A friend of mine did something similar and labelled whose treats were whose. Like, "aunt Mabel's cheese straws" etc. They asked a few friends to help keep platters stocked during the reception. They had a church wedding with reception in the fellowship hall, borrowed linens from the husband's workplace. I think the church actually had a good number of linens though.

[@nataliet.9403]

im gonna use white ostrich feathers as my centerpieces because I dont want fake flowers at my wedding, and white ostrich feathers are different, beautiful, and it looks elegant.

[@thatmamakeyz65]

YAAAAYYYY!!!!!! I just SCREAMED when this popped on my alerts! time to stop EVERYTHING I'm doing, grab my notepad and hopefully get some hope. but if anyone can do it. Its Jamie! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!

[@robinruane6255]

Our wedding was $3200 total for20 people. Photography & cake were both done by family/ friends as wedding gifts. We had a beach ceremony at a public beach ($100) and the reception was at the local Mason lodge ($250 - small room but plenty for us). I had an amazing caterer who took care of the rental items we needed too - chairs for the beach, linens. We bought prosecco and sparkling cider for toasts and the caterer took care of the other drinks - soft drinks and tea/coffee. We diy'd the flowers- $200 at Costco and I loved them.

[@maryspurlock4107]

My husband and I actually got married in July 2020, and I'm still here watching your wedding guide videos, and vlogs! We got extremely lucky with our wedding. We live in north Texas, but always wanted to get married in Colorado, as our family goes up there every year for our family reunion in July. I found the most amazing venue, not far from where we have our reunion every year. The amazing Zana, owner of Paradise Ranch in Pagosa Springs, CO, provides this huge main cabin to prepare for the day, a separate cabin for the groom to get ready in, tables, chairs, linens, AND has a "something borrowed barn" that has every piece of decor we needed...not to mention the most gorgeous scenery/backdrop we could've asked for! We saved $2000 by having our wedding on a Monday. Due to covid, our caterer, Kip's Grill, had to drop the food off. That ended up being a little bit more expensive because they packaged all of the food so that every table basically had its own taco bar on the table which equaled more supplies needed from the caterer. My amazing cousins, one of which plans weddings, aunts, and friends helped with flower arrangements. I just ordered babies breath from the local store in town, and my cousin brought some hydrangea plants! A photographer friend of mine took our pictures, and one of my cousins who works for a beer distributing company in Texas brought our beer, and we were able to get it extremely discounted. We brought our cake from Texas in coolers, and it was perfect. Overall, we ended up spending around $8000 for our wedding. It couldn't have been more beautiful, and we couldn't be more grateful for everyone involved. Including you, Jamie! Even if you didn't know it at the time. So sorry for the massive paragraph, but it's nice to know you can have a beautiful wedding for pretty cheap, if you know where to look, and who to ask.

[@thatmamakeyz65]

Thank you for sharing and still hanging out around here!!!! That's awesome!

[@randim.7657]

Getting married next September in SW Oregon, and I have been waiting for this one! My fiance and I have about a 4k budget with about a 50-person guest count, but we are in a band, so we're getting married outdoors at one of the breweries we play at. We are getting a discount on both venue and alcohol, and they have their own tables, chairs, etc. So using any networks you have will help with the cost. We are going to spend the money to hire a DJ, food truck and photographer though, but we've worked with them all in the past. We are also DIY'ing a lot of things, including the dress, flowers (fake and on sale), makeup/hair, etc., and we are making our own invites, signs and paper goods with a Cricut. One thing that has really helped me is planning ahead for clearance sales or using coupons for seasonal decorations, material and flowers.

[@LammyHowl]

Your videos have helped make wedding planning my favorite stress relief instead of a source of stress - and I'm single! I'm just having fun looking on basic invites and 50 flowers and laughing at wedding horror stories about farting groomsmen. Thanks Jamie! Love you!

[@summerstevens1345]

I have just started planning my wedding and have set a budget of $10,000. I still have a long way to go but your videos have been extremely helpful. I am currently sitting at under $7,000. My biggest money saver has been getting used items where possible (yard sales and Facebook marketplace have been a lifesaver) and making decoration plans using what I already had (ex., using my white Christmas lights to decorate the venue).

