An Actual List of Everything I Bought for My Budget Wedding 

I founded this website after I discovered that weddings are a heck of a lot more expensive than I ever imagined. You can read all about my dream-shattering realization about wedding expenses (and probably relate to it a little bit) here. 

Long story short, I planned my wedding budget-first. Popular wedding media asks you to dream big and then reverse-engineer your way into paying for those dreams. ("How can I afford this amazing idea?") I turned this concept on its head and it saved soooo much stress! ("I have this much money, what can I do with it?")

The budget goal was $6,000 for our 70-guest June wedding. We actually spent $5,800. This is an actual list of everything, mistakes and all. 

Could we have had a cheaper wedding? Certainly. This is not a case study of the absolute most affordable wedding possible in Kansas City. (You can find sample budgets for smaller weddings here.) We made mistakes with over-purchasing and we certainly splurged on luxuries that you don't need for a lovely wedding day. So please don't feel like our budget signals "you must be this tall to ride"! 

Read on for a down-and-dirty 100% honest budget breakdown for our affordable wedding! 

The Gist Of It

Most wedding budgets tell you to break down ceremony expenses versus reception expenses. We had our event all in one building, so here's one big event breakdown. 

Pinching Pennies

By using coupons and sales, we saved $998 over sticker prices on our purchases. 

We saved $9,175 by using this site to locate great-quality affordable vendors rather than using average-priced traditional options. 

If you look at the sticker price of vendor quotes/Pinterest inspiration versus what we accomplished, we saved a whopping $10,394 by doing DIY projects! 

TOTAL SAVINGS: $20,567 

License & Rings - $241

These aren't exactly event costs, but we did count them towards our budget. 

• Wedding License: Missouri $60 
• Her Ring: Amazon - $̶1̶4̶0̶ $43
• His Ring: Amazon - $̶2̶5̶0̶ $138

TOTAL: $241
Saved: $209 //  Wasted: $0 

Vendors - $3,990

Vendors are your big-ticket, budget-blowing items... and you have to choose them super early in your process. That's why it's smart to go in with your budget in mind so you don't have to skimp on decor or other choices. 

For our vendors, we chose a combination of established businesses (such as Hyvee and L. Louise Hair & Makeup), new businesses (such as Katy Avila Photos), and hobbyists/friends (such as our officiant). Every vendor selection comes with some amount of risk, no matter how established the business is, which is why we relied on contracts and service agreements - as well as gut feelings about working styles - to produce the least stressful wedding day possible. 

Truthfully, we could have made budgetary choices to decrease the cost of the day further. We could have chosen an even cheaper venue, elected to DIY our styling, served BBQ instead of Italian, or any number of other choices.

• Venue: Weatherby Lake Community Center - $800 for two days 
• Venue Security: Weatherby Lake Police Department - $100 for 4 hours 
• Officiant: Family friend - $175 
• Catering: Hyvee Gladstone (pasta buffet package) - $560
• Bakery: Hyvee Gladstone (6" cake and cupcakes) - $235 
• Photography: Katy Avila Photography - $800 
• Women's Stylist: L. Louise Hair & Makeup Studio - $480 
• Men's Stylist: Garrett Brogdon Hair Design - $120 

​TOTAL: $3,990

Paper Products - $97 

Save The Dates

• Paperless Post emails - $0 

Total: $0 

Invitations

• Paper Pockets: DIY - $8
• Ceremony Insert: Vistaprint - $24
• Reception Inserts: OfficeMax - $53
• Envelopes: $6
• Calligraphy: Gold Pen $1
• Bone Folder: $2 

TOTAL: $94
Pinterest Inspiration Sticker Price: $735 (savings: $641)

Bride & Groom Attire - $394

Credit: Katy Avila Photos

Bride's Attire​
This is where I found the biggest savings over my inspiration. My Pinterest dream cost nearly as much as my entire wedding budget! 

• Wedding Dress: Amazon - $200
• Strapless Bra: eBay - $25 (eBay seller sent defective item, did not use)
• Strapless Bra: Lane Bryant - $̶7̶0̶ $35 (coupon code)
• Tulle Slip: Amazon - $12 (did not use)
• Hoop Slip: eBay - $25 
• Shoes: David's Bridal - $̶4̶0̶ $10 (did not use, terribly uncomfortable)
• Shoes: Target - $̶4̶0̶ $20
• Blingy Headband: Icing By Claire's - $17
• Veil: eBay - $̶7̶0̶ $4 
• "Bride" rhinestone underwear: Amazon - $9 
• Press-on nails: Target $8 
• Earrings: $3 - Forever 21 (did not use, wore already-owned earrings instead)
• Garment Bag: Amazon - $̶2̶5̶ $12

TOTAL: $370
Saved: $129 // Wasted: $50 
Pinterest Inspiration Sticker Price: $5,200 (savings: $4,858)

Groom's Attire

• Tuxedo: Tip Top Tux - $̶3̶5̶0̶ $0 (free with groomsmen package)
• Sterling Silver Cufflinks: Monogram Online - $̶6̶0̶  $24 (Groupon)

TOTAL: $24
Saved: $386 // Wasted: $0 

Linens - $240

I chose a civic venue, and they supplied tables and chairs but no coverings. I purchased all of my linens from LinenTablecloth.com. 

