How to Plan a Wedding for $5,000

One of our favorite things about weddings is how creative a couple gets to be. Some choose to get married in front of all their people — some like to keep their gathering small, or even skip the traditional wedding altogether and just elope. Either way, your wedding day should be exactly what YOU want it to be, in that moment and for years to come. We believe that’s only possible when you calculate your budget based on your authentic situation (use our 1-Page Wedding Plan). Here’s the next installment of our “Weddings for Every Budget” series with a few to inspire you to plan a wedding for less than $5,000!

How to elope (with a mini-moon!) for $5,000

Since the start of Covid-19, elopements have grown in popularity. We love them for a few reasons. First, eloping is a wonderful opportunity to get married at a destination you have loved for years. Second, because the guest list for an elopement is relatively small, this type of event allows you to be completely intentional with your time and budget. Third, eloping in a beautiful spot makes for one of the easiest transitions into a mini-moon – simply stay put!

Example Elopement Turned Mini-moon Budget ($5,000)

• Hotel or Home Rental: $250/night for 4 nights – $1,000
• Marriage License: $100
• Officiant: $150 for a Vegas-style officiant.
• Photographer: $1,500 – Consider asking your photographer to capture your wedding and an additional session while you’re exploring your destination on your mini-moon.
• Flowers: $150 for a bouquet and boutonniere
• Attire: $1,250 – splurge on the dress of your dreams!
• Cake and Champagne: $100 – Purchase a cake from a local bakery and toast with champagne post-vows!
• Food & Drinks – $500 – Plan to budget at least $100/day to enjoy meals out around town.
• Excursions – $0– Add sightseeing tours, a couples massage, and honeymoon dinners out to your Honeyfund so your friends and family can contribute!

How to host a backyard wedding for $5,000

Getting married at home is one of the easiest ways to keep your wedding budget in check! A backyard can become as lush as any garden-inspired venue space when you adorn it with flowers and homemade decorations. Host an intimate gathering with friends and family in a backyard where you can celebrate your ceremony and keep the fun going over lunch or dinner post-vows. Think about having games on hand too to introduce a little friendly competition. Consider having a friend DJ, and get creative with the food! Food truck rentals can be a memorable addition to your backyard wedding–choose your favorite type of food and scout out food trucks in your area that serve that!

Example Backyard Wedding Budget: $4,930 for 20 people

• Marriage License: $100
• Officiant: $30 when your ceremony is officiated by a family member or friend.
• Photographer: $1,500
• Flowers: $750 for a small bouquet, boutonniere and altar arrangement—consider buying additional flowers from your local farmer’s market or wholesale store to DIY table centerpieces and additional floral arrangements
• Attire: $1000 for wedding dress + suit rental
• Food & Alcohol: $1,000 for food truck rental for 40 people
• Cake: $150
• Backyard Games: $50 for a set
• Rentals chairs and table for 25: $200
• Music: $0 – Create a playlist on Spotify and ask a friend or family member to press play when you’re ready to share your first and parent dances.

How to host a wedding at a venue for $5,000

When we think of weddings, most often we envision them happening at a venue. If you’re not willing to sacrifice on the traditional ceremony and reception for your big day, get creative with your venue choice! Consider affordable local spaces like community centers, church fellowship halls or even a local park or brewery. Keep your guest list to a minimum to keep food and beverage costs low.

Example Restaurant Wedding Budget: $5,005 (for 15 people)

• Marriage License: $100
• Officiant: $30 when your ceremony is officiated by a family member or friend who is ordained through Universal Life Church.
• Photographer: $1,500
• Venue: $2,500 – food and non alcoholic drink included at $100/person
• Flowers: $500 for a bouquet, boutonniere, and centerpieces
• Attire: $1000 for wedding dress and tux rental
• Dessert: $125
• Music: $0 – Create a playlist on Spotify and ask a friend or family member to press play when you’re ready to share your first and parent dances.

How to host a flash wedding for $5,000

Shock your guests by inviting them to an intimate engagement, birthday, or “just because” party only to reveal they’re actually attending your wedding! Before you go ahead with this epic surprise, ensure that you have the necessary permits, choose the right venue, and invite only your closest friends and family members. Plan well in advance, keep a backup plan, and delegate responsibilities to a few trusted individuals who can keep the surprise under wraps. Above all, communicate with your partner and ensure that they are on board with the idea!

Example Outdoor Flash Wedding Budget: $4,180

• Invitations: $50 – To keep your cover, make sure to send an invitation to your engagement or birthday party! Rather than splurging for traditional invites, send online invitations through Paperless Post.
• Marriage License: $100
• Officiant: $30 when your ceremony is officiated by a family member or friend who is ordained through Universal Life Church.
• Parking permit: $150
• Photographer: $1,500
• Flowers: $150 for a bouquet and boutonniere
• Attire: $750
• Food Truck for Dinner: $600
• Food Truck for Dessert (think: ice cream truck!): $600
• Drinks: $250 – Because you’ll be outside and likely in a public space, you may want to skip alcohol.
• Tables & Chairs: $0 – Ask guests to bring their own beach chairs and blankets to this “park party”
• Music: $0 – Create a playlist on Spotify and ask a friend or family member to press play when you’re ready to share your first and parent dances.

Example Restaurant Flash Wedding Budget: $4,805 (for 15 people)

• Invitations: $50 – To keep your cover, make sure to send an invitation to your engagement or birthday party! Rather than splurging for traditional invites, send online invitations through Paperless Post.
• Marriage License: $100
• Officiant: $30 when your ceremony is officiated by a family member or friend who is ordained through Universal Life Church.
• Photographer: $1,500
• Flowers: $750 for a bouquet, boutonniere, and centerpieces
• Attire: $750
• Food & Alcohol: $1,500, including tax and gratuity, at $100/person
• Dessert: $125
• Music: $0 – Create a playlist on Spotify and ask a friend or family member to press play when you’re ready to share your first and parent dances.

Researching weddings on a variety of budgets? Read our other “Weddings For Any Budget” articles.

About the author:

Carly Totten is a wedding planner and sometimes florist for couples and a copywriter for creatives primarily serving the wedding industry. She is based outside of Philadelphia, but she travels often, especially to Charleston, South Carolina. Her work has been featured online with Brides, Every Last Detail, The Huffington Post, The Spruce, and more and in print with Philadelphia Weddings Magazine and Modern Luxury Weddings Philadelphia.