[@rachelallen4810]

Your videos are so helpful! Would you consider making a video with suggestions for shorter engagement periods? I'm looking at potentially 4ish month timeline and am not sure how much things change with last minute arrangements. :)

[@sleepywitchcrafts]

I'm in love with you and your channel! Definitely gained a new subscriber! I'm trying to plan my wedding for this up coming October!

[@karenmm]

I've been anxiously waiting for this for so long!! That is my exact budget and I have been so excited for this ever since you first mentioned it, thank you Jamie!!

[@tinajones3918]

absolutely appreciate all of your videos!! truly helped me sooo much during this crunch time while still trying to create my dream wedding ❤

[@snehalkita]

appreciate you so much! such amazing tips!!

[@gabyfernandes6334]

You’re the best!!! I’m stressing while planning but this is helping

[@the.homestead.dietitian]

We just found a BEAUTIFUL venue at a state park! Has an outdoor amphitheater, banquet hall, equipment, chairs/linens/tables, and caters the food. Total cost for 40 people is $3,000 for everything INSANE deal

[@user-vn8on9xu5q]

Thank you so much for this video!!! We are newly engaged and planning on a budget.

[@marishalegan-johnson6413]

Jamie! You are amazing. I’m not married, not engaged but was helping a friend plan her wedding a year ago and have been watching you ever since! Thank you, thank you and thank you! I can’t wait to binge watch your content when I get engaged because yes to you. Please keep going on KZbin FOREVER. K, cool, thanks!!

[@HaleyHeintz]

This is so funny, because with Jamie's help and tons of planning we were able to pull off almost this budget!! (Went a little bit over on photography and decor. But that's ok!!) When it comes to the hair though...I had to pause 🤣🤣 my adult niece did my hair--we had FOUR trials, the last one was AWESOME. But day of, it was humid and rainy, I had been crying because of the stress, and my hair had grown out a teeny bit. She was nervous and stressed getting it done in time since we were running late, and I HATED how it turned out. People say it looked fine, but it wasn't what I wanted. Just goes to show you can follow all of the advice and still have issues haha. I know this can happen with a professional too though, that's why I went with someone I could be honest with in the moment! But it was too late to make changes and work with the brown noodles on my head lol

[@catinar3148]

I love my church!!! A coordinator, decorator, sound (I use to run the sound), piano, singer, cooks, usher, Hair check, check check. One of his sisters is a florist. This is great

[@rosiewallen7097]

Thank you, planning my low budget wedding at the moment, Boho on a farm, Tractor as my transport xxx New Zealand

[@marichalecount974]

Omg, this was so helpful! So far, I am DIY-ing the flowers for the bridal party, and I have been freaking out about what else I can cut costs on. Thank you for all these ideas!

[@waveletka]

Love you so much! We did our wedding for less than 10k (but more than 5k) for 80people and we are really happy with the outcome. It is possible, but requires work :) Again, love what you are doing!

[@NerdySillyGirl]

To save money, we decided to get married in winter, where I live (south of France) some venues are 50% off from November to March. That way, I can have my ceremony and reception in a small Chateau. I'm a seamstress so I'll make my own dress. Thanks for the playlist recommendation!

[@brits6251]

Thank you so much for all your thoughts. I loved the creativity! It may make our wedding actually possible lol 😅

[@domizzi626]

Thank you so much for this vlog 🙏🏽. I’m a typical guy who doesn’t know anything about weddings, and I normally fall asleep when I’m invited to attend one. My fiancée and I will be getting married next year in May. We’re about to complete a K1 Visa process, and because of Covid and other immigration issues, we had a huge setback and weren’t able to save enough. Our budget is $5k or approximately. I will look into local churches or community center. And for entertainment probably do Mexican style bingo, karaoke etc.. good thing I have a friend who has photography and photoshop experience, so hopefully he can help me. And for food like you said, just have someone drop it off, and serve non alcoholic beverages etc..

[@hannahsmiraculoustextingstorys]

Hello cosmetologist and hairstylist here I have done hair for my little sister for her homecoming and I did my best friend’s makeup and nails for her engagement dinner. And I am going to add to the hair and makeup section it’s a good idea to have the 3 p’s at your disposals photos, photos, and… oh yeah photos of the look your trying to go for on your wedding day because even if you have a professional, your MOH, or even yourself having a pictures as a reference is going to make a world of a difference.

[@sylmarisquinones1907]

Kind of love this video!!!!

