Your partner of a few years now has finally popped the question and now it’s time to start planning your wedding. You start looking around at venues and the cheapest one in your area still costs thousands of dollars. That’s a bit out of your price range.
It may be time to go with a less conventional option. You can get married in your backyard if you have to. If your backyard can’t hold the number of guests that you have in mind, there are other affordable wedding venues out there.
Check out this guide for a complete list of venues that will work perfectly for your special day.
1. The Courthouse
The courthouse is a popular go-to for couples on a budget. You can go have a small ceremony for under 100 dollars. It’s even free in some states.
Keep in mind that if you go this route you will only be able to invite about ten guests or less. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have a bigger ceremony with all the guests that you want later on when you can afford it though.
Some couples go to the courthouse to do the paperwork to officially be married and then hold the big ceremony for their one-year anniversary.
2. Home
If you want to be able to have more than ten people attend your ceremony the next cheapest option is your backyard. The only thing you have to keep in mind with this is that you’ll have to provide your own decorations, chairs, and dining necessities if you’re doing the reception in the same place.
You may be able to visit discount stores or borrow from friends and to get everything you need to make your venue gorgeous while staying in budget. Whatever you do, make sure that you make a list of all the things that you need so you don’t forget anything.
3. Rent a Home or Hotel
If your home can’t accommodate the number of guests you have or you just want a change of scenery, you can go with a hotel or house rental. You can rent a nice cabin in the woods for a little over 300 dollars a night.
Hotel suite rentals are nice and private. There is a convenient place for everyone to get changed before the ceremony and a place for everyone to crash after.
One thing that you should note is that prices tend to fluctuate depending on the time of year and day. It’s best to decide on your rental house and then pick a wedding date around that if you want the best deal.
4. Parks and Beaches
You’ll need to get a permit to avoid legal problems but parks and beaches make for great wedding scenery on a budget. You can usually rent them out for a few hundred bucks. Some of them are even free.
This price may change depending on the area you choose, how many guests you have, if you have any food or alcohol, and the length of your event. There is also the matter of insurance fees.
5. In the Street
For only a few hundred dollars you can have an entire city block closed off. You’ll be able to have your ceremony there, bring in food trucks or have a BBQ. Like with renting out a park or beach, you will need a permit to do this.
You may even need more than one permit if you plan to have your reception in the street and serve food and alcohol.
6. A Library or Museum
If you and your fiancé take pleasure in books or historical artefacts then renting out a library or museum could be a neat venue. It’s one that not a lot of people think of so you’ll be unique at least.
Due to the fact that these locations don’t serve as wedding venues often, you can rent them out for around 400 bucks. Give or take depending on the library or museum.
7. An Aquarium or Zoo
If you’re looking for an exotic location with a ton of wildlife then aquariums and zoos will be your best bet if you’re on a budget. This option may be more than a few hundred dollars but it will still be less than the thousands that some spend out on venues.
Besides, the money you spend to rent out the venue often gets put toward education and conservation projects. So, it’s a good cause.
8. Cafes, Restaurants, and Bars
Of course, if you rent out a 5-star restaurant it’s going to be expensive. If you go with something a little less extravagant though, you’ll come out ahead.
You can have both your ceremony and reception in the same place so that saves on travel. Food, tables, and silverware are all available so you won’t have to call up a caterer.
9. Boats
You can rent out a boat to have your wedding and reception on a river or at sea. If you really want to save money though, combine your wedding, reception, and honeymoon.
Several cruise lines offer affordable wedding packages. Everything is done for you. All you have to do is buy your wedding attire, pay off the cruise, and show up.
10. Theatres
We’re not talking about going down your local movie theatre and getting married. We’re talking about going to a historical performing arts theatre. You’ll be able to say “I do” surrounded by gorgeous architecture and some of the most romantic lighting you could ask for.
The best part is that having just your ceremony in a theatre will cost you less than 1,000 dollars. Having both your wedding and reception there will cost only a little over that.
Keep Your Wedding Inexpensive with These Affordable Wedding Venues
Weddings aren’t cheap. Some venues alone can cost you 6,000 dollars or more. You can save a little bit by choosing from more affordable wedding venues.
They’re out there and can be just as stunning as the ones that cost thousands. Consider one of these options and cut out financial stress on your big day.
Having a wedding planner can help you plan the most gorgeous wedding possible while staying in budget. Check out our directory for a few options.
