Small Wedding Ideas On A Budget: Affordable and Adorable

Ah, the sweet sound of wedding bells! If you’re newly engaged or just testing the waters of wedding planning, you have an exciting road (or aisle, rather) ahead of you. 

But wedding bells aren’t the only sound many of us hear when wedding planning. There’s also the non-stop sound of your credit card swiping, the terminal beeping, your online payment going through… You get the point.

As you start diving deeper into wedding planning, you probably stumbled across the same jaw-dropping stat I did: the average U.S. wedding now costs over $30,000. Talk about a rude awakening.

Now, if you’re like me, that number didn’t spark joy. It sparked a mild panic attack and a frantic Google search for small wedding ideas on a budget. Spending nearly a down payment on one night—no matter how special—isn’t exactly everyone’s dream nor is it a possibility for a lot of us.

The good news? Tons of couples are saying “I do” to smaller weddings. They’re easier to plan, less stressful, and often allow for more connection among you and your guests. And no, a wedding under $10k doesn’t have to mean giving up on something beautiful. With some fresh inspiration and creativity, you can have a day that feels intimate, unique, and totally you.

Here are small inexpensive wedding ideas to unveil ways you can celebrate your love without draining your bank account.

Table of Contents

• Start with the guest list
• Find affordable venues
• Get thrifty
• Go digital with invites
• DIY touches
• Food and drink hacks
• Keep entertainment intimate
• Support local vendors
• Focus on seasonal decor
• Crowdsource memories
• Heartfelt, budget-friendly favors

Start with the guest list

Let’s start with the sometimes uncomfortable truth: if you want to save serious money, you’ll need to start with the guest list. Every extra person adds another plate, another chair, another drink, another slice of dessert. And finding a space to accommodate dozens of people can be tricky. All of this adds up quickly.

Instead of thinking about who’s getting the chop, however, reframe your thinking: Who do you truly want in the room with you and your partner when you tie the knot? A smaller guest list doesn’t mean less love. It just means more meaningful time with the people who matter most.

Some couples stick to immediate family and a handful of close friends, keeping the guest list under 30. Others stretch it to 50–60. There’s no magic number, but know this: trimming your guest list is the single biggest way to make planning a small wedding on a budget realistic. 

There may be some awkward moments, but navigating non-invitees is something that comes with the territory. Most people will understand, especially with the mountainous costs associated with today’s weddings.

Find affordable venues with plenty of charm

Venue costs are usually the biggest budget vampire, but small weddings give you flexibility that giant ones don’t. Forget the hotel ballroom that requires 200 people just to fill the space and don’t waste your time browsing small wedding Airbnbs that actually prohibit events. Think smaller, more charming, and more creative.

Here are some small inexpensive wedding ideas for venues:

• Small backyard weddings: Any yard can be transformed with string lights, comfy chairs, and intentional decor.
• Public parks or gardens: Many cities offer affordable permits for ceremonies and receptions in scenic outdoor spaces.
• Local breweries or restaurants: Perfect for intimate groups, and you don’t have to worry about outside catering.
• Community centers or art galleries: These often cost a fraction of traditional venues and already have personality built in.
• Rent-by-the-hour venues: Platforms like Peerspace let you book unique spaces for weddings on a budget for only the hours you need, not the whole day.

Get thrifty with it

If you love the thrill of a good deal (and let’s be real, who doesn’t?), thrifting is basically your wedding planning superpower. It goes without saying that thrifting doesn’t equal used. You can find plenty of one-of-a-kind items that look new off the shelf or like they were the crown jewel of someone’s china cabinet. 

You can thrift almost everything:

• Attire: Bridal consignment shops, vintage stores, and even Facebook wedding attire resale groups are packed with dresses and suits worn once and then resold. A quick trip to the tailor and you’ve got a custom fit for hundreds (sometimes thousands) less.
• Decor: Vases, mismatched china, candleholders, frames, craft supplies, and more. Thrift stores are treasure troves and hotspots for new budget wedding ideas to be born.
• Furniture and extras: Vintage rugs, funky couches, or wooden chairs can create cozy lounge areas for a fraction of rental prices. And an eclectic wedding just makes for more interesting photos.

Thrifting is more than just budget-friendly—it’s sustainable! Giving items a second life means your wedding is both stylish and eco-conscious. Check out online thrift platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Poshmark, or make a date out of a visit to your local second-hand store. You never know what you might find.