[@itsmealyssajaye7791]

I’m grateful my fiancé has a big family! Our budget is also 5k. We have someone making the best pulled pork for us for free. (Keep in mind we’re having a western rustic wedding) a photographer for free. A DJ for free! The big things other than a venue is covered! I’m blessed!

[@rene14slhs]

If you do the powdered tea and drinks, then also bring some cut-up fruits to put in the big dispenser.

[@ohshesglamorous]

My notifications have been waiting for this one!!!

[@thatmamakeyz65]

Same here girl!!!!

[@IShould.veKnown]

You are an angel. I’ve been wedding planning and feeling so stressed with the cost of everything and dealing with vendors. I wanted to enjoy this process but the wedding industry is so crazy. These tips help so much - and it’s so nice to hear someone actually on your side. And not ask for $3000 to do it 🤦‍♀️

[@barbarabelloni]

I actually love how fast you speak!

[@licoreen]

I am not planning a wedding. I just like this topic. Good tips! For my wedding flowers I had a florist make only my bouquet and boutonnières for my husband and our parents. We didn’t have bridesmaids and groomsmen. I got a couple dozen begonias from a nursery in 1-gallon pots and put them in pots from IKEA. They were the altar flowers and later the centerpieces and afterward my friend planted them.

[@thewitchs.hare_yt]

our wedding theme and typical home decor are very similar, very dark and gothic. so we're planning to get decorations that can be reused around the house. buy things that are versatile. for example, i have always wanted a little coffin shaped message board for the house, and at the wedding we plan to use it as decor with a lovely message and announcing mr. and mrs.

[@snagi02]

Thank you so much you are Amazing 😊

[@jessicalemoine2559]

For save the dates and invites, I designed my own on the free version of a graphic design platform, saved it as a jpg, then got them printed as 4x6 pictures from CVS. Cost me like $50 for each, then $25 for envelopes and $65 for stamps.

[@AnnaLove86]

I just love you I’m not going over 6k and this video was amazing thank you so much

[@paolanajera7107]

Thank you 🙏 Inflation has been tough on our family's economy

[@abigaildumo2255]

Love your budget videos! If at all possible it would be great to see visuals of what these budget weddings look like! Pinterest has mislead me lol and I need to be humbled a little 😂

[@itssteph263]

Take a look at r/weddingsunder10k people posts photos and their budget break downs there

[@the.homestead.dietitian]

@@itssteph263 thank you ❤

[@TheAlejandroAlfonso]

YOURE AWESOME

[@jaz9915]

My budget is maybe $6k For florals, we bought fake flowers from Hobby Lobby when they were doing a 50% off sale, and DIYed bouquets! No floral centerpieces, instead we'll have pictures and some card/board games

[@amandas6600]

Thank you so much for the links! I'm personally saving money by not hiring a florist and DIYing the flowers as well as my cake. There are loads of cake making tutorials on KZbin, but I also have a background in baking, and I'm not doing anything too elaborate. My advice to anyone wanting to do this is to practice, practice, practice! We are also saving money by only serving beer, wine, and cider and having a buffet style dinner. I found an old country community hall with beautiful wood interior and tables, chairs and wine glasses provided, for about 1/4 of the cost of most wedding venues where I live. So far the guest list is 70 people but that's including children, who will not be drinking alcohol of course. We are focusing our budget on food and entertainment, including a facepainter for the kids and a local DJ. I am going to DIY most of the decor, which is focused around lighting and greenery (hot tip: greenery is cheaper than flowers and looks lovely and lush). I have a long engagement which helps.

[@charlene336]

We decided to keep the guest list small & luckily we live in a small town in the mountains, so we can have the ceremony for free by a local lake 15 minutes away. Then we have told guests that in lieu of gifts they pay for their own dinner at a local fine dining restaurant. I realize some people will think this is tacky, but so far our important guests are ok with this. We are holding a community dance event the next evening at our local park,because my groom doesn't like to dance. A DJ was kind enough to create a mixed playlist for us for free & we are going to contact the city to see if they want to make our wedding dance a fundraiser for the local school.

[@checkinwithchinajessegonza7759]

More of these please

[@krystalarmarego539]

Gosh I wish there was someone in Australia that did videos like yours!!

[@erinjohnson7173]

Thank you SO. MUCH.

