How To Pay For a Wedding (Without It Looking Cheap)

You’ve been thinking about this day for years. You want the wedding of your dreams…but your budget says, “Keep dreaming!”

Is there a way to have the best of both worlds?

Of course there is! Here at Kendall Point, we’ve seen it happen time and time again (and we have the pictures to prove it)!

Going over budget is easy, but staying within your budget is possible too. Here are our best tips on how to pay for a wedding (without it looking cheap).

1. Set a Realistic Budget

Being engaged might make you feel as though you’re walking on air, but it’s time to take your head out of the clouds.

Sit down with your spouse-to-be and take a good look at your financial situation. Your wedding budget should make sense for your savings, income, and goals. Here in Texas, the average couple spends between $200-250 per guest on their wedding, but you certainly don’t have to stick to that number.

Once you’ve set your budget, expect to have some flexibility with your numbers, especially if your guest count hasn’t been set.

The truth is, not everyone will be able to afford a Kardashian-level extravaganza (as much as you might want it!), but no matter your budget, it’s possible to have a wedding you’ll love.

2. Take Your Time

Short engagements are great, but you might have to sacrifice a good chunk of your budget to find venues and vendors that can accommodate a quick turnaround time. Long engagements give you time to seek out the best deals, and either save or make money to pay for everything.

We understand you’ll be busy, but there are easy ways to make a few bucks. Sell unused items online or set up a passive side hustle to help fund your big day.

3. Consider Weekday Weddings

There are so many amazing reasons to get married on a Friday, Sunday, Tuesday…pretty much any day that’s not a Saturday!

Non-Saturday weddings typically cost less—sometimes up to $2,000 less. Plus, a Friday wedding leaves plenty of time to enjoy a fun-filled wedding weekend!

Don’t forget, wedding dates can book up fast (especially during engagement season). While visiting wedding venues, we encourage you to keep an open mind (and calendar) to avoid paying a premium for a coveted Saturday date.

At the end of the day, you should fall in love with your venue, not a date!

4. Shorten Your Guest List

Fewer people = less money.

The shorter your guest list, the less you’ll have to pay on things like catering, bar service, favors, and more.

5. Unconventional Catering

If you’re already asking how to pay for a wedding, filet mignon and lobster thermidor might be off the table. But that doesn’t mean you can’t serve a delicious meal.

Buffets are significantly cheaper than sit-down dinners (and can be just as delicious). Or skip “dinner” altogether and host a wedding brunch. Everyone loves French toast and mimosas!

We’ve even heard of couples serving just hors d’oeuvres or dessert in lieu of a full meal. The options are endless!

6. Go Green

With your florals, that is!

Greenery is vastly cheaper than flowers, but is just as beautiful and trendy.

Instead of pricier blooms like peonies, gardenias, and orchids, think eucalyptus, ferns, succulents, baby’s breath, and lots of candles!

Plus, minimal wedding flowers are super chic right now!

7. Know When to Splurge and Save

Identify those details that are the most important to you. For example, you might want to splurge on a dress and a photographer because you know those pictures of you are going to last forever.

But there are plenty of other things that no one (not even you!) will notice on your wedding day.

Save yourself some time, stress, and money by cutting out things that may not be necessary (like favors) or finding a low-cost version.

8. Do It Yourself

There are lots of things you can do yourself!

Wedding signage, invitations, digital invitations (no stamps!), fake cakes or dessert bars, and reusing ceremony floral for reception centerpieces.

At our Texas wedding venue, you’re allowed to provide your own alcohol, but we do require that you use our preferred bartending service (Bartenders 4 You) at your event. Besides, no one wants to serve up their own drinks at a wedding!

9. Choose Your Venue Wisely

Okay, the VFW Hall is super affordable, but by the time you’ve made it look nice enough to host a wedding, have you really saved that much money?

Instead, pick a venue that’s already wedding-ready. With the right architectural details, outdoor views, and amenities, you may not have to decorate it all.

10. Share the Costs

Traditionally, it was the bride’s parents that paid for the wedding. But modern trends see many couples paying their own way or both the bride’s side and groom’s side splitting the bill.

That said, if your parents or other relatives are offering to chip in, let them! Many people are more than happy to contribute to making your wedding exactly the way you want it.

Of course, use your own judgment. If you think your Aunt Myrtle is going to demand to have a say in your choice of flowers, color palette, or venue, it might be best to politely decline her offer.

11. Leverage Your Credit Card

Lots of couples swear by this tip!

If you have a credit card with great cash back or travel rewards, use it for all of your wedding expenses. You’ll rack up points which you can use to pay vendors, buy leftover items from your registry, or go on a honeymoon!

Just make sure you do this responsibly and pay off the full balance as soon as it’s due. It’s not worth having a luxurious wedding if you start your marriage in debt!

Conclusion

Wondering how to pay for a wedding can contribute to your wedding planning stress, but at the end of the day, it won’t matter how much money you spent on your big day. What matters is that the two of you will spend the rest of your lives together!

At Kendall Point, we want your marriage to start off on the right foot.

Our beautiful wedding venue in the Texas Hill Country features sweeping views and plenty of amenities to make your day as special as you are. Call today to schedule a tour.