35 Times Budget Weddings Went Totally Wrong

Just because the average cost of a wedding has sky-rocketed to $36,000 in 2025, it doesn’t mean you have to spend that on yours. But for the love of all things holy matrimony, whatever you do, don’t use toilet paper as drapes or give your guests food poisoning by storing your pasta salad in an inflatable pool. There are plenty of ways to keep costs down without going to Tacky Town.

The first step is to figure out how much you can spend and then decide, as a couple, what your priorities are.

"Whether you have $1,000, $10,000, $100,000, or $1,000,000, it is all a lot of money,” wedding expert Megan Grose told The Knot. “Sit down together and figure out what is most important to you as a couple, then prioritize your budget accordingly."

According to Zola’s 2025 Wedding Trends Report, ​​"couples are most willing to splurge on key elements including an incredible photographer to capture every memory, a stunning venue, and food and drinks that keep everyone celebrating all night long."

The Knot meanwhile reports that couples typically allocate 8% of their wedding budget toward alcohol, and points out that hosting a "dry wedding" can really help to keep costs down. That might not appeal to everyone, but again, it's about deciding on your priorities as a couple.

An obvious (but not always easy) way to keep costs down is to invite fewer people. The larger your guest list, the more expensive your wedding will be, notes The Knot.

"While a photographer will cost the same amount whether you have 50 guests or 500, there are other costs, like catering, that are dependent on how many folks attend. And by shrinking your guest list with a small wedding you can also lower some of those variable expenses," reads the wedding site.

Another option is to have a shorter reception as opposed to the traditional all-night affair. "While most wedding receptions include dinner and dancing, there's nothing set in stone saying you have to follow that pattern," reads the site. "Especially if you're looking for wedding food ideas on a budget, opting for an abbreviated cocktail reception instead of a full-length dinner reception will save you money."

Swapping out the cocktails for mocktails might help you shave even more off your expenses. Zola's survey of 6,000 couples found that 54% of them will have these on the menu, meaning a booze-free or "dry" wedding won't leave guests with limited options.

Being creative when it comes to your venue can help save thousands. Finance platform NerdWallet suggests looking into options like restaurants, breweries, or vacation houses. "All these options are potential affordable wedding venues," reads the site. "Picking a spot that doesn’t usually cater to weddings can help you save money — and give your nuptials a unique feel."

Other money-saving wedding hacks include picking an off-peak date or month and not having your event on a Saturday. Remember, the more popular the day, the more expensive the venue is likely to be.

The devil is in the details when it comes to your wedding budget. That bouquet or flower arrangement you saw on Pinterest might look perfect, but did you consider whether those particular petals are in season? Being clever about your centerpieces, bouquets, and floral decor will pay off in the end.

“Botanicals and fruit can be added to tabletop decor, along with candles, to add ambiance, and often at a lower cost than fresh blooms,” advises Stephanie Cain, a wedding industry journalist.

Another tip is to mix up real and artificial flowers on the day. "Use silk flowers for big arrangements such as a floral chandelier above a dance floor or a ceremony arch behind the couple — and save the real ones for the tabletop, bouquet, boutonniere, and other moments when a fake flower would be noticeable to a guest," suggests Cain.

Last year, Zola reported that the average cost of a wedding was around $33,000. However, 74% of couples who married in 2024 said they ended up going over their original expected budget. Almost a quarter of them exceeded it by a staggering $10,000. But almost all felt it was "absolutely worth it.”

You might also like: 47 Times People Didn’t Hold Back Shaming The Worst Brides, Grooms And Wedding Guests (New Pics)