[@nikitabudgets4201]

I planned my wedding of under 20 guests for $450😊, I also planned it in 4 months

[@bethyc8735]

What are your secrets 👀

[@Sky-Child]

Under 20 guests is probably key here...

[@nriamond8010]

Friends of me paid MUCH less than 5k for about 50 guests (excluding the dress, but you can get one for very little money if you take a pre-loved one, which is better anway). They had a normal restaurant (separate room) which cost nothing, a nice buffet, hardly any decoration and a photographer only for the ceremony and couple pictures. The only real expense was the DJ. So, I'm not sure if restaurants offer this service in your country, but it might be worth asking!

[@SunnySarahDee]

We’re hosting a cottage BBQ and going local with the alcohol choices. The most expensive thing we have going on is the tent rental so far

[@TheGreeneBead]

Thank you for making this! We've already tried to figure out how to keep costs low, and we've only just gotten engaged last Thursday (but been talking about ideas for a wedding for a while, just off the cuff on random occasions over the years). We've already decided to use spotify/KZbin subscriptions for most of the music, except during cocktail hour, when one of my friends (who's a professional musician) will play while we do photos, and he's already told me his all-in rate to play the ceremony as well would only be $400 (we were also at his wedding back in 2018). One of my bridesmaids does cake decorating and photography as side gigs, so she's going to take our engagement photos and do the cake (simple double layer). My grandfather is a pastor, and I've asked him to do the (non-religious) ceremony, because we want to keep it short, and he's married everyone in my family. But he's waffling because of his age (85), so that's still up in the air. "Flowers" will be a mix of fake greenery, and our really cool spent flower stalks from our yard (we have hibiscus, milkweed and snapdragons, and the snapdragon seed pods look like little skulls 😍). I think I half-priced what I looked at around ~500 total; WAY less than the 2k minimum that most florists want!

[@brandymalinovski3212]

We had our main invite professionally done but I made all the inserts. I also found a free Cinderella font on the computer and used that instead of getting professional calligraphy (our wedding was Cinderella themed). My mother in law is a professional seamstress and did the alterations on my gown as my wedding gift (saved $1000 easy!). We had a Spotify playlist for everything instead of a professional DJ. That really worked out because I was much happier with the music than I would've been with a dj having control of it. We had fake flowers instead of real ones and I handmade our centerpieces. Still managed to spend about $25,000 because I'm kinda boujee but, some things I got for a steal lol

[@racheljenkins_04]

Okay, this is SO helpful. Two of my best friends are getting married next year; they're high school sweethearts, and are in their first year of college right now. So obviously, I'm sure their budget won't be huge. I'll definitely be sending them this video!

[@florencefineart]

Such a good friend! Congratulations to your best friends.🥰 I've been engaged for over a year. Budget was an issue, but largely my fiancé and I were unsatisfied living in a tiny studio. We're much better settled in our condo now and I'm back at wedding planning again. I wish the best for your friends's happiness and that it all works out! And no pressure if they wanna wait it out like we did, it's their engagement to enjoy on their own timeline.

[@yunnibun0421]

You just help me so much 😂you my new sista hunni periodit

[@hibiscusevents-planningand4431]

Great video with a lot of useful information. I would caution everyone to really listen to some of those things that undoubtedly would require a lot of finesse for a $5K budget.

[@JC-od3tg]

4:42 spot on My wife and I thought we'd save money if we do it in her parents big back yard but the added costs we're more that good venue plus parking is an issue

[@auntjosie756]

I'm from a super small south Louisiana town where we don't do "formal" weddings. We got the hall for $800 with tables, chairs and several decor pieces already there with a covered outdoor patio area. The hall has a kitchen and dad's best friend is a caterer so he will be doing all the food and it's BYOB. We did spend on a DJ and the Photographer is a professional wedding photographer in the family. Mom is doing all the decor.

[@GreenGrl2023]

Florals: the only florals I had made by a florist were my bouquet and my MOH’s bouquet. We didn’t have any standing arrangements b/c the wedding was in a very pretty historic setting that didn’t need much decoration. For table centerpieces, I used hurricanes from a discount store with floating candles in my wedding colors. And for corsages and boutonnières, I got sprays of fake pearls and crystals from the craft store and built them myself with florist tape and some pretty ribbon. You can even get those big corsage pins at the craft store too. I would have dearly loved to have more florals, but I just didn’t have the money. This was a great compromise, and the sprays of crystals looked great in the pictures!

