Weddings are expensive. I get it. There are a million little (and big) expenses that add up to cost you a whole lot of money, all for one day. While there are some things that I really recommend you don’t cut costs on (*cough* photography), you can still plan an epic Minnesota wedding on a budget. In this post, I’m giving you all the tips and tricks I’ve picked up in my years as a photographer!

Get your priorities straight.

Before we get into practical steps, we’ve got to address a few things when it comes to mindset. Your wedding is one special day full of memories that will last you a lifetime. Decide what is really important to you, the why and heart behind your day. What do you want out of your experience? Whose opinions actually matter to you?

Ask yourself, “what is going to last?” and “what do I care about?”

These two questions are foundational to really understanding the value each element brings to your wedding. Filter your decisions through your values. 

As a photographer, I believe capturing the memories of your day should be a top priority. Your photos are one of the few things you can have when the day is done. After the flowers fade and the cake is eaten, you’ll have the photographs for generations to come. They are keepsakes and family heirlooms. This is the one place where cutting corners or skimping on the budget is going to affect you for a lifetime. You want to work with a professional who makes you feel comfortable and whose style you’ll love not just now, but for years.

Just like you need to prioritize what really matters to you, you also need to let some shit go! Deciding what doesn’t matter is just as important as deciding what does. Unless you have an unlimited budget, you’re going to have to find at least a few things you’re willing to compromise on. Don’t waste your wedding planning getting stressed about the little things. Know what needs to be a big deal to you and what you don’t care about. Then, don’t let family members talk you into worrying about things you don’t actually care about.

You can be creative!

Learning how to plan a wedding on a budget is an amazing opportunity to let your creativity come out and to think outside of the box. Even if you want a rather traditional wedding, you can still brainstorm ways to cut costs efficiently without cutting corners. 

Put your own unique twist on things and think outside of the norms. Who says you have to have ______ to have an amazing wedding? Who says you can’t do _______? Later in this post, we’ll be sharing lots of ideas, but know it’s just a jumping board to get those creative juices flowing. You have good ideas. You can make a gorgeous wedding on any budget, it just takes some work. Know that confines can actually increase our creativity.

Set the budget early.

Make sure to discuss the budget early on in your planning process and make sure you’re on the same page as your partner. Getting married is an investment into your future together. Have the hard conversations about who is paying for what and if the family is going to be helping cover costs. Know that if family helps, this can mean added opinions. Set your boundaries early and often through this whole process.

You can use a budgeting template like this one or these spreadsheets. These are helpful tools to make sure you think of everything, even things you might not be included in your day. It lays everything out and helps you see all the pieces put together.

Remember that last-minute things will come up. You’ve probably never thought about how much stamps cost or where to get something to cut your cake! There’s a lot of little details you might be surprised by. 

Speaking of little details, let’s move on to the specific tips + tricks!

8 Tips to help you plan a wedding on a budget:

1. Get married during Off-Season.

The busy time for weddings in Minnesota is May-October. From November-April is considered the “off-season” and you may be able to cut costs simply by not competing with as many other brides for vendors. More people may also be available at a variety of price points. It’s not best practice to ask for discounts just because it’s off-season, but you might discover a few along the way.

2. Invite fewer people.

People are expensive. You’re often paying per plate or essentially, per person who comes to your wedding. The world opens up to you the fewer people you have. This doesn’t mean you have to have an elopement or even an intimate wedding, but you sure can!

Intimate weddings, those with less than 100 people, are a great compromise for many couples. It allows you to still have your closest friends and family there, but skip the second cousins and mom’s friends and casual work acquaintances – anyone who you don’t HAVE to have there. The biggest con is that you’ll likely not get as many gifts, but in the long run, smaller weddings can pay off. 

3. Let food be fun!

I’ve seen lots of creative ways people have minimized their costs on food. This is one of the biggest costs that adds up for a wedding, but there are many ways to stick to a budget.

You can have a brunch wedding or serve breakfast for dinner. Both options can be less expensive plus they’re a whole lot of fun. Some people do the opposite and have a later ceremony and only serve desserts at their reception. I’ve also seen where people keep their guest list for the ceremony and dinner small, then invite more friends to join in for dancing and dessert. Speaking of dessert, you could also have family members make the dessert instead of hiring it out. Who says you can’t just have cookies and bars instead of cake?

You can also find a caterer that doesn’t break the bank. Look into local colleges or maybe your favorite casual restaurant. Doing a buffet-style dinner is also usually cheaper than a plated feast. You also have less pressure to have an exact headcount this way. 

4. Be intentional with your florals.

Flowers are one of my favorite things at weddings, but the cost can definitely add up! You don’t have to nix the fresh flowers to cut back on some floral expenses. Start by asking your florist what flowers are in season at the time of your wedding and try to stick to those elements. This will save you from having to ship in florals from far off and reduce your costs.

Greenery can go a really long way when it comes to decor or even bouquets. Filling them up with less expensive greenery and then adding pops of flowers is an elegant way to stick to your budget on florals. Remember, boutonnieres are traditional, but they are optional. If you don’t want to bother with them to save on money, don’t worry about it! No one will even notice they’re missing. 

5. Try finding a nontraditional venue.

Venues are a huge cost on your wedding day and it makes sense – wedding venues put a lot of work into making everything run smoothly for couples. But if you want to get creative, here’s a huge way to save money. Maybe you want a backyard wedding at your place or a friends’ or family member’s home. This can be such a unique, personal touch. If you’re a camp person, try contacting a summer camp and see if they host weddings. Usually, they have all the amenities needed on less of a budget. They may also be more flexible with your catering choices as well. 

6. Know when to DIY and when to just get it done.

Many brides go into wedding planning thinking that DIY automatically means a discounted price. That’s not always the case. Sometimes those DIY budgets add up, so watch it like a hawk. You might find that hiring out is actually cheaper when you factor in time, supplies, and more! Be careful for this sneaky expense.

7. Go paperless!

When it comes to inviting people to your wedding, going digital for part or all of your invites is a great way to save some cash. The biggest way to cut costs is by having a digital RSVP on an online website like The Knot instead of sending RSVP cards with the postage attached. You can also do digital save-the-dates early on and send a paper invitation later. Bonus: it’s also better for the planet and more eco-friendly!

8. Use family heirloom jewelry.

It doubles as your something old too! Not only is it really special to find pieces of jewelry that belonged to your mother, grandmother, or other relatives, but it’s also cost-effective. It saves you from spending money on brand new wedding jewelry. Depending on your style, that can add up! If you do want to get a new piece, you can either choose to make it a long-term new family heirloom investment or find something you’ll wear again on a regular basis.

Congratulations, you’re now getting married in style and know how to plan a wedding on a budget!

Tell me in the comments, what tips did you find the most helpful? Is there anything else you’d add to this list?

Know that I’m here for you with any of your wedding planning needs. More than just your photographer, I’m available to help connect you with other vendors who will serve you and make your day truly special. Reach out if you ever have questions! I hope this post helped you plan your wedding on a budget!