You may be on a tight budget or believe that spending a fortune on a wedding reception is a waste of money. Remember that your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, and you don’t have to forego a great
wedding reception because you’re on a shoestring budget.
You can arrange a party that everyone will enjoy and that you will remember fondly for years to come with meticulous planning and a little creativity. Here are some tried and tested tips to have outstanding wedding receptions on a budget.
Because the reception venue or location is generally the most expensive part of the event, your top pick is to look for a free or extremely low-cost option. There are numerous places that you can consider for hosting your wedding reception, such as:
a. Park
You might want to consider having your wedding reception in a local park. It will not set you back any money. To have your reception in a local park, you will only need a permit or written consent from the local authority.
b. The beach
If you’re one of the fortunate folks who live near the beach, you won’t need to travel anyplace else. During your winter wedding, the beach is an ideal location for an outdoor wedding reception.
c. Halls
Another great option for hosting a wedding reception on a budget is to use a local social hall, church, or temple hall. In most cases, you won’t have to pay anything extra in these locations. However, you can still gather information in and around your neighborhood to identify low-cost reception halls.
d. Libraries and Museums
Museums and libraries are other great low-cost wedding reception sites. More often than not, these sites are low-cost and budget-friendly. You might not have to pay a lot to hire or rent these locations.
e. Botanical Garden
Then there are neighboring botanical gardens where your wedding reception could take place. All you have to do is find out whether or not your local botanical garden organizes such events. If you say yes, you can get the price and other information. In most situations, they only charge a small fee for the venue. You will, however, need a permit or formal authorization from the relevant government.
f. Backyard
Even your backyard will work well if you’re hosting your reception with just your family members and friends. And if you have none, you can contact a friend who has a nice backyard to host a small party for a small gathering. The coolest thing about hosting your wedding reception in your backyard is that you can decorate it the way you want it to.
g. Hotels & Restaurants
Traditional wedding venues include hotels and restaurants, but you can often find better discounts if you hold your reception at a non-traditional time. If you’re willing to have your wedding during the week, you can get terrific deals from a catering hall that would otherwise be empty at that time.
2. WEDDING RECEPTION FOOD ALTERNATIVES.
Food is generally the most expensive aspect of a wedding budget, so you’ll have to get creative. Consider the following non-traditional cuisine options to save a lot of money on catering:
a. Potluck.
Consider throwing your wedding reception the traditional way, the Potluck way! All you have to do is to ask everyone to bring their favorite reception. This requires some planning so that you don’t end up with 50 platters of brownies and no main course. Due to the necessity for cooperation, it also works best with smaller receptions.
b. Brunch.
You can have a brunch reception if your wedding is in the morning. Bagels, sandwiches, omelets, french toast, fruit, and other brunch fares can be on the menu. With some classical music playing in the background, you’ll have created a very exquisite atmosphere. It won’t cost you much, and you’ll end up having a great wedding reception.
c. Food Truck
Food trucks are new norms in the market. These trucks don’t cost you a fortune; in fact, they look stylish and snappy. You can have a food truck standing at the wedding reception location. Make sure you tell your food requirements to the vendor in advance. A food truck wedding reception can appear to be much more cost-effective than a typical wedding reception. Rentals, staffing, and, in many cases, beverage and dessert service are all included in a regular catering price. Cuisine trucks usually only provide their food and their vehicle. It’s a great option to have a picnic-style wedding reception on a budget.
d. Restaurant
If you’re planning to host a wedding reception for a tiny gathering, then you can consider getting food from a restaurant. It’s just like we do at domestic parties. Yeah, all you have to do is find a good restaurant in your area and order your food. But make sure you contact the restaurant owner in advance and tell them your requirements. It’s because they will also need time to arrange things and prep all the dishes.
e. Cook at Home
It’s a tried and tested method of keeping a wedding reception under budget. If you’re fortunate enough to have a terrific cook in your family, whether it’s your mother, aunt, or someone else, then enlist their assistance. Especially when you have to mind your guests’ health during corona times, cooking food at home is the finest solution.
f. Dessert.
It’s a little tough to serve simply dessert, but it works nicely with a shorter reception. After all, it is everyone’s favorite part of the meal. But, don’t forget to make it explicit on the invitation that you’ll be offering dessert only. Otherwise, folks may arrive hungry and eager to depart to grab some “real meal.”
g. Barbecue
You can always go for a more laid-back approach and have a BBQ or other light fares. This is a particularly good alternative if you decide to host your wedding on the beach or in a garden. Even your backyard is great for a BBQ wedding reception. It’s a terrific way to save money on a wedding reception by having a modest gathering. This will give your guests the impression of being at a family picnic. They will adore the thought of a modest BBQ wedding reception on the beach, in a park, or in your own backyard.
