How to Plan a Dream Wedding on a Budget in DFW, Texas

Congratulations on your engagement!

Now comes the exciting (and sometimes stressful) part: planning your wedding. But what if you don’t have a ton of money to spend? Don’t worry, it’s still possible to have a beautiful and memorable wedding on a budget. In this post, we’ll provide step-by-step tips and tricks to help you plan your dream wedding in the DFW, Texas area for $5,000 or less.

We’ll cover everything from finding affordable venues and vendors to creating DIY decorations and favors. We’ll also share our real-life wedding budget example from successfully planning our wedding on a tight budget.

By the end of this post, you’ll be feeling confident and excited about planning your wedding on a budget. Let’s get started!

Setting Your Wedding Budget

The first step in planning your wedding on a budget is to determine how much you can realistically afford to spend. Once you have a number in mind, you can start allocating funds to different aspects of your wedding.

Step 1: Determine Your Overall Budget

Track your monthly expenses: For a few months, meticulously track all your income and expenses. This will give you a clear picture of your current financial situation.
Discuss with your partner: Have an open and honest conversation with your partner about your financial goals and expectations for the wedding.
Consider a joint savings account: Start saving a portion of your income each month specifically for the wedding.
Set a realistic budget:
- Examples:
  - If you have a comfortable income and minimal debt, you might consider a budget of $5,000 – $10,000.
  - If you have student loans or other financial obligations, you might set a smaller budget of $3,000 – $5,000.
  - If you’re relying solely on savings, you might need to set a more modest budget of $2,000 – $3,000.
- Don’t overextend yourselves financially. Consider a budget that allows you to enjoy your wedding without going into debt.

Resource: Here is a free Google Sheet Wedding Planning Template for your use. (Instructions: Open, Go to File, Select “Make a Copy”.)

Step 2: Allocate Funds

Prioritize: Determine which aspects of the wedding are most important to you (e.g., photography, food, music). Allocate a larger portion of your budget to these areas.
Create a spreadsheet: Use a spreadsheet (like Google Sheets or Excel) to track your budget. This will help you stay organized and make adjustments as needed.
Consider the 50/30/20 rule: Allocate 50% of your budget to necessities (venue, food, drinks), 30% to wants (decorations, entertainment), and 20% to unexpected expenses.

Finding Affordable Wedding Venues

The venue is typically one of the biggest wedding expenses. However, there are still ways to find affordable venues in the DFW area.

Step 1: Explore Non-Traditional Options

Parks and Gardens: Many parks in DFW offer beautiful outdoor spaces for ceremonies and receptions. Check with local parks and recreation departments for permits and fees. (e.g., Trinity Park in Fort Worth, Klyde Warren Park in Dallas)
Historic Buildings: Consider renting a historic building or museum for your reception. These venues often offer unique character and charm. (e.g., The Magnolia at The Cedars in Dallas, Fort Worth Stockyards Museum)
Restaurants, Cafes, and Wineries: Some restaurants, cafes, and wineries offer private dining rooms or outdoor spaces that can be rented for weddings. (e.g., The Grape in Dallas, The Tavern in Fort Worth)

Referral: My wife and I had our ceremony and reception at Azle Deer Cove in Azle TX. In the smaller “Casita” room It is big enough for 50 people, requires very little decoration, and the owner Sara is an absolute JOY to work with. When it comes to the quality of space you’re getting at the rate they charge… My wife and I couldn’t find anything remotely comparable. HIGHLY RECOMEND!

Step 2: Consider Off-Season Dates

Weekdays and Off-Season Months: Getting married on a weekday or during the off-season (winter or fall) can often result in lower venue rental fees. For Example:
- January: Lower costs, more availability, unique winter themes.
- February: Romantic, Valentine’s Day inspired, less competition.
- November: Beautiful fall foliage, cozy atmosphere, fewer guests.
- March: Signs of spring, budget-friendly, less competition.
Check for weekday specials: Many venues offer discounts for weddings held on weekdays.

Keeping Your Guest List Intimate

The number of guests you invite will have a big impact on your wedding budget. The fewer guests you have, the less you will spend on food, drinks, and invitations. (Sit down and write out your guest list with your partner ASAP, you have more guests than you think!!!)

Resource: Here is a free downloadable Wedding Guest List Decision Map to help with some of those hard decisions.

Step 1: Make a Preliminary Guest List

Start with a core group: Begin by listing your closest family and friends.
Consider your budget: Based on your budget, determine an approximate guest count.
- Example: If your per-guest cost is around $50-$75, and your budget is $5,000, you can comfortably accommodate 67-100 guests.
Be realistic: Don’t feel obligated to invite everyone you know. (Often saying NO to inviting certain people will make your wedding SO much more enjoyable… You know exactly who I’m talking about)

Step 2: Utilize Guest List Management Tools (Optional but highly useful)

Use online tools: Utilize online tools or wedding planning software to track your guest list and send out invitations.
- Examples:
  - Google Sheets/Excel: A simple and free option for creating and managing your guest list.
  - WeddingWire: Offers a variety of tools, including guest list management and RSVP tracking.
  - The Knot: Provides comprehensive wedding planning tools, including guest list management and communication features.