[@Creeer2005]

I am a budget babe to begin with and tasked w keeping my wedding at 5 and under am looking forward to the challenge

[@Snugglesandfuncrafts20]

I am doing the food truck, dry wedding, limiting guests, and DIY

[@anacorona6234]

Gracias!

[@PatriciaBabs]

We are getting married in February and are doing a few things to provide for our wedding. 1. Venue options are open to venues that are not in the major city tend to be less expensive 2. We are hosting a stock the bar engagement party. 3. We are possibly using our church for the ceremony. 4. Our church has tables and chairs with covers for the reception that we may borrow. 5. Only two food options chicken and a white fish dinner rolls and several sides to accommodate even the vegetarians. 6. Renting a photo booth for 2 hours and 1 hr will be us standing to take pictures with guests and the remaining hour is for our guest. 7. DIY backdrops no need for a decorator will be seeking a teen to setup and break down as well as serve food. Hope this inspires some. Our budget is 5k

[@nadiadansani2139]

Mmm never thought about a library. That’s neat

[@thatmamakeyz65]

But how possible is it?

[@dieSterbendeGiraffe]

I'm not aiming for a 5k wedding (which would we very hard in Switzerland anyways), but I'm aiming to not overspend, keeping it under 10k would be great, we could afford about 15k though. The tips here are great, thank you! We found a cheap option for the venue, a club house of a local sports team, they even have a big 100 people tent you can rent for 400.- extra! Whole weekend rent plus tent comes to under 1000.-, so we have all of friday to set up, and Sunday to clean. My parents gifted us all florist services, so I don't have to count that into our budget, and we found a great vegan caterer for 70 per person (when usually it's 180+ per person here!), And we love his food. Also, for decor we ordered a shit ton of paper decor from aliexpress for 150.-! Should be more than enough for the tent!

[@cynthiasarmiento1169]

Me and my FH have been working on keeping our budget under $5k our wedding date is November 12th 2022 we are going with sola wood flowers ceremony at my dad's house VFW banquet hall for our reception a friend is our dj and we will have a cash bar may not be everyone's jam but it is help us not go totally broke

[@kibethnehema2069]

Our alcohol budget got scrapped due to the county park we found the venue at won't allow it. We discussed sneaking it in, but there are two big signs stating No Alcohol. We opted to have an after party at a local restaurant instead - so just renting the party room and everyone can buy their own drinks.

[@AlicjaM6]

I'm so overwhelmed lol 😂😅

[@ashleykerr3163]

Loved the video! That's roughly our budget and we're getting married in about 6 months. We're having it at a county park that has a building with a kitchen that we rented for $250 for the day, we're getting the flowers through a local farmers market and it will be about $250 altogether for the bouquets, boutineers, a mother of the groom corsage, arbor flowers, and an extra 5 gallon bucket of flowers for signs. My dress I bought on sale from Torrid last year for $120. We found a local photographer that is trying to increase their client base and so far has had all 5 star reviews, so we get two photographers for 4 hours for $800 including the deposit. Most of our decorations are hand-me-downs from my best friend's wedding. Instead of cake we're doing donut holes and it's $80 for 200 donut holes (from a local donut shop that has quite the following!). We're doing a self serve beverage station with cans in coolers and drink dispensers for our signature cocktails, which is not that glamorous but what the hay. Our biggest expense at this point is going to be the caterer. Best of luck to everyone!!

[@ashleyoverholt449]

Could you please, do a video, on vineyard weddings.

[@ArreyNicole_]

Thank you like people always try to say “ wedding under 5k” the be like inside a library like ?????? Let’s be realistic 😂😂(coming back after watching the video a library was actually on the list 😂😂 what are the odds)

[@bethanyb4478]

After observing my sister's wedding, I told my mom that I was going to hijack the church potluck. Wear a white dress, wait till everyone has gotten their food and sat down, then have the pastor pop up and make an announcement that there was a surprise wedding. Do the vows, and proceed to the dessert table to cut the cake that someone snuck in during the ceremony. Ten years later, now that I'm actually planning my own wedding, about the only element I'm keeping from that idea is to have all the guests seated at tables during the ceremony and going direct from ceremony to dinner. Every wedding I've ever been to has the guests milling around while photos are being taken. I'd rather do posed photos before the ceremony while outfits and makeup are at their freshest.

