You’re on a budget, but still want to have an elegant wedding reception? There are many ideas you can use that won’t break the bank. From cheap flower arrangements to elegant flower arrangements, these cheap and easy wedding reception ideas can be the perfect choice for your big day. Just remember to keep these ideas under budget in mind and you’ll be surprised how well your wedding reception turns out.
Food
For a classy wedding reception without breaking the bank, consider the backyard of your friend or family member. If you have a large yard, borrow it from them and set it up for your reception. A wedding reception in the backyard is both casual and elegant, but it might require a tent. If you cannot borrow a tent, consider renting a canopy. Make sure to plan for electrical hookups, guest restrooms, and food safety.
Instead of buying tablecloths, consider creating DIY centerpieces. Use large white bowls filled with red fruit to decorate the reception tables. You can wrap each one with red napkins. An art school may have unique, inexpensive items you can use for decor. Instead of buying real greenery, consider making a few candles from soy wax. Using a candle tin and a gift tag, guests can write their own personal messages on each one.
The most important thing to remember when planning a wedding on a budget is to be realistic. While you want to make your wedding look great, you don’t want it to be overly expensive. To keep everything under budget, you must be very careful about how much you spend. Use high-quality materials and make sure the food is on par with other weddings. Even if your wedding is on a budget, don’t invite everyone you know. Adding too many guests will add to your expenses and will also make your wedding feel less intimate.
Decorations
When you’re on a budget, you can find cheap, classy wedding reception ideas that don’t look cheesy at all. Instead of spending a bundle on elaborate decorations, try DIY projects. You can add a touch of class to your reception with confetti or green place mats. Or, try out the hottest new trend in wedding decor, donut walls. These are not only affordable but can make your reception look bigger.
To save money, you can use thrift store finds for wedding decorations and decor. Thrift stores are a great source for vintage china. These plates can be used for table runners and chargers, and you can even clean them up and turn them into sentimental favors. Paper lanterns are a cost-effective alternative to flowers. Glass or mason jar lanterns are also a cheap way to decorate the reception venue. You can also add battery-operated fairy lights to the jars and lanterns.
For the favors, you don’t have to spend a fortune. Dollar-store frames can double as wedding favors. Alternatively, small bags filled with wedding colored candies are an inexpensive and easy option. For a spring or summer wedding, you can give your guests packets of flower seed. A winter or fall wedding can use single-serve coffee or hot cocoa. The guests will love these unique gifts.
Venues
If you want a lavish-looking wedding on a budget, consider holding your reception at a historical site or aquarium. You can even choose a venue with character, such as a botanical garden or museum. Even if you can’t afford to rent a traditional reception hall, you can add a splash of color by using tulle around the head table and the guest tables. You can also place pillar candles paired with a silk floral garlands. To further save money, you can attach flower garlands to the back of chairs to create a romantic atmosphere.
As the bride, you can also choose to have brunch instead of dinner. Brunches are often lower-priced than dinner receptions, and the food is more affordable. Alternatively, you can hire a band to play at the reception and pay separately for the music. You can even find cheap wedding venues through online sites, such as The Wedding Spot, which lets you filter your venue options according to your budget.
You may find an inexpensive venue by renting a temporary home. You can also ask friends for their extra space, and set up the tables with inexpensive linens. If you’re worried about the weather, you can always rent a tent for the reception. A canopy wedding venue can be even cheaper than a tent, but make sure to think about electrical hookups, guest restrooms, and food safety, before choosing a backyard location.
Flowers
Some of the best ideas for a simple and inexpensive wedding reception are edible. They are not only inexpensive to buy, but also can be easy to create yourself. Edible wedding favors include homemade jams, spice mixtures, and packets of seeds. Here are 10 ideas that cost under $1 each. Consider the time of year when you plan to hold your wedding and what is in season for flowers, food, and decorations.