Go digital with invitations

Printed invitations are beautiful, but they can also be sneaky budget busters. Between fancy cardstock, custom printing, and postage, the cost per guest adds up shockingly fast. And there’s always the risk that they get lost in the mail or buried under a junk mail pile. If you’re planning a small wedding on a budget, digital invitations are your best friend.

• Send e-invites: Platforms like Paperless Post, Greenvelope, and Canva offer gorgeous, customizable templates. Many of them are free or super affordable.
• Build a wedding website: This is the perfect hub for all the details: venue directions, nearby hotels, an itinerary, FAQs, and even your registry. Guests can access everything in one place, which saves you time answering a million “what time does the ceremony start?” texts.
• Streamline RSVPs and updates: With digital invites, you can track responses in real time and send quick updates if plans change. No lost mail, no missing reply cards, no confusion.

Bonus: Going digital is eco-friendly! That’s fewer trees sacrificed for cardstock and fewer envelopes destined for the landfill. Your wallet and the planet will thank you.

DIY touches that double as fun

A smaller wedding is the perfect excuse to sprinkle in some DIY projects. Not that there aren’t plenty of budget wedding items on Amazon, but because personal touches can turn decor into heartfelt memories. Plus, it gives you fun activities to do with your soon-to-be spouse and/or friends!

Inexpensive wedding ideas worth trying:

• Photo wall: Make a quick trip to your local photo store and hang snapshots of your relationship on twine with clothespins. Guests will love chronicling your love story.
• Wedding backdrops: From pool noodles and fake flowers to tulle, drapery, and fairy lights, there’s nothing a little hot glue can’t do. Throw in a neon sign and you have the perfect, affordable photo backdrop.
• Painted glass sign: Buy some glass paint and a frame, and once you’ve sketched out a design—whether it’s you and your partner’s names, the signature cocktails, or a fun art deco pattern—use your paint to trace onto the glass.
• Hand-crafted cake toppers: All you need are wooden peg people, some air dry clay, and your imagination. You have yourself the cutest little figurines and forever keepsakes.

Now, off to Pinterest with you while inspiration is fresh! After you’ve read the rest of these small inexpensive wedding ideas, of course.

Food and drink hacks for every budget

Next to venues, catering tends to swallow up wedding budgets the most. A traditional plated meal can easily run $100+ per guest and there’s no guarantee that the food will be very good even at that price point… 

But when you’re planning a small wedding on a budget, you’ve got options.

• Food trucks: They may be more affordable than you think plus they allow guests to order exactly what they want when they want it, ultimately reducing food waste. From tacos to wood-fired pizza and even ice cream trucks, there are diverse options.
• Restaurant buyouts: Many local spots will close a section or even the whole place for small groups. Built-in food and atmosphere mean significant savings.
• Buffet or family-style: More casual, less pricey, and guests can serve themselves. Some couples even opt for potluck-style celebrations as an intimate way to get everyone involved.
• DIY dessert table: Replace the tiered cake with pies from your favorite bakery, fondue, a cookie bar, or a sundae station.

And no wedding is complete without some good sips.

• Signature cocktails: Name them after your pets, favorite memories, or nicknames for each other. Go with everyone’s favorite classics or get creative with something new! (Ever had a hibiscus French 75? Thank me later.)
• Self-serve bar: Stock a few spirits, mixers, and garnishes, then let guests play mixologist. It’s fun, interactive, and cost-friendly. Just consider some pour spouts to keep guests from “accidentally” overdoing it.

The food and drinks at your wedding don’t need to look a certain way. Just because you don’t have dedicated salad forks or butter in fancy shapes, doesn’t mean your bites aren’t up to par. Most people would much rather sink their teeth into some cheesy pizza than poke at a run-of-the-mill chicken and vegetable plate.

Keep the entertainment intimate

A string quartet or a charismatic DJ might sound fun in theory, but they’re not necessary to keep your reception lively. And understandably, they’re not on the cheaper side either. Smaller weddings thrive on interaction, so focus less on “dance floor spectacle” and more “fun everyone can join in.”

