How to Cut Corners on Your Wedding Budget (Without Cutting the Vibes)
- Tracey Houston
- Jun 29
- 4 min read
Okay Besties, Belles, Beaus, and Brides, let’s get one thing straight: weddings are expensive AF. But you don’t have to go broke to have a day that slays. You just need to know where to spend, where to save, and what actually matters to you — not your mom, not Pinterest, not that one girl on TikTok who got a private fireworks show. You! So, let’s break it down 💸✨
🎯 Wedding Budget: What Actually Matters to You? 🎯
Before you start cutting costs left and right, ask yourself (and your partner): What are the top 3 things we care about most on our wedding day?
Some questions to spark the vibe check:
Do you dream of bomb food and killer cocktails?
Are you picturing a magical aesthetic for the 'gram?
Is dancing with your grandma the #1 goal?
Do you care more about being there in the moment or capturing every second of it?
Your answers = your non-negotiables. Protect them at all costs. Everything else? Subject to slashing 🧨
Pick the 3 things you really care about. These get top budget priority:
☐ Food & Drink
☐ Photography
☐ Outfit (Dress/Suit & Tailoring)
☐ Music/DJ/Band
☐ Venue/Vibe
☐ Florals & Decor
☐ Videography/Content Creator
☐ Guest Experience
☐ Other: _______________________
👗 Don’t Cut Corners On: The Fits 👗
This may seem biased, I get it. One thing to remember is your wedding look is the most photographed outfit you will ever wear. So no, this is not the time to cheap out. That being said, a wedding gown doesn't have to cost $5000 either!
Buy the dress/suit that makes you feel unstoppable, not just “fine.”
Invest in alterations. Nothing ruins a look like bad tailoring. You wanna serve, not swim in fabric. Cheap tailoring = expensive regrets!
Budget tight? Go sample sale hunting and use the savings for a tailor who knows what’s UP. (HINT: Sample Sale is going on in July at Wedding Belles – BOOK NOW)
📸 Photography = Worth Every Penny 📸
You blink and the day’s over. But the photos? They last forever. Hire someone who gets your style. Do they shoot dreamy film? Clean candids? Editorial drama? Stalk their IG, peep their portfolio, and read the reviews. Don't do what I did (cut corners and hate your photographs).
Yes, it’s a big chunk of the budget, but future you will thank you every time you see your pics looking like a Vogue spread.
🎥 Content Creator vs Videographer: Do You Really Need Both? 🎥
Let’s talk trends: Hiring a wedding content creator to film TikToks and get iPhone vids in real time? Cute. Hiring a videographer for a cinematic, tear-jerking film of your whole day? Iconic.
But do you need both? Probably not.
If you're obsessed with social content, a creator can deliver quick hits in 24 hours.
If you want a movie to cry to on anniversaries, go with a videographer.
If you're ballin’ on a budget — pick one. Or have a talented friend shoot some clips. Just don’t overpay for both if it's not that deep to you.
🌸 Where to Save (Without the Stress) 🌸
Here’s your permission slip to cut corners without killing the vibe:
Florals: Skip the flower wall. Go seasonal, go local, or go candles instead of flowers. No one remembers the centerpieces.
Décor: Focus on the ceremony backdrop and sweetheart table. Everything else? Candles + vibes = done.
Invites: Digital is chic now. Minted and Zola have cute templates.
Favors: No one needs another personalized bottle opener. Save that $$ for a late-night snack or signature cocktail.
🧠 Hot Tips Before You Peace Out: 🧠
Think guest experience, not guest count. Fewer people = more money per head = better food, drinks, and fun.
DIY smart, not sad. Only take on projects that won’t stress you out 3 days before the wedding.
Pinterest is inspiration, not a shopping list. Don’t try to recreate everything. Curate your own aesthetic.
You Can Be Budget-Savvy Without Sacrificing the Magic
Weddings don’t have to be luxury-level to be luxurious. Focus on what matters to you, protect the must-haves, and don’t waste your energy (or money) on trends that don’t align.
Remember: at the end of the day, you're marrying your person. That’s the whole point. The rest? Icing on the (hopefully not $10,000) cake 🎂
💕 Final Vibes: You, But Make It Married 💕
At the end of the day, no one’s gonna remember if your napkins matched your centerpieces or if the florals were peonies or just... vibes. They’ll remember the love, the laughs, the ugly crying during your vows, and the way you two looked at each other like you invented love itself.
So plan smart. Spend where it counts. Save where it doesn’t. And throw a wedding that feels authentically, unapologetically YOU — whether that’s a backyard bash or a disco-ball-drenched rooftop rager.
Now go forth and budget like the financially-savvy icon you are. Your dream day? It's not about perfection — it's about you two. And that’s always in style 💍✨
What are your non-negotiables? Let me know below!
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