There is a ridiculous notion that when you have a wedding, it should be grand and large scale and expensive. It doesn’t have to be any of these things. In fact, your wedding should be exactly how you want it, absent any influence from judgemental friends and family members.
Just because Sheila spent $50,000 on her wedding day, it doesn’t mean that you have to do the same, or that yours will be any less important if you don’t. A cheap wedding can be classy, and a small wedding can be incredibly fun!
In this article, we’re going to take you through some small wedding reception ideas that are cheap and classy!
Set a budget and stick to it
Small wedding ideas are plentiful if you know where to look, which means that keeping your budget to a minimum is possible. You just have to be realistic in the beginning with how much you want to fork out for your wedding and then plan from there.
Set some time aside to sit and talk with your betrothed and come up with a number that isn’t going to cripple you financially, whilst allowing enough budget to cater properly and have everything that you want on your special day.
Keep a smaller guest list
Don’t treat your guest list like you do your Facebook friends list. You don’t need to invite that funny feller you met in a bar 5 years ago in Thailand. You also don’t have to invite friends of friends or distant family that you never see.
This is your special day and you should keep it reserved for the special people in your life, particularly if you want to save yourself some money.
It is always difficult, especially when you want to invite friends from work, or certain other friends that you’ve spent a lot of time with over the years but wouldn’t consider best friends. You just need to communicate with everyone and let them know that it is going to be a small and intimate event. People will understand.
Check out thrift stores for a suit and dress
Many people will turn their nose up at this, but you’d be surprised by the amazing value that you can find in thrift stores! If you are willing to swallow your pride as it were, you can save a lot of money and find some truly beautiful items. In fact, there are certain thrift stores that specialise in used wedding dresses and suits for resale so have a shop around!
Pick a venue close to home
When we say close to home, you can even have a small backyard wedding if you want to save as much money as you can. Perhaps your parents have a gorgeous big home with a beautiful garden that could serve this purpose wonderfully (remember, the lowest cost venues are free).
Alternatively, there should be plenty of affordable venue options in your area. Again, cheap doesn’t always mean poor quality. The size often reflects the price as well, which means for fewer guests in a smaller space, you should still be able to secure a quality space.
A reliable and experienced event company will be able to help you find the best possible venues in the region if you are stuck and looking for something very specific.
Stock up on cheap wedding décor (which don’t look cheap)
There are many ways you can stock up on cheap wedding décor and affordable centerpieces without spending a fortune. Here are some tips on cheap decorations for a wedding:
- Get used décor from recently wedded couples
- Visit a thrift store for cheap wedding centerpieces
- Buy items in bulk (great savings to be had)
- An old rustic bike with a floral arrangement in the basket adds a beautiful vintage vibe
- Mismatched chinaware can give your wedding a classy ‘mad-hatter’ vibe
- Mix flowers with garlands and ivy
- Brown craft paper table covering (cheap, OK to create a mess, great for children to scribble on with crayons)
- Put up a lovely photo display of the two of you
- Decorate paper lanterns
- Fairy lights galore make cheap wedding table decorations
There is much that you can do on a budget to create a beautiful wedding décor without spending too much or risking your wedding looking tacky. It just takes time, a little patience, and a keen eye for a good deal in a thrift shop!
Small backyard wedding ceremony ideas
Small backyard weddings are perfect for those who really want to save as much as they can on their wedding. This is a beautiful event that can come with many benefits. In your garden, people will feel much more at home. You can also create a more casual vibe so that friends and family can let their hair down and enjoy themselves more.
It’s also a great idea to throw a BBQ if you opt for a backyard style wedding. A nice big BBQ to accommodate your guests, perhaps coupled with a delicious buffet-style dinner.
Or alternatively, you can set up a big long table to have a sit-down meal with your family. Several courses perhaps. It all depends on your own personal taste and what you believe most people will enjoy the most.
Conclusion
It can feel a little overwhelming trying to plan a wedding whilst spending as little as possible. It might sound counter-intuitive, but hiring a wedding planner might be a viable option. When you consult with a wedding planner, you get years and years of experience in cutting deals and saving money when planning an event like this. The money you spend on an expert might afford you some amazing money-saving tips for a special home or backyard wedding.