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I Planned an 80-Guest Wedding for $4,847 (Full Budget Breakdown) – Better Budget Weddings
How One Bride Had a Dream Wedding for $4,847—And You Can Too
Yes, it’s possible to plan a wedding under $5,000. No, you don’t have to elope to Vegas. Let’s break it down.
Picture This…
It’s midnight on a Tuesday and I get a text from my client Jessica:
“There’s NO WAY I can have a real wedding under $5000. Everyone keeps telling me I need at least $15,000 minimum, and I’m starting to think we should just elope to Vegas.”
Whew. Sound familiar? If you’re feeling like your only options are either take out a wedding loan or run away to the courthouse, this one’s for you. Because I texted back what I always say in these moments:
“Oh honey, you have no idea what’s possible.”
Six months later, Jessica had 80 guests, live acoustic music, a taco bar that had people going back for thirds, and centerpieces straight out of Martha Stewart Weddings—all for $4,847. Not “$4,847 if you already own a bunch of decor.” No. That price included the dress, the food, the flowers, the music, photography—everything.
Let’s walk through exactly how she pulled it off, so you can too.
Step 1: Identify Your Non-Negotiables
Before anything else, Jessica and her fiancé made a list of their top priorities—things that would make the wedding feel personal and sacred:
- Amazing food guests would actually remember
- Professional photos of both families together
- A ceremony that felt sacred and intimate
- Dancing under string lights (a nod to their first date)
Everything else? Optional. This meant they could focus their budget on what mattered most.
📝 Your Turn: Jot down YOUR top 3–4 non-negotiables. This one habit will save you from wasting money on things you don’t care about and will make a wedding under $5000 actually possible.
Step 2: Copy Jessica’s Budget Breakdown
Here’s how the $4,847 wedding came to life:
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Venue | $0 | Her aunt’s backyard. (Don’t have one? Keep reading.) |
| Food | $1,200 | Local taco truck for 80 people—$15/person all-in. |
| Photography | $800 | Talented student building her portfolio. |
| Dress + Alterations | $260 | Sample sale win + $80 in alterations. |
| Flowers | $150 | Grocery store blooms in thrifted vases. |
| Decor | $200 | DIY signs, Amazon string lights, borrowed linens. |
| Music | $300 | Friend’s cousin, pro DJ, family rate. |
| Rings | $400 | Vintage finds from a local jeweler. |
| Invitations | $50 | Designed on Canva, printed at FedEx. |
| Miscellaneous | $267 | License, makeup trial, emergency items. |
🎁 Bonus: Inside my Better Budget Weddings Membership, I’ve included Jessica’s full spreadsheet—with built-in calculators based on guest count and vendor contact info.
Step 3: These Strategies Make a Wedding Under $5000 Possible
🕐 Strategy 1: Pick a Weekday
Jessica chose a Friday in October, which saved $400 on food and gave her access to more flexible vendors.
🤝 Strategy 2: Bundle Services
She negotiated photo + video as a combo deal: $800 for photography + $200 for ceremony highlights.
🔁 Strategy 3: Borrow What You Can
She made a spreadsheet for borrowed items—veil, jewelry, linens—which saved over $450.
🎁 Strategy 4: Ask for Specific Gifts
Instead of vague “can you help?” asks, she said, “Would you make our wedding cake as your gift?”
🎉 Strategy 5: Prioritize Experience Over Aesthetics
No one remembers the font on your invite. They remember the laughter, the dancing, and the taco bar that slapped.
Step 4: Real Talk—What It Takes
This kind of budget wedding is possible—but it requires:
- Time: Jessica invested ~10 hrs/week for 4 months.
- Flexibility: She was open to dates, decor, and vendor swaps.
- Support: Family and friends helped DIY, call vendors, and more.
- A Trimmed Guest List: 80 guests = huge cost savings.
But in return? No debt. No stress. And the ability to buy a house six months later.
Final Thoughts
I’ve planned over 200 weddings—from $3,000 to $200,000—and I can tell you: the most memorable weddings aren’t the most expensive. They’re the most intentional.
Jessica’s wedding had people talking for months because it felt like them. Not Pinterest. Not the Knot. THEM.
If that’s what you want? I can help.
💍 Resources Mentioned
- Better Budget Weddings Membership – Full budget templates, vendor scripts, and planning guides
- Vendor Negotiation Email Templates Freebie – Free scripts that can save you thousands
📲 More From Me
- Follow on Instagram for daily tips & behind-the-scenes
- Watch on YouTube for weekly wedding breakdowns
- Browse the Blog for even more faith-aligned wedding help
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