15 guides
Wedding budget guides
Plain-English guides to planning a wedding at a cost you can live with. Costs vary a lot by region; we don't recommend vendors or earn referral fees.
Plan the budget
Total budget, who pays, guest list and priorities.
- Set your wedding budget first
Decide the total before you look at a single venue.
- Who pays for what?
Traditions vary. Clear conversations matter more.
- Guest list math
The single biggest driver of wedding cost.
- Pick your top three
Spend on what you'll remember. Simplify the rest.
Venue and food
Dates, venues, catering, the bar and small weddings.
- Off-peak dates and affordable venues
Fridays, Sundays and quieter months often cost less.
- Catering and bar costs
Service style and the bar make a big difference.
- Small weddings and elopements
Fewer guests, more of what you love.
The details
Attire, photos, flowers and rings.
- Wedding attire for less
Sample sales, secondhand, rentals and non-bridal options.
- Getting value from wedding photography
Fewer hours, clear deliverables and the right photographer.
- Flowers and decor on a budget
Seasonal flowers, greenery and reuse.
- Rings without overspending
Ignore the "months of salary" rule.
The money side
Avoiding debt, contracts, deposits and registries.
- Avoid starting married life in wedding debt
Pay as you go, from savings, not credit.
- Read every vendor contract
Get it in writing: what, when, how much, and what if.
- Deposits, cancellations and event insurance
Deposits are often non-refundable. Plan for the unexpected.
- Registries and cash funds
Ask for what you really need.