[@camessuzesagesse6394]

Genius!!!!!

[@thekitschsidekick]

I'm currently planning my wedding and I did a lot of research but found a fab venue that does food and some drinks plus all the setup for £3500. There are optional extras which we may or may not use but even those are reasonable. Best purchase yet though? My preloved dress for £70 from Vinted 🎉

[@CarolynRaeShines]

Done, Literally planning a wedding under 5K, getting some support so I know we can do it! But I've never planned a wedding! WE found an awesome venue, so now food, booze, and vendors...

[@ronnicottrill6044]

Professional florist here, love flower moxie, she’s gonna put us out of business lol 🤣

[@abbymailhot7217]

Planning a wedding under $7k here! Being from rural Canada, it's become very apparent to me that the Wedding industry has tricked us into thinking that the $30k should be the norm. Most weddings I've been to have ceremony ata church, public garden, riverbank or lake, and then the reception at the local Hall/community centre. And trust me, it is always the most BEAUTIFUL day for the couple, and maybe even more fun

[@clamh84]

This sounded like my wedding. We are divorced now but it was really good. We had a baked potato bar to cater the reception. Friend used their fancier cars to transport us, my dress came from a charity shop, the centrepieces were made by my aunt as a gift, my mums friend gifted us the cake and my cousins clubbed together and bought us a night in a hotel.

[@JDelights453]

I’m a caterer lol but I’m not working for my wedding lol. We are stuck between having a courthouse vs a microwedding. We dont like huge crowds but we do want to celebrate with family with not a lot of $$$$

[@valerielinares2068]

To save money, I'm creating and printing our own stationary rather than ordering it. To make it look nice, I will be printing it on coverstock paper at an office supply store.

[@thatmamakeyz65]

SAME HERE!!!!

[@Behappy-rf8gl]

When she said CAMP. I hit the subscribe button.

[@Mariemendoza13]

Let me throw some tips in, I’m planning my wedding. It’s under 5k, if your in the military or ur fiancé there r discounted venues on bases and there’s an organization called brides across America, where u can get a free dress. I live in San Diego and I found this venue that comes with chairs and tables. It’s called the bayside pavilion on weekdays it’s 900 dollars. Next im getting most of my Pastries from Costco and im buying a two tiered white cake from vons. For the cake im gonna add real flowers and extra stuff. Look for local make up artists and nails on insta or if u know the people. I also know a florist and she’s giving me everything half off so im saving a lot of money. Also my cousin just had her wedding so she’s giving me most of her wedding stuff. Look on Facebook market place, offer up and thrift stores. Just get as creative as u can.

[@rebeccagann7208]

Thank you for this channel I am planning my own wedding we are doing a pot luck dinner my venue is in a barn my daughter is DJ and I'm doing my own cake I'm a cake decorator though and I'm doing my own florals with the help of my maid of honor my biggest expense so far has been venue at $1000 my dress was $360 and my bridesmaid dresses are being bought by my bridesmaids

[@danitaaaas]

It’s so hard. We are having a 20 person wedding and venue alone costs $2k, food and drinks for another $2k. This is in West Europe where we live. I haven’t even booked other stuff yet and my outfit. I’m expecting $6k in total for 20 people.

[@kaitlynb8334]

I’m curious, what kind of food and drinks are you having that it costs $100 a head?

[@danitaaaas]

@@kaitlynb8334 we have welcome sparkling drinks, the wedding breakfast for lunch, a wedding banquet for dinner, a barrel of beer from Plsen, unlimited varieties of drinks which the guests can order, and 3 bottles of wine as souvenirs. Meanwhile, the venue is a small villa we booked exclusively. Between me and my fiance, my fiancé is the extravagant one 🥴 We can actually afford the wedding easily, but I can’t justify the prices we were quoted and he kept on insisting it was normal for Europe and we need all these drinks and food for 20 people (I’m from Asia and you easily organize a wedding of 100 guests with $6k)

[@rhonda8231]

In Canada Costco has super cheap flower packages. I was surprised they are so fresh, and beautiful. I was pricing them in my area, they are about 1/4 the price of every other place that I had checked into.

[@kaeleightucker7683]

Hey!! I live Canada. How do you inquire about these flower packages?

[@GilliMarieMoody]

Wow! You look aMazing with your hair off your face. Stunning!