• Rectangle Tablecloths (12) - $̶2̶2̶1̶ $79 
• Square Tablecloths (2) - $̶2̶0̶ $10
• Satin Table Runners (38) - $̶9̶0̶ $35 (didn't like the first purchase but forgot to send it back...)
• Satin Table Overlays (2) - $̶1̶1̶ $3 
• Chair Covers (76) - $̶1̶9̶2̶ $70 
• Chair Sashes (70) - $̶6̶7̶ $28 
• Pool Noodles (11): Dollar Tree - $11 (used for packing linens wrinkle-free)

​TOTAL: $240
Saved: $375 //  Wasted: $22

Venue Decor - $546

Credit: Catie Pedersen

Altar
The venue had a beautiful fireplace that we chose to use as the backdrop to our ceremony and the head table.

• Wreath: Michael's - $̶6̶0̶ $40 (sale on the twig wreath, coupons for the garlands)
• Pillar Candles: IKEA - $100 
• Metallic "K" Monogram: Ross - $12 

TOTAL: $152​
Saved: $60 // Wasted: $0 
Pinterest Inspiration Sticker Price: $600 (savings: $448)

Centerpieces

• 8" Cylinder Vases (64): Dollar Tree - $64
• Misc Glassware (60): Dollar Tree: $60 (did not use)
• Votive Candles (80): IKEA $20 
• Table Numbers & Holders: Michael's $31 

TOTAL: $185
Saved: $0 // Wasted: $60 
Pinterest Inspiration Sticker Price: $710 (savings: $558)

Credit: Katy Avila Photos

Credit: Julia Dykes

Selfie Station
This was a popular part of our event, and not terribly difficult to execute - you definitely need an artistic friend to help with layout, though! 

• Tulle: Hobby Lobby $12 (with coupon)
• Paper Wheels & Flowers: Dollar Tree $16 
• Silver Jumbo Confetti: Target $3 
• Command Hooks: $6 
• Hot Glue: already owned 
• Index Cards for glue backing: already owned 
  

TOTAL: $37​
Saved: $0 // Wasted: $0 
Pinterest Inspiration Sticker Price: $120 (savings: $83)

Welcome Table

• Card Box: Ross $12 
• "Happy Tears" favors: IKEA basket $7, eBay hankies $13 
• "Guestbook" cards and box: IKEA basket $7, Hobby Lobby $2 
• Glow sticks for grand exit: $17 

TOTAL: $51
Saved: $0 // Wasted: $0 

Escort Cards

• ​Frame: already owned
• Spray paint for frame: Walmart $4 
• Escort card blanks: Michael's $16 
• Cardstock: Hobby Lobby $3 
• Place Cards: Target $10 (did not use)
• Glitter: Michael's $6 (did not use) 

TOTAL: $49
Saved: $0 // Wasted: $16 
Pinterest Inspiration Sticker Price: $280 (savings: $231)

Food & Dessert Bar Decor

• Cake Toppers (5 options, used one): Target $7 
• Glitter Votive Holders (37): Craigslist $10
• Chalkboard - Target $3
• Chalkboard pen - Target $1

TOTAL: $21
Saved: $0 // Wasted: $6 

Outdoors 

• Paper Heart Walkway: DIY $22 (all supplies on sale at Michael's)
• Monogram floral wreath: DIY $17 (supplies from Hobby Lobby and Dollar Tree)
• Direction Arrows: Target - $̶2̶0̶ $12 (Easter clearance)

TOTAL: $51​
Saved: $8 // Wasted: $0 
Pinterest Inspiration Sticker Price: $400 (savings: $349)

Flowers - $78

We had a big savings here -- my mom has experience with flowers and an artistic eye, and graciously volunteered to arrange the flowers. We were able to have a gorgeous floral design for literally one-tenth the cost quoted by local florists.

​I purchased five total bouquets from Costco, which became the bridal bouquet, four bridesmaid bouquets, and cake topper decor. A few flowers were left over for miscellaneous bud vases. All of our flowers were purchased from the case at Costco the day before the wedding. 

• Three mixed floral bouquets - $45
• One carnation bouquet - $10
• One rose bouquet - $20 
• Jute twine for stems - Michaels $̶1̶2̶ $3 (clearance) 

TOTAL: $78 
Saved: $9 // Wasted: $0
​Pinterest Inspiration Sticker Price: $800 (savings: $772)

DIY Food & Drinks - $207 

Besides the outlined vendor cost above ($755 to Hyvee for a pasta buffet and cupcakes), we had additional food costs for the drinks and mocktail hour appetizers.

(We had a dry wedding, so instead of booze, we offered gourmet sodas and an Italian soda bar. Both were big hits!) 

DIY Mocktail Hour Catering: 

• Pre-Wedding Snacks: Costco (cheese and rolls) $20 
• Cocktail Appetizers: Costco (cheese & meat platters, rolls) $60 
• Gourmet Sodas: Costco (75 bottles) $50 
• Italian Soda Water: Costco (24 bottles) $̶3̶5̶ $25 
• Italian Soda Flavors: World Market (7 bottles) $̶5̶6̶ $35 (annual Torani sale) 
• Cups: Costco $10
• Paper Straws: Target $7

TOTAL: $207  
Saved: $31 // Wasted: $0
​Quoted Vendor Price: $900 (savings: $693)

I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the DIY catering provided by my friends. Three of my dear friends banded together to contribute lots of goodies to the dessert buffet, which had a retail/catering value of hundreds of dollars. 

WEDDING GRAND TOTAL: $5,793

So we came in slightly under our budget of $6,000 for a 70-guest wedding! 

It took a lot of planning, a flexible vision and help from friends to pull this wedding off. 

​What was your wedding budget? Please comment below!

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