DIY Wedding Decorations and Favors

There are many ways to save money on wedding decorations and favors by doing it yourself (DIY). For Example:

Invitations & Save-the-Dates
Centerpieces (flowers, candles, lanterns)
Table Runners & Napkins (fabric, DIY rings)
Photo Booth Props
Favors (cookies, jams, succulents)
Mason Jar Decor
Burlap & Lace Accents
Chalkboard Signs
Paper Lanterns
Personalized Signs

Step 1: Gather Supplies

Visit local craft stores: Purchase affordable supplies like fabric, flowers, ribbons, and other decorative items.
Utilize natural elements: Incorporate natural elements like flowers, greenery, and candles into your decorations.

Step 2: Find Inspiration

Browse online resources: Search for DIY wedding inspiration on websites like Pinterest, Instagram, and blogs.
Attend DIY workshops: Take a DIY workshop to learn new skills and get creative ideas.

Step 3: Enlist Help

Ask for assistance: Ask friends and family members to help you with DIY projects.
- Examples:
  - Have a friend who loves to bake? Ask them to help with cookies or cupcakes for favors.
  - Is your aunt a talented artist? Ask her to help create personalized table numbers.
Host a DIY party: Organize a DIY party to create decorations and favors with your loved ones.
- Example: Host a “flower crown making” party with your bridesmaids.

Finding Affordable Wedding Vendors

There are many talented wedding vendors in the DFW area who offer their services at affordable prices. Some of the vendors you may need to consider for your wedding are:

Venue: Ceremony & Reception (Some people choose to have one location for both, or two different locations)
Caterer
Photographer/Videographer/Content Creator
Florist
DJ/Band
Baker (Cake)
Wedding Officiant
Hair & Makeup Artist
Transportation (Limos, Party Buses)
Planner/Coordinator (Partial or Full Service)
Rental Company (Tables, Chairs, Linens)
Stationery Designer (Invitations, Save-the-Dates)

Step 1: Research Local Vendors

Search online directories: Utilize online directories and wedding planning websites to find local vendors. (e.g., WeddingWire, The Knot)
Get Referrals: Ask friends, family, and vendors for referrals. Often most vendors will have a list of preferred vendors they like to work with. This helps with finding quality vendors that have a good growing reputation.
Read reviews: Read reviews from other couples to find reputable and affordable vendors.

Step 2: Request Quotes

Contact multiple vendors: Request quotes from at least three different vendors for each service (photographer, DJ, florist, etc.).
Compare prices and services: Compare prices and services carefully to find the best value. Remember, it’s not all about the money, it’s about the quality of service you’re receiving for your investment. Be smart, don’t go broke, but don’t be cheap either. (Bad service isn’t worth the headache no matter how cheap it is)

Step 3: Negotiate and Bargain

Be upfront about your budget: Let vendors know your budget upfront.
Inquire about discounts: Ask about any available discounts or package deals.
- Tips:
  - Inquire about off-season discounts or weekday specials.
  - Ask if they offer any “micro-wedding” packages for smaller weddings.
  - Consider booking multiple services from the same vendor for a potential discount.
Be flexible with your wedding date and time: Consider weekdays or off-season dates to negotiate better prices.

Our Real-Life Wedding Budget Example

Here is a real-life wedding budget example from our wedding that we put together on a very tight budget on a timeline of 2 and a half months.

Example 1: Tyler and Jessica
- Budget: $5,000
- Key Strategies:
  - Dates: Chose the end of November. Due to the holidays, this was an off season, prices were lower and there was less competition for dates. (Also, due to the holidays, a lot of our guests said they couldn’t come… this ended up saving us a lot of money in the end)
  - Venue: Got married at Azle Deer Cove
  - Decor: DIYed most of their decorations and favors. (Mason Jars, Fairy Lights, Cheese Cloth, cuttings from trees and plants around the venue… with the owners permission)
  - Catering: Used a referral from Azle Deer Cove
  - Day-Of Coordinator: Stacked services, the caterer (Daniela) was also an amazing wedding coordinator.
  - Photographer: One of Jessica’s Facebook friend was a professional photographer.
  - Cake: A co-worker offered to buy the cake as a wedding gift.
  - Officiant: Paid extra to get a good officiant, Ryan Huff (Worth it)

Conclusion

Planning a wedding on a budget can be challenging, but it is definitely possible. By following the step-by-step tips in this post, you can save money on your wedding without sacrificing style or quality. With careful planning and creativity, you can have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank.

Congratulations again on your engagement! We hope this post has helped you get started with.

If you have more questions about planning your wedding, finding vendors, or you just have some general questions, you can email me at

Tyler@tjweddingservices.com

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