Are you looking for budget friendly wedding venue ideas? If so, you’re in the right spot for creative, available, and affordable places to get married.
We all know that wedding venues can be crazy expensive. In fact, the more tried and true, the more a venue may cost. Wineries, golf courses, fancy gardens, the list of pricey venues can go on and on. And look, they cost money for good reason. These types of venues are set up for weddings. They have the staff, the space, and the experience that many couples are looking for.
However. . . you and your partner may be open to a more budget friendly wedding venue. And, maybe you’re not too worried about the aesthetics, setup, and space, for a variety of reasons. Perhaps, you just want something different. Or, you might have a tight budget, and want to stick to it. If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place.
8 Budget Friendly Wedding Venue Ideas
Today’s post has eight affordable, budget friendly wedding venue ideas that price conscious couples should explore. Each of them will have their drawbacks, but if you’re creative, have the right sized wedding, and the right attitude, them could work for you.
Let’s get into the ideas!
BUDGET FRIENDLY WEDDING VENUE #1: HOME OR BACKYARD
The first possible venue to explore is your own home. Or, a friend or family member’s home or backyard. Basically, this would be anywhere that someone you know owns, and has living spaces inside. Ideally, getting married there will help you avoid paying for the venue itself.
Getting married at home or a backyard does have some expenses. For example, you’ll likely pay for cleaning. There could be other costs like renting extra seating, and lighting. However, it should be much more affordable than a large wedding venue. If the home has a great outdoor area or garden, you can save on décor as well. With the right wedding, and the right home or backyard, there can be some big savings.
If you want to know more about hosting a backyard wedding, check out this post.
Estimated Venue Costs: $0 – $500 (for cleaning and extra set-up). Plus, you can also save on décor and travel expenses if you’re able to stay there or it’s close to where you live.
BUDGET FRIENDLY WEDDING VENUE #2: RESTAURANT
Getting married at a restaurant can have some huge perks. Most restaurants are set up to host large groups. They already have items like tables and chairs handy. And, you can find a restaurant that has great ambiance and décor. Plus, they can provide all the catering and drinks for your wedding.
If you rent a restaurant for your wedding, you may have a minimum amount to pay per guest, or a set menu for guests to choose from. Some restaurants will charge an additional fee for their space, but most of them will just have a required percentage that you’ll need to provide as tip.
Estimated Venue Costs: $0 – $1,000. Plus, you can also save on set-up, décor, servers, and bartenders.
BUDGET FRIENDLY WEDDING VENUE #3: PARK
Depending on where you live, there are parks everywhere. And, many of them have spots that you can reserve and use for your wedding.
Now, this could be a local park with large grassy lawns, or a state park with trees and forests around you. Typically, you’ll have to coordinate with the park’s department to book your spot and time, and leave a nominal deposit. They may have rules about what you can bring in, but these rules may work for you.
For example, I once went to a wedding at a state park in California. It was already set up with bathrooms and picnic tables. The couple brought in some chairs, an arbor, flowers, and food. They said it was super affordable and not that much extra work for them. And, it was beautiful.
Estimated Venue Costs: $50 – $300 (Including insurance). Plus, you can also save on décor.
BUDGET FRIENDLY WEDDING VENUE #4: BEACH
Now, depending on the beach, you may or not find this option budget-friendly. It also depends on the size of your wedding and what you need to set up beforehand. However, many people find that the right beach can be very affordable for their wedding.
You might ask why?
Well, getting married on the beach doesn’t require much décor. It’s already beautiful enough. And, you may even be able to skip chairs for your guests to sit on during your ceremony (though this depends on the guest). After you get married on the beach, you’ll then have the option to stay on the beach for your reception, or move onto another location.
Estimated Venue Costs: $200 – $500 (Including insurance). Depending on the situation, you can also save on décor.
BUDGET FRIENDLY WEDDING VENUE #5: COURTHOUSE
Getting married at a courthouse may be the most budget-friendly wedding venue option of them all. To do so, all you need to do is pay for your wedding license, and any other fees that your location may have (this varies).
After you get married at the courthouse, you’re free to celebrate wherever you want, with whomever you want. So, you can head back to a home, restaurant, park, or big wedding venue, depending on your style and budget.
Estimated Venue Costs: $30 – $150. Plus, you can also save on the big wedding in general. However, this depends on your plans for a reception.
BUDGET FRIENDLY WEDDING VENUE #6: AIR BNB RENTAL
This is similar to getting married at home, but not really. It’s getting married at someone else’s home, where you’ve rented out the space to do so.
Now, with this wedding venue, you will need to spend money on the rental space. And, depending on the size of your wedding, you may need to clear it with the owners of the property. However, if the Air BNB has a large outdoor space, and the property has been used for weddings before, this can be a great option. You’ll be able to combine your venue, and your accommodations, into one bill, and may even have other guests stay there and contribute to it as well.
Estimated Venue Costs: $300 and up (depends on Air BNB). Plus, you can also save on hotel accommodations for you and other guests.
BUDGET FRIENDLY WEDDING VENUE #7: LIBRARY / MUSEUM / AQUARIUM / THEATER
Rather than have a separate write up for each of these options, I’m going to lump them all into one big affordable venue description. Essentially, each of these options is a public space that may be near you, and available to rent out for a set amount of time.
Plus, each of these options will be memorable and beautiful in it’s own way.
The perks of renting a public space for your wedding? Well, you’ll be able to save on décor and entertainment. Think about it. If you get married at an aquarium, your guests will have lots to explore and entertain themselves with. The same goes for a museum. Many theaters and libraries are stunning, and don’t need added décor at all. Plus, many of these spaces can be rented at a fraction of what it will cost you to rent a “normal wedding venue”.
Estimated Venue Costs: $200 and up (depends on location and space). Plus, you can also save on entertainment and décor.
BUDGET FRIENDLY WEDDING VENUE #8: BOAT
When I say that getting married on a boat is an affordable wedding venue, I don’t mean any boat. I mean a small cruise ship or charter yacht.
Corporate events, birthday parties, and other celebrations take place on big boats. So, why can’t weddings? Often, the boat’s captain can double as an officiant. And, many large boats are set up to feed a group, along with tables, décor, and built-in wow-factors.
Estimated Venue Costs: $500 and up (depends on the overall package, some may be much more but include all food, drinks, set up, service, etc). Plus, you can also save on other items depending on the situation.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Long story short. If you want to get married at a budget friendly wedding venue, you should. Think outside the box. Be okay with being a bit different. Explore various locations, and ask questions if a place feels right. There’s no rule that says you have to get married a tried-and-true wedding venue. There can be big savings if you explore alternative options. Happy wedding planning!
More From Hummingbird Wedding Advice
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