Small Wedding Costs: How to Plan Your Dream Day on a Budget

Picture this: instead of feeding 200 people you barely know, you’re surrounded by 30 of your closest friends and family. The champagne still flows, the cake still tastes amazing, and you actually get to talk to everyone. Oh, and you just saved enough money to put a down payment on a house. Not bad, right?

Why Small Weddings Make Perfect Sense

Let’s be real for a second. The average wedding in the US costs around $30,000. Thirty. Thousand. Dollars. That’s a down payment on a house, a brand new car, or one seriously epic honeymoon. And here’s the kicker: most couples regret spending that much.

Small weddings—typically defined as 50 guests or fewer—cost significantly less while often feeling more personal and meaningful. You’re not just saving money; you’re buying back your sanity. No seating chart nightmares, no awkward small talk with your mom’s coworker’s nephew, and no wondering if half your guests are having a good time.

The truth is: your wedding day is about celebrating your love story, not impressing people you see once a year. A smaller guest list means more budget for the things that actually matter to you, whether that’s an amazing photographer, that designer dress you’ve been eyeing, or an extra week in Bora Bora.

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Setting Your Small Wedding Budget

Before you start pinning centerpieces and tasting cakes, you need a budget. And no, ‘as little as possible’ isn’t a budget—it’s a recipe for stress and credit card debt.

Start with the big picture. What’s your total number? For a small wedding of 30-50 guests, you can have something absolutely beautiful for $10,000-$15,000. That’s one-third of the average wedding cost, and trust me, nobody will know you spent less unless you tell them.

Now, here’s where most couples mess up: they divide the budget equally across all categories. Don’t do that. Instead, pick your top three priorities. Is it the photography? The food? The dress? Allocate 40-50% of your budget to those three things, and get creative with everything else.

Pro tip: Create a spreadsheet with three columns—’Must Have,’ ‘Nice to Have,’ and ‘Can Skip.’ Be ruthless. That ice sculpture? Probably can skip. Your dream photographer? Must have.

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Venue Costs: Think Outside the Ballroom

Here’s a secret the wedding industry doesn’t want you to know: traditional wedding venues are marked up like crazy. That ‘wedding package’ at the fancy hotel? You’re paying 30-40% more just because you used the W-word.

Small weddings open up a world of non-traditional venues that are both cheaper and more memorable. Think restaurants with private dining rooms, art galleries, botanical gardens, or even someone’s beautiful backyard. One couple I know rented an Airbnb with a stunning view for the weekend—ceremony on Saturday, brunch with family on Sunday, and they saved $8,000 on venue costs alone.

The math: Traditional venue for 150 guests: $6,000-$10,000. Private dining room at a nice restaurant for 30 guests: $1,500-$3,000. Same ambiance, better food, way less stress.

Other budget-friendly venue ideas include public parks (permits are usually $100-$500), community centers, libraries, museums, and even breweries or wineries. Just make sure they allow outside catering if you’re planning to bring your own food.

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Food and Drink: Quality Over Quantity

Feeding 50 people is infinitely more manageable than feeding 200. And here’s the beautiful part: you can actually afford to feed them well.

Instead of the standard $75-per-plate chicken or fish option at a hotel, you could do a family-style Italian feast from that amazing local restaurant everyone’s been raving about. Or what about food trucks? A trendy taco truck or wood-fired pizza setup costs way less than traditional catering and creates a fun, memorable experience.

For a small wedding, consider these budget-friendly options:

• Brunch wedding: Eggs Benedict and mimosas cost way less than steak and wine
• Food trucks: $15-25 per person instead of $75+
• Family-style: Creates intimacy and costs less than plated service
• Dessert reception: Skip dinner entirely and do cake, pie, and coffee

Bar strategy: A full open bar for 200 people is terrifyingly expensive. For 30-40 guests? Totally doable. Or do beer and wine only, or signature cocktails, or even a BYOB situation if the venue allows it.

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Dress, Suit, and Attire Savings

Contrary to what bridal magazines want you to believe, you don’t need to spend $3,000 on a dress you’ll wear once. And with a small wedding, there’s less pressure to go over-the-top with your look.

Consider these money-saving strategies for your wedding attire:

For the dress: Sample sales can save you 50-70%. Online retailers like Azazie or BHLDN offer gorgeous options under $500. Or consider a white evening gown instead of a traditional wedding dress—no one will know the difference, and you’ll save thousands.

For the suit: Renting is obvious, but have you considered buying a suit you’ll actually wear again? A $300 suit from a department store looks just as sharp as a $800 rental tuxedo.

For the wedding party: Small wedding = small wedding party. Maybe just one best friend each instead of five bridesmaids and groomsmen. That’s fewer gifts, fewer bouquets, fewer boutonnieres, and way less coordination stress.

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Photography and Memories

Here’s something most couples don’t realize: photographers often charge based on hours and guest count. A smaller, shorter wedding means you might only need 4-6 hours of coverage instead of 10-12.

But—and this is important—don’t skimp on photography. These photos are literally the only thing that lasts beyond the day itself. With the money you’re saving on the venue and food, you can actually afford that amazing photographer whose work makes you cry.

Budget photography tips:

• Hire a photographer for the ceremony + portraits only, skip the reception coverage
• Consider a talented photography student or emerging photographer
• Ask about weekday discounts (many photographers charge less for Friday or Sunday weddings)
• Set up a DIY photo booth with a Polaroid camera and cute props

Some couples are even opting for ‘unplugged ceremonies’ where guests put away their phones, then hiring a professional for just a few key hours. The result? Better photos, more present guests, and lower costs.

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The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About

Even with a small wedding, there are sneaky costs that can blow your budget if you’re not prepared. Let’s talk about the ones that catch couples off guard:

Postage: Those fancy invitations? They weigh more than standard mail. Budget $2-3 per invitation instead of $0.60. For 50 guests, that’s $100-150 just on stamps.

Alterations: That ‘affordable’ $500 dress might need $300 in alterations. Always factor this in.

Tips and gratuities: Caterers, photographers, hair stylists—budget 15-20% for tips.

Marriage license: Usually $50-100, varies by location.

Rehearsal dinner: With a small wedding party, this becomes manageable, but it’s still a cost.

Vendor meals: Your photographer, DJ, and planner need to eat too.

The good news? With a small wedding, most of these scale down significantly. You need fewer invitations, fewer tips (smaller team), and you’re feeding fewer vendors.

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Conclusion: Your Wedding, Your Way

At the end of the day, your wedding should reflect who you are as a couple—not who Pinterest thinks you should be. A small, intimate celebration often creates more meaningful memories than a giant production ever could.

Remember: The people who matter most will be there. You’ll actually get to eat your own wedding cake. You’ll have real conversations instead of a receiving line blur. And when it’s all over, you’ll start your marriage with savings instead of debt.

Small weddings aren’t about settling—they’re about choosing what actually matters. So pick your priorities, set your budget, and create a day that feels authentically you. Whether that’s 20 people in a backyard or 50 at your favorite restaurant, make it yours.

Now go plan that dream wedding—without the nightmare price tag.

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