How to Plan a Wedding for $10,000 or Less

When you start planning your wedding, it’s tempting to dive right into the most creative aspect—the details! But, before you begin exploring color palettes, styles, flowers, and more, press pause and decide on the budget, you (and everyone contributing financially toward your wedding day) are comfortable spending. At Honeyfund, we don’t want family, friends, social media, or any other outside opinions to pressure you into feeling like you have to follow so-called wedding planning norms or budget averages. We want to encourage you to plan a wedding that’s true to your unique vision, and your authentic budget! We’re showing you that it’s possible to plan a wedding for up to $500, $1,000, and $5,000. Today, we’re breaking down six ways you can celebrate with a $10,000 wedding budget—still far less than the national average. Meaning you’ll still have money in your pocket to take that dream honeymoon!

How to host a wedding at a venue for $10,000

You only get one shot at planning your big day, so it’s important that you prioritize what means the most to you. If you can’t imagine cutting down your guest list, opt for a fun wedding full of tradition and cut back on other areas like the decor. Maybe details like the flowers, decor and your attire are priorities when it comes to planning your big day. Then try hosting a micro wedding with fewer guests so you can dedicate more of your budget to those things! Get creative and explore other ways to stretch your $10,000 wedding budget like DIY projects, floral rental, or searching for secondhand wedding decor on Facebook Marketplace. Signing up for a Honeyfund can be another great way to raise funds for your wedding by allowing your friends and family to contribute to the things that mean the most!

Example Venue Wedding Budget: $9,705 for 25 guests

Invitations: $250
Marriage License: $100
Officiant: $30 when the ceremony is officiated by a family member or friend ordained via Universal Life Church
Photographer: $1,500
Flowers: $1,500 for a bouquet, boutonniere, and centerpieces
Attire: $1,500
Food & Alcohol: $3,125 including tax and gratuity, at $125/person
Dessert: $200
Music: $1,500 – Hire a DJ!

How to host a destination wedding for $10,000

If you’ve shared your Honeyfund with to your wedding guests, they probably can guess how much you love to travel! What better way to celebrate your love than with a wedding in a dreamy destination away from home. We imagine your guests feel the same way! So, plan a destination wedding with a big emphasis placed on adventure and time together with those closest to you.

Example Asheville Destination Wedding Budget: $9,530 for 6 guests

Home Rental: $500/night for 4 nights – $2,000
Marriage License: $100
Officiant: $30 when the ceremony is officiated by a family member or friend ordained via Universal Life Church
Photographer: $1,500 – Consider specifically searching for an elopement photographer! Elopement photographers in Asheville, specifically, like to capture the moment you get married. Then they like to explore with you while continuing to capture additional photos.
Flowers: $250 for a bouquet and boutonniere
Attire: $2,500 – Splurge on the dress of your dreams. But don’t be afraid to get it dirty, especially if you decide to say “We do” with mountain views!
Cake and Champagne: $100 – Purchase a cake from a local bakery and toast with champagne post-vows!
Food & Drinks – $1,250 – Plan to budget at least $250/day to enjoy meals at your rental home and out around town.
Excursions – $1,800 – Find adventure! Hiking the trails is free along the Blue Ridge Parkway, but you can also kayak, tour breweries, bike around town, visit the Biltmore Estate, and even take a hot air balloon ride. We imagine your crew experiencing at least one experience each day for three days.

How to host a wedding at a winery or brewery for $10,000

If hosting a traditional wedding at a venue doesn’t quite sound like you, but you still want to make sure your wedding day is 100% memorable, create an experience instead! Consider hosting your closest family and friends at a winery or brewery. Enjoy a customized tasting together, and then stay for dinner and dancing. Your day will still feel entirely celebratory, plus you will all be enjoying a unique experience together.

Example Winery or Brewery Tasting Wedding Budget: $8,000 for 10 guests

Invitations: $100
Marriage License: $100
Officiant: $150
Photographer: $1,500
Flowers: $1,500 for a bouquet, boutonniere, lush altar arrangements, and centerpieces
Attire: $2,000 – Enjoy your day in your dream dress!
Food & Alcohol: $2,500 including tax and gratuity, at $250/person for 10 people
Dessert: $150
Music: $0 – Plan to cue up a Spotify playlist so you can enjoy background music and your first and parent dances.

How to host a pop-up wedding for $10,000

As we’ve mentioned before, pop-up weddings tend to be a surprise for your wedding guests—they typically think they’re attending a birthday or engagement party, not a wedding. And that’s part of the fun! In addition to reciting your vows in front of a limited number of guests (think: no more than 25 people), keep the excitement going by adding a dance floor. Just because your wedding is a surprise, that doesn’t mean you can’t create a registry! A Honeyfund allows you to ask for what you really want, and your guests will love contributing.

Example Pop-up Wedding at a B&B Budget: $9,650 for 25 guests

Invitations: $200 – To keep your cover, make sure to send an invitation to your engagement or birthday party!
Marriage License: $100
Officiant: $150
Photographer: $1,500
Flowers: $1,500 for a bouquet, boutonniere, altar arrangements, and centerpieces
Attire: $2,000 – Splurge on your dream dress and source a custom (budget-friendly!) suit for the groom from SuitShop
Food & Alcohol: $2,500 including tax and gratuity, at $100/person
Dessert: $200
Music: $1,500 – Plan to hire a DJ!

How to host a wedding at a private home for $10,000

Did you know you can rent an Airbnb or other private home for your wedding? It’s a wonderful way to create the feeling of celebrating at a private home without the hefty price tag or a family member who would like to loan you their residence for the day. One idea is to plan a staycation and choose a rental home close to where you reside. Another idea is to plan to travel to a destination and ask up to 25 family and friends to join you (they’ll stay nearby!). Use your Honeyfund to register for travel costs, hotel stays, and activities so you can extend your trip and stay for your honeymoon!

Example Airbnb Wedding Budget: $9,250-$9,950 for 25 guests

Home Rental: $400-$750/night for 2 nights (depending on how many guests are staying the weekend)
Marriage License: $100
Officiant: $150
Photographer: $1,500
Flowers: $1,000 for a bouquet, boutonniere, and centerpieces
Attire: $1,500
Chair, Table, and Linen Rentals: $300
Food + Alcohol: $2,500 at $100/person
Dessert: $150
Music: $1,250 – Hire a DJ!

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

Learn more about how Honeyfund can make your dream wedding and honeymoon happen.

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 often travels, 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.