It’s possible to learn how to plan a wedding on a budget of $1000 as long as you categorize the wedding elements. We will discuss tips for choosing everything from the venue to the photography, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out on the wedding of your dreams.
We also think you can benefit from reading how to plan a wedding without a wedding planner. Not hiring a planner can also mean extra savings on the total wedding budget costs.
Complete Guide On How To Plan A Wedding For Only $1000
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Venue
One of the biggest consumers of the wedding budget is the venue for the ceremony. That being said, you can only pull off a $1000-wedding if you’ll have a small wedding or consider something quick like a civil wedding.
The cost of getting married at the courthouse starts at $25, but keep in mind that you will also need to pay for the marriage license and other potential fees for the ceremony. On the other hand, if you choose a church wedding, you might only need to give a donation.
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Reception
Another potential costly element of the wedding is the reception. And if you only have a budget of $1000, you need to find a cheap reception location, make the celebration shorter, limit the number of guests, or do the party in your backyard instead.
Remember that besides renting a reception, you also need to pay for the party’s music, lights, catering, and drinks. Therefore, you’ll save more on expenses if the reception is already yours.
You can also read what to do instead of a wedding reception for other options.
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Officiant
Read how much do you pay a priest for a wedding if you’ll be having a Catholic wedding ceremony. Another option is to have a friend ordained to officiate your wedding legally.
Opt for an officiant that can legally bind you so you won’t need multiple ceremonies to ensure a valid marriage and avoid extra costs. You can have a celebrant at any wedding venue, but remember that you’ll need another ceremony such as a civil or religious wedding to make the marriage official.
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Invites
Since you’re limited with your budget, it will be cheaper to send your invites online rather than mailing cards for free. Most likely, you’re having a small wedding, so it’s acceptable to send the invitations via email.
Just make sure to check with your guests if they received it so that you can finalize the headcount for the catering and seats. You can also ask friends and family to reach out to them.
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Attire
Wedding dresses and groom suits can be costly, but you still want to look your best on your wedding day. You can always opt for affordable outfits then spend more on getting them customized by a tailor to get the best fit.
You and your partner can also be on the lookout for sales or rent the gown and tux instead, and you might score pieces for under $100. It should also be acceptable to borrow from friends and family.
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Makeup and hair
You might be already skilled in doing your makeup, so why not do your bridal makeup yourself? You can also ask a friend or family member for your hair to finish your look.
But if you have some extra to spend, here is how to find a makeup artist for a wedding.
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Food and drinks
You can be strategic with your food and drinks to stay within your $1000 wedding budget. For example, instead of a dinner, why not have a brunch or tea party theme for the reception to save on food costs?
This will also skip the need for alcoholic beverages, where having an open bar can be expensive. If it’s a small wedding, you can also opt for a potluck style, although it might be awkward since you invited your guests.
Then as for the wedding cake, there’s no need for something layered or grand. Instead, a delicious but straightforward round cake will make a fantastic wedding cake.
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Flowers
A tip to save on wedding costs for the flowers, including those for the bridal bouquet, corsages, boutonnieres, and decors, is to mix them with fake flowers. You can also make smaller arrangements with fewer flowers.
Do you have a garden? You can even learn how to make your own wedding bouquet and arrangements.
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Photography and videography
You don’t want to compromise too much on your wedding photography and videography because you’ll look back on the photos and film to remember your special day. Instead, opt for new photographers or videographers as they typically offer cheaper packages for their first customers.
You can also ask a photography student or a willing friend or relative, although the latter can be tricky. Remember that your guests are also there to celebrate with you, so only consider them if they volunteer.
Conclusion
And that’s it! We learned how to plan a wedding on a budget of $1000, by compromising on some of the wedding elements.
The main takeaway is to limit the number of guests and consider a more low-key ceremony and reception. What’s important is to be legally married and have your closest friends and family be there with you.
Please check these questions to ask when planning a wedding to effectively organize your event.