3. WEDDING CAKE ALTERNATIVES
Instead of an expensive wedding cake, you can choose from a variety of various possibilities. All it needs is a little creativity! The best part about wedding cake alternatives is that they can often be made at home and save you a lot of money. Here are some of the top wedding cake alternatives to have a wedding reception on budget:
a. Ice Cream
Ice cream is always a good choice. The best part about this refreshing delicacy is that it comes in a variety of delicious flavors. At the wedding, your guests would want to have their favorite ice cream.
A summer wedding might benefit from an ice cream bar with a choice of flavors, toppings, and sauces, allowing guests to construct their own dessert combinations!
b. Cupcakes
Cute, tiny cupcakes are already in trend! Cupcakes have the advantage of being able to be adorned in any color or design you can think of.
Cupcakes are also incredibly easy to make. You may bake lovely cupcakes at home for a low cost if you have good baking skills or if you have a friend or aunt who does. Cupcakes can be customized to match your wedding theme or color scheme and served as favors in little boxes for guests to take home.
c. Pies
Pies are a trendy dessert and a perfect wedding cake replacement for a low-budget wedding reception. With a variety of home-baked pies, you can satisfy everyone’s taste buds. You may explore a range of pies, from a delectable apple pie topped with crisp, buttery crumble on top to layering pink grapefruit curd in a crunchy graham-cracker crust with caramel sauce.
d. Cheesecake
Cheesecakes are quite popular these days; they make for an excellent wedding cake alternative. They are available in a variety of flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, and fruit. Aside from that, they can be baked or served cold. They can also be served as mini-cheesecakes or in layers.
e. Croquembouche
Croquembouche is a French pastry dish that’s commonly offered during weddings, communions, and baptisms. It’s made up of stuffed profiteroles or choux balls stacked into a towering cone. The choux are traditionally filled with cream or chocolate and drizzled with caramel. Besides, chocolate, flower petals, or almonds can also be used to decorate a croquembouche.
f. Doughnuts
A doughnut, often known as a donut, is a popular leavened fried dough that is popular these days. Doughnuts are a popular sweet snack in many nations and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For your special day, you can prepare them yourself or buy them from bakeries and franchised specialized sellers. To fit your wedding theme, you can experiment with different fillings and icings in a variety of colors.
g. Petit Fours
Petit Fours are small desserts. Cakes, cookies, meringues, pastries, and macaroons are examples of petit fours, which are small bite-sized confectionery or savory appetizers. They’re delicate and exquisite, with fondant, frosting, and chocolate on top. You might serve a range of petit fours or just one type, such as macaroons.
h. Fudge
Another popular wedding cake alternative is fudge. This seasonal favorite is easy to make, available in a variety of flavors, and is foolproof! The incredible thing about fudge is that everyone loves it! It’s decadently rich and chocolaty, and it’s perfect for wedding favors or presenting as a wedding dessert! This nutty, delicate, snappy dessert will be a hit with your guests!
4. WEDDING DECORATION ALTERNATIVES
There are numerous options for creating gorgeous wedding decorations on a budget that are elegant and opulent. All you need is a little creativity. Here are some of the best wedding decoration options for a low-budget wedding reception:
a. Flowers
Look into what flowers are local and seasonal for your time of year for floral ideas. To achieve a vintage-chic effect, choose fewer, larger blossoms or bunches of vibrant, affordable flowers.
b. Lanterns
Instead of using harsh fluorescent lights during your wedding reception, consider using beautiful lanterns to illuminate the space. These lanterns are simply stunning and add a romantic feel to the room, believe it or not. Moreover, lanterns are an affordable wedding decoration alternative.
c. Alive Items
You can also use other ‘alive’ items instead of flowers. Branches, palm fronds, and plants with large greens may make a great impact. Succulents are also becoming a popular option.
d. Use Bowl of Fruit & Vegetables
Bowls of fruit and vegetables are another option to decorate your tables. It looks stylish and sophisticated and will simply jazz up your wedding reception tables.
e. Feathers
Feathers are the other best option to decorate your wedding reception area. Using huge feathers as part of your centerpieces is also a popular alternative.
f. Balloons
Balloons are a terrific way to bring back childhood memories by incorporating balloons into your wedding decor. You can have colorful balloons placed at the entrance. You can even have balloons matching your wedding theme.
g. Vases & Bottles
You can utilize colorful vases and bottles from the local garage sales or vintage shops. You can add both character and creativity to your centerpieces if you plan ahead of time. This is a great option to have a gorgeous setting at the wedding reception on budget.