If your budget doesn’t stretch to elaborate decorations, consider buying inexpensive wedding decor. You can purchase inexpensive candles and centerpieces. If your budget is tight, consider buying inexpensive globe paper lanterns and string them across the tables for a chandelier effect. You can even look for sentimental items that your guests can use to decorate their chairs. You can also find some inexpensive wedding decorations on Amazon. You can even get a custom-made cake topper for less than $20!
DIY floral arrangements are a great way to save money. A creative friend or family member can help you make the arrangements, or you can buy flowers from your local grocery store or gardening center. You can also look for wholesale flower suppliers near you. DIY floral videos are also available on Pinterest and YouTube. They can save you hundreds of dollars and stretch your flower budget. Make sure you follow all instructions carefully and do a trial run before you order flowers.
Non-alcoholic drinks
Depending on your venue and guest list, you can have both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks at your wedding reception. While a traditional wedding with lots of alcohol is always fun, many couples choose not to serve alcohol for religious or health reasons. Other reasons include personal taste and venue restrictions. Whatever your reason, there are plenty of nonalcoholic options to choose from that will satisfy everyone in attendance. This article outlines the options and provides budget-friendly alternatives.
Aside from the obvious non-alcoholic options, you can also serve other types of beverages at your reception, such as juices and water. If you’re serving the non-drinkers, you can have plenty of bottled water. However, you should consider that non-drinkers will consume larger bottles, and this will end up being a waste of money. Non-alcoholic drinks include Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and lemonade. If you’re serving these beverages to everyone, you’ll only need a few cases.
Aside from avoiding alcohol altogether, you can also save money by purchasing your own alcohol. Although you should consult a caterer for the best pricing, you can also buy alcohol in bulk from liquor stores to save money on costs. Plus, you can choose a brand you prefer, which is cheaper than buying in bulk. Alcohol stores usually allow you to return unused bottles to save money. If your guests don’t like a particular brand, you can request them to be refunded.
Paper lanterns
A traditional Chinese lantern is not expensive to buy. They can be decorated with confetti and flowers and used as party favors. Paper lanterns are a great way to keep the overall cost of your wedding reception under budget. You can also purchase battery-powered fairy lights to place inside the lanterns for soft, ambient lighting. There are many uses for paper lanterns. You can also make them yourself if you want to save money.
While many people choose to use colorful balloons for decorations, paper lanterns are a chic, elegant alternative. They can flank the aisle and create beautiful centerpieces. You can choose from four different color varieties to match your wedding theme. Mirrored lanterns have a soft, reflected effect that will add a new dimension to your décor. These lanterns can be used anywhere, and they are reusable and eco-friendly.
Adding paper lanterns is a simple way to add pops of color and light to your decor without breaking the bank. You can purchase several sets and hang them from the ceiling, or place them strategically around tables or the ground. You can even choose different colors to add accent colors. They can be purchased at affordable prices online, and will still add a unique look to your reception.
Caricature artists
If you are on a tight budget, you may want to consider hiring a caricature artist for your wedding reception. This fun addition to your event can make a big impact without breaking your budget. A caricature artist will take as many as 15 minutes to complete each portrait. The portraits usually go home with the subjects. Photobooths are also a great way to get copies of all of your guests’ pictures.
Prices for caricature artists will vary, but you can generally expect to pay $125 to $150 an hour. The cost will depend on the number of faces, the type of paper used, and whether or not they can access digital images. Most caricature artists will require a deposit, which may be a percentage of the overall fee. Caricature artists charge more per face, so if you have many guests, be sure to factor that into your budget.
In addition to weddings, caricature artists can be hired for other events, including corporate parties, trade exhibitions, and private parties. These talented artists bring their charismatic sense of humour to your reception and are great for entertaining your guests. Caricatures can be anything from a bride holding her bouquet to the groom in thongs. You can even choose your own caricature artist to create custom gift cards, wedding stationery, and more.
