August 25, 2025
Categories: Financial Planning
By Dawn Kellogg
You’ve dreamt of your wedding for your entire life and you’re finally planning the big day. Congratulations! Hopefully, you’ve started planning early with time to shop around and compare prices on all the things that you will need for the perfect ceremony and reception.
According to the wedding planning website, Zola, the cost for a wedding in 2025 totals around $36,000, up slightly from $33,000 in 2024, and $29,000 in 2023. Getting hitched can be expensive, but there are ways that you can still have the wedding day of your dreams without breaking the bank.
It’s important to have an honest talk with your partner to balance your wedding expenses with your overall financial goals. Your wedding is one big day in a lifetime of big days to come. The costs associated with a wedding should not get in the way of your other financial goals.
The first thing that you will need is a budget. Figure out what you want to spend and prioritize those expenses. It’s so easy to let this budget spiral out of control, so it’s important to stick to the budget that you have set and track your actual spending. Save your receipts and stay organized.
There are so many ways to save and still have a magical day.
- Choose an off-peak wedding date (avoid late spring to early fall) which might give you more negotiating power with vendors. Also, consider a day other than Saturday for your event.
- Think carefully about your guest list. A smaller number of guests can save you quite a bit of money when it comes to reception venue and catering.
- Use a wedding planner. Most people think of a wedding planner as an added expense, but it could save you money in the long run. Planning a wedding with your budget and expectations is their job. They have connections that you won’t have and generally can get better prices from vendors than you would be able to get.
- Consider a non-traditional venue that will serve for both the wedding and reception.
- Not all weddings have to be evening affairs. Consider a brunch wedding which will cut down on some of the pricier food items on a traditional reception menu.
- Flowers are a large expense, so use them sparingly. Choose in-season blooms to be most cost effective.
- You can be creative with your dessert choice and save money, rather than choosing a large, intricate wedding cake. A simple two- or three-tiered cake is contemporary and can fit your style. Many couples today even choose a small wedding cake for pictures and serve guests a less-expensive sheet cake. You can also consider alternative desserts like donuts, cupcakes, or pie.
- Ditch the open bar. You can certainly feel pressured to do a full open bar, but realistically, not all guests drink, not all guests drink everything, and you should not feel obliged to overpay for alcohol that will not be touched.
- Upcycle items to use as décor. Visit antique and consignment shops to find items that fit your theme and style. Borrow what you can. You may have a friend who has recently gotten married, and they have items that you can borrow.
- Recruit friends to help. Your close friends know you and your tastes and will help you achieve your vision.
- Use a credit card that earns reward points. You’re going to be spending a lot of money, so why not use a card that will pay you back in points or rewards.
- You can also take out a personal loan at a low rate to take care of your wedding expenses.
Remember, your wedding is just that: your wedding. It’s an extension of you and your style, so let that shine through. Focus on what matters most to you and your partner and forget about what other people expect.
Happy planning!