• Collaborative playlists: Apps let guests queue songs in real time.
• Local musicians: Hire a guitarist, violinist, or jazz duo. Scout out your nearby farmers’ markets and open mics for local talent.
• Games: Lawn game ideas like cornhole or jumbo Jenga for low-budget outdoor receptions. Indoors? Try trivia or the classic newlywed “shoe game.”

When the group is small, even simple activities spark laughter and connection. Looking for a space that’s celebration-ready? Check out the diverse selection of intimate budget-friendly wedding venues on Peerspace.

Support local vendors

A not-so-secret hack: You don’t need to hire the most expensive, wedding-industry-certified vendors to get great results. In fact, going with the usual suspects often means paying for inflated wedding markups. 

But when you’re planning a small wedding on a budget, you’ve got freedom on your side. You can think outside the box and outside the bridal brochures. Some of the best small inexpensive wedding ideas come from leaning local and tapping into talent that’s right in your community.

• Photography students: Art schools and universities are full of talented students eager to build their portfolios.
• Small bakeries and caterers: Skip the big wedding bakery and call your favorite neighborhood shop.
• Florists-in-training: Farmer’s markets and floral schools often offer gorgeous arrangements at a fraction of the cost.
• Crafters: Etsy sellers or friends with creative hobbies can whip up signage, favors, or decor. At the very least, browsing Etsy could give you some DIY inspiration.

Choosing local means you’re investing in real people instead of giant companies. In the end, supporting local talent means your wedding will look and feel one-of-a-kind. Forget cookie-cutter packages. You’ll walk away with a celebration that’s just as unique as your love story.

Focus on seasonal florals and decor

Florals are one of those sneaky budget vampires couples don’t always see coming. But you don’t need an entire flower wall or cascading arrangements to make your space feel magical. When you’re planning an affordable wedding, focus on what’s seasonal, simple, and available wholesale if you’re still looking to go all out.

• Choose flowers that are in season locally—imported blooms are way pricier.
• Mix greenery and candles with just a few statement arrangements.
• Try potted plants or succulents, which double as take-home favors.
• Rent your flowers! Choose from real or silk flowers.
• Start early by foraging some blooms near you and watch some videos on how to properly dry them.

Crowdsource the memories

Even if you hire a professional photographer for a few hours, your guests will be snapping away on their phones all through the night. So why not lean into it by building guest photos right into your plan? It stretches your photography coverage without stretching your budget, and adds a candid, real-life layer that perfectly complements the more polished shots.

When all is said and done, you can create a shared album link for everyone to upload their pics. Another option is providing disposable or instant cameras for guests to pass around. Tell people to use a custom wedding hashtag so you can keep track of all the lovely shots that get posted on socials.

Heartfelt favors that don’t break the bank

Wedding favors have a reputation for being overpriced knick-knacks that get left behind. Then you’re left with all sorts of trinkets that feel too personal to toss, but too excessive to keep around. For a small wedding, keep it personal and inexpensive. 

Everyone resonates with different gifts, but here’s a short list to get you started:

• Mini jars of homemade or locally crafted jam or honey
• Packets of wild seeds
• Homemade cookies or other treats
• Custom matchboxes
• Mini succulents
• Lavender sachets
• Bath bombs
• Hand creams
• Loose leaf tea
• Custom playing cards

This is a great opportunity to field your friends on what sorts of favors they actually enjoy getting. Keep it simple and thoughtful. Whatever you choose is bound to be more meaningful than mass-produced trinkets. Just think about things you’ve had foisted on you at corporate events and choose the exact opposite. Pens and ball caps, anyone?

Big love, small budget wedding—it’s a match!

A gentle reminder for you: Your guests aren’t coming for centerpieces, extravagance, or free cake. They’re coming to celebrate you, your partner, and this new, exciting chapter in your life. Small weddings are naturally better at fostering connection. You’ll actually get to talk to each guest, laugh, eat, and soak up the joy without rushing from table to table.

So when the pressure starts creeping in, remind yourself: Perfection isn’t the goal. Connection is. And that’s something money can’t buy.

Your wedding doesn’t need to be big—or expensive—to feel unforgettable. By trimming the guest list, thrifting to your heart’s content, getting creative with food and drinks, and leaning on local talent, you can plan a day that’s personal, intentional, and avoids spiking your blood pressure.

When you’re ready to cross one more thing off your planning checklist, browse Peerspace’s unique collection of intimate wedding venues.