With the economy in flux, spending a fortune on a wedding becomes even more impractical than ever. The Knot's editors demonstrate how a lovely ceremony with family and friends can come in at less than $10,000. By Anja Winikka
Sure, the average US wedding will run about $27,000, but that didn't stop us from devising a wedding plan for a $10K wedding budget. From homemade cookie wedding favors to reception vases from IKEA, here's how to get a stylish 100-guest wedding for under $10K.
Stationery: $400Ways to save: You could go the DIY route, but do a quick online stationery search and you'll find countless designers and other small online stationery companies that are completely affordable, well-designed, and well worth the time you'll save on not having to worry about printing your own.What we found: An offset-printed invite and reply card suite on Minted.com that costs $338 (for 75 sets, assuming there are some couples). The price even includes free return address printing on the back of each envelope. Figure in a little more for shipping and postage and you're still under $400.
Ceremony: $65Ways to save: If you have a place of worship, then you're all set. If not, plan a short and sweet ceremony in a nearby park. Have your guests stand in a semicircle while you exchange vows and let the surroundings act as your decor. (Just make sure that in the case of rain, you'd be able to use your reception space.) Go to the county clerk's office for your marriage license and have a friend officiate your ceremony.What we found: A park permit for Central Park in New York City costs just $25. Get your marriage license from the county clerk's office for around $40, and have a loved one ordained online for free at TheMonastery.org.
Ceremony Flowers: $150Ways to save: Find an a la carte florist to make a bridal bouquet, and then go online and order fans or parasols for your bridesmaids to carry in lieu of flowers. Skip the boutonnieres for the guys or coordinate their boutonnieres with the surroundings -- like small knotted nautical ropes pinned to their lapels for a seaside wedding or custom-made buttons that reflect their personalities (think photos of favorite albums, movies, and hobbies).What we found: Two colorful parasols on PearlRiver.com for $29, custom-designed buttons at PureButtons.com for $22, and a florist in Boulder, Colorado, who would make us a gorgeous in-season floral bridal bouquet for $70. Add tax and shipping for a total that comes in under $150.
Photography: $500Ways to save: Find a photographer who offers a la carte services so that you don't have to pay for extras like editing, re-touching, and photo albums.What we found: A Manhattan wedding photographer who's running a "recession special" wedding photography package which includes four hours of shooting for $500.
Attire: $400Ways to save: Check out nontraditional bridal lines like the ones at J.Crew and Target, shop sample sales, and browse off-the-rack dresses at department stores. Another option: Find a bridesmaid dress that you like and get it in white. The groom could wear his favorite suit and then buy a new shirt for the occasion.What we found: A dress at JCrew.com for $295, white Lela Rose shoes at Payless.com for $25, and a crisp white shirt for him that costs $45 at a department store. With tax and shipping, everything comes to around $400.
Hair & Makeup: $160Ways to save: Find a salon that does both hair and makeup. Instead of having your hair completely styled by a pro, just get it blow-dried for half the cost. You'll get the same fresh-from-the-salon style without the price tag. Then have your makeup done professionally.What we found: A salon in Santa Monica, California, that does blow-dries for $40 and makeup for $80. Figure in the tip and tax and you're at about $160. Not too shabby.
Videography: $300Ways to save: Don't skip the video entirely -- find a videographer to give you a deal on a daytime ceremony-only package. Or enlist a friend to set up a camera on a tripod in the back of the ceremony venue.What we found: A videographer in Atlanta who would shoot a daytime wedding ceremony and provide just the raw footage (without edits) for $300.
Reception: $6,500Ways to save: Skip the popular Saturday night and book a lunch, brunch, or light cocktail reception. Caterers and reception sites alike will be much more willing to work within your budget. Also be sure to look for all-inclusive pricing that figures in the cost of the bar, taxes, and service charges so that you don't get stuck with unforeseen fees.What we found: A trendy New York City restaurant that would cater a three-course wedding lunch with beer, wine, and soft drinks for $65 per person including taxes and service charges on a Saturday afternoon.
Reception Decor Materials: $325Ways to save: Buy your flowers in bulk online and ask a trusted friend to put your arrangements together for you. Cluster glass vases (bought at discount stores) or colorful jars and vases (that you've collected) on your tables instead.What we found: A mix of in-season flowers, including lilies, tulips, irises, and freesia, online at FiftyFlowers.com for $140. Small glass vases from IKEA are about $4 each. Place them in threes on each table for a total of $120 (assuming 10 tables of 10). Figure in a little more for taxes and shipping and you're under $325.
Reception Music: $500Ways to save: Find two-for-one package deals. For example, some DJs offer packages that include both the ceremony and reception. If you want live music, split the difference. Hire musicians to play for the ceremony and cocktail hour and then set up an iPod with dance music for the reception.What we found: A guitarist and singer duo on Craigslist.com who would play for $500 for four hours. (Just be sure to listen to their sound samples before you sign any checks.)
Wedding Cake: $225Ways to save: Scale down the size of your cake. Order a simple layer cake from a local bakery for your cake cutting. Then serve up assorted cupcakes, mini tarts, cookies, or even petits fours in your color of choice and have them passed or set up on a buffet-style dessert table after dinner.What we found: A New York City bakery with cupcakes at $18 per dozen and a 7" chocolate double layer cake for $25 for a total of $205 assuming you get 10 dozen. Have the cakes picked up on the day-of to skip delivery charges and you come in at less than $225 for cake!
Transportation: $4 Ways to save: Sweet-talk your friend with a nice car and ask them if you can borrow it for the day. Live in a big city? Hire a pedicab or jump on the subway for cute photo-ops and inexpensive transit.What we found: Subway passes for two in New York City for $2 each.
Favors: $20Ways to save: Go the homemade route here. Enlist your aunt or grandmother who's offered to help with the planning to bake her famous snickerdoodle cookies. Have the treats displayed on a small table next to the cake or near the exit and lay out small paper bags.What we found: 100 small clear favor bags on TheKnot.com wedding shop for $15.
Grand Total: $9,549!
Source: the knot