5. WEDDING MUSIC ALTERNATIVES
To set the right tone, you will need the right music at the wedding reception. Here are some of the best ways to have wonderful music at your wedding without spending fortune:
a. Music System
Practically everyone these days enjoys music; if you’ve your own music system, you can set up the same for the wedding reception. If you don’t have one, have a friend bring one to the event. All you have to do is to make a playlist of music ahead of time.
b. Live Performance
Many aspiring musicians are on the lookout for possibilities to add to their credentials. If you know anyone who is searching for a chance to play at your wedding, please let us know. It will just add pizazz to your wedding and make it a memorable occasion. The best part is that these musicians don’t charge a lot for their services.
c. Contact a University Band
Many University bands seek opportunities to perform live. Contact any local universities where bands are looking for opportunities to perform. A live band performing at your wedding would be a huge hit with your guests.
d. Ask your Music Enthusiast Friend
If you have a musician or singer friend, don’t be afraid to ask them to perform at your wedding reception. Best of all, if you’ve already asked that person to the reception, he or she won’t even ask for money. With live music, you’ll be able to create the perfect atmosphere for your wedding guests.
There are a plethora of wedding favor alternatives to pick from. Giving your wedding guests something that will remind them of your magnificent wedding is a perfect wedding gift for years to come. Furthermore, handcrafted products like cookies, brownies, candles, and other such items make excellent wedding favors. You could also try presenting your visitors with a lovely live plant. Essentially, they are less fussy favor selections that practically everyone will enjoy. The objective is to provide something that will not be left on the table by your wedding guests.
Chocolate and cookies as favors are yet another great way to add to the Panache. You can even gift your wedding guests with some DIY hot chocolate kits or chocolate goodies at the end of your wedding reception. All of these are great wedding favor alternatives for a wedding reception on budget. The best thing is that these can be enjoyed by people of all age groups.
BONUS TIP #1. Do a Lot of Research
This is very, really, very important. If you really want to host a wedding reception on budget, then doing a lot of research is crucial. You will need to find the best and the most affordable options for your wedding reception. Of course, it can be a little exhaustive for you, but keep in mind that your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. So there is no point leaving everything to luck. If you do so, you’ll end up paying more than your pocket, which is not wise at all.
BONUS TIP #2. Ask For Recommendations
When it comes to hosting a grand wedding on budget, the rule of thumb is not to hesitate to ask for recommendations. You can ask your cousin, who recently got married, about the affordable wedding vendors or caterers, etc. Or if you know someone in your office recently got married in a modest way, ask the person for the details. Doing so will help you save a lot of money that you can spend on other important things, like your honeymoon.
BONUS TIP #3. Make a memorable exit.
You can come up with ideas for an unforgettable exit to add panache to your wedding reception. Make plans for a joyful and festive send-off, such as a fireworks display, a sparkler exit, or even a confetti send-off! It will be a hit with your wedding guests. It will also result in some stunning wedding images that you will treasure for the rest of your life.
BONUS TIP #4. Stick to Your Wedding Budget Religiously.
If you’re on a limited budget, it’s critical to plan your wedding budget ahead of time and stick to it. Making a wedding budget ahead of time will help you spend less. You could be tempted to buy things that aren’t necessary for your wedding, but a budget will remind you to spend on the things that are. Having a wedding budget handy is a terrific strategy to have a wedding reception on budget.
Putting it all together…
So these are the ways to plan a wedding reception on budget. Apart from these, there are numerous additional ways to create a low-budget wedding reception that includes all of the components you like.
Furthermore, whether you’re planning a luxurious wedding or a low-budget wedding, the goal is to enjoy every moment of it. Because your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, it is critical that you enjoy your wedding reception to the fullest. Do not be concerned… From the moment you walk in the door until the moment you leave, enjoy every moment of your wedding reception. Never forget that this is the moment you’ve been waiting for from a long time. So, make the most of it and enjoy every bit of it to make wonderful memories of your BIG DAY!
