How to have a cheap wedding, without losing out on top shelf feels.

For generations, we’ve been stuck in this mindset that weddings have to cost about the same as a mid-size SUV. It’s time we busted a few myths about why they end up being so bloody exy. Hint: It’s not “the wedding tax”.

Having a cheap wedding starts by working out what’s important to you. 

As soon as you announce your engagement, people will start coming at you with “have  you booked your….”, “where will you buy your…..”, You’ve gotta get….” And so on ad infinitum. Almost everything we associate with modern weddings is NOT compulsory and is based on very old traditions that may not resonate with you.

Your first job is to work out what actually means something to you, makes your heart sing and will add to the way you and your guests are going to feel on the day. What they will remember in a few years’ time vs what will look good on social media the morning after. You can easily achieve that with a cheap wedding.

Anything that doesn’t feel aligned, doesn’t having meaning or just makes things more complicated goes straight in the bin. Now. Bin it!

My resources page has a great download explaining the origins of our most popular wedding traditions to give you insight and empower you to ditch what’s irrelevant and you can find it here https://www.moretonbaycelebrancy.com.au/resources

Having a cheap wedding doesn’t mean it won’t still look and feel like a meaningful wedding.   

With or without a fancy arbour set up and bows on all the chairs, two people in love, holding hands in front of their most valued friends and family are going to look like they’re getting married. End of.

It’s what we say and how we feel that makes or breaks the day. Particularly if you spend time on Pinterest or in some Facebook wedding groups, you will be bombarded with all the noise of what anyone with a cricut machine is trying to sell you.

Like I said earlier, work out what’s important. I also have a download about what you absolutely DO NOT need to make your day beautiful and memorable on the resources page (same link as above) and it’s something I bang on about on my socials quite a lot.

Don’t get sucked in to thinking you need a heap of matching shit or people will be disappointed. The right people won’t be because it’s the people you surround yourself with that make or break the vibe of the day.

What is worth spending money on, even if you want a cheap wedding.

First, a great celebrant. Find someone who gets you, who you trust, who vibes at your frequency and really cares. They will be a priceless source of information and support. Don’t underestimate the value of booking their top-shelf package when it comes to bringing it on the day.

Next, a great photographer. They are worth their weight in gold for making you feel good about yourselves and for capturing memories you will treasure forever. They will take better pictures than your cousin who’s a bit into photography. But here’s the thing….

You don’t need an 8 hour package. You don’t need them there taking photos of every step while you’re getting ready – just a couple of shots of you putting on the final touches. You don’t need them at the reception until last drinks are called.

Back in the day, having a photographer at the reception wasn’t even a thing. All my pics of cake cutting and first dance are from the cameras of the guests, and I love them. Book the photographer for a bit before the ceremony, the ceremony itself and some portraits straight after. Sign up to one of those online free photo sites (like Table Memories), print out a QR code for guests to upload their reception photos.

Food and drink is important but it doesn’t have to be a 12 course degustation menu and an open bar. Something warm and well prepared that fits with who you are, even buckets of takeaway chicken or boxes of pizza will be fine if there’s plenty of it and it’s a DIY venue. If the venue does their own food, keep it as simple as you can – not too many choices but plenty of it.

And here’s a thought – instead of buying an expensive gift, ask your guest to BYO (if the venue permits) or pay for their own drinks. Make it clear on the invite that their wedding gift to you is paying for their drinks (or the meal?????). There’s a whole layer of financial and emotional stress gone. The people who matter will be only too happy to contribute in this way.

Why backyard weddings have the best vibe.      

The whole getting married thing feels stressful enough I reckon. Put yourself in a new and unfamiliar environment and it gets worse. Don’t get me started on the ridiculousness of modern couples thinking they have to spend the night before apart from each other! The couples who kick back and enjoy the moment the most are the ones who are the most relaxed to begin with.

Anyway, if someone in your inner circle (if not you) has a decent sized back yard, do it there.  It doesn’t have to mean a ton of extra work for the host.

Paying for a cleaner and a gardener to come in a day or two before and then cleaners the day after is not going to cost you the mega bucks you’d pay for a wedding venue. Even if you add to that paying a styling company to provide all the hire items and set up for you it still won’t put you up around the minimum $10k mark that most venues charge just to open the front doors for you before you start adding food and drink.

Get in caterers or don’t. Buy barbeque meat in bulk, borrow uncle Gary’s Webber to go with your own and put him in charge of cooking the kebabs. The aunties can make the salads, or find someone with a Costco membership, or ask everyone to bring a plate.

No one is going to give a flying you know what if you don’t have a fancy 3 tier wedding cake, or if the bridesmaids (if you even have them) aren’t wearing the same colour dresses or if the blokes aren’t in suits.

What they do give a flying you know what about is you.       

I’d love to have a chat about what floats your boat and empower you to make what may seem like tough decisions. Not a sales call, just say g’day and get some real life advice from someone who’s been there/done that.  

Book a chat here