6 Budget Wedding Tips

By Emma Quinn, Manager of Marketing and Programming - Building Momentum

Budgeting for a wedding sounds like an easy task. Pick a number you’d like to spend and plan your dream day! Once the process begins numerous untold expenses pop up, along with many, “It costs how much?!”, reactions to the reality of event planning. It certainly is no easy feat to create the event of your dreams, satisfy all of your guests, and stick to a budget. Here are some of our budget wedding tips to help you in your wedding journey!

1. Pick a budget and stick to it! 

One of the most important, and the hardest, things you can do to save money for your wedding is to pick a budget and stick to it. Wading through everything from wedding venues, photographers, and florists to custom cake toppers, photobooths, elaborate sweets stations, and endless upgrades there will be an overwhelming list of vendors hoping to sell you on their product. Your goal is to sift through the options and select what is truly important to having a memorable day—and what can be left out.  

2. Have a Friday or Sunday wedding 

Typically, venues have lower rates on weekdays and Sundays, knowing that Saturday is usually the day of choice for big events. Take advantage of lower prices and have your wedding on a Friday; following up with a weekend free for more celebrations. Or opt for a Sunday brunch wedding and enjoy the benefits of lower cost catering options, shorter event times, and a more casual, intimate gathering.  

3. Find a venue that lets you BYOB 

Many venues have strict rules on the drinks allowed and have a narrow set of drinks available. One easy way to save some money and have your favorite beverages on hand is to find a venue that lets you bring your own. This can save you lots of cash and gives you the option to splurge on the “good stuff” for you and your guests. Luckily, a bottle of Dom Perignon from a large discount store will taste the same as one picked from a catering menu.  

4. Borrow when possible 

Something borrowed becomes even more important tradition for a budget wedding. Especially after the wave of weddings in 2021 and 2022, there will be plenty of used wedding gear available on the market. If you have chosen a popular wedding theme, there's a good chance you will be able to find newlyweds reselling décor of the same theme at a discount. Sites like Weedzee, make it easy to buy or sell your new, used, and custom wedding items. Friends and family are another good source for decorations, accessories, and even jewelry for your big day.  

5. Be Your Own DJ 

A big cost to a wedding can be hiring a DJ or a band. While both are great options, no one knows what music is most meaningful to you more than you do yourself. Not a task to be left to the last minute, your wedding playlist should be filled with songs that are special to you and your partner. The music will also set the mood, so make sure you add lots of upbeat tracks if you want to dance and more relaxed tunes if you are looking for a casual vibe. Many venues have overhead speakers where you can plug in a device, making it an even easier option. 

6. Book your wedding at The Garden 

We would be crazy if we didn’t mention that The Garden is one of the most affordable event venues in the D.C. metro area. We make it easy to stick to your budget with hourly pricing, discounted weekday and Sunday rates, overhead speakers, and no restrictions on which vendors or caterers you use. We allow guests to bring in their own beverages with ABC approval and offer a built-in bar area that is perfect for serving.  

We also offer competitively priced add-on rentals such as tents, fire pits, smores station, and arcade games. These add-ons can spice up your event without ballooning your budget. Not to mention, our venue comes fully furnished with 55 cloth chairs, 80 tan folding chairs, 10 farmhouse style 8’ tables, and a beautiful industrial chic interior that requires minimal decoration.  

Learn more about The Garden by visiting our FAQ page!