9 Super Smart Ways to Cut Ceremony Costs

You already know that weddings can be really pricey — and we get that you want to make yours as cost-effective as possible. One great place to save? Your ceremony! Between picking the right location and keeping things simple, you can make sure your wedding ceremony doesn't break the bank.

Choose a free or low-cost location. Believe it or not, that doesn’t leave you with limited options. Some public parks or city-owned buildings will let you host a wedding ceremony for free  — score! Many religious establishments will host your ceremony for a small donation. Or, why not get married in your backyard? 

Pick an already pretty spot. If you choose a blank space without many bells and whistles, you might feel the need to bring in lots of decor to spruce it up. Instead, pick a location that’s gorgeous as-is — you’ll be able to spend less on extra decorations. 

Ask a friend to be your officiant. Save yourself a little cash by asking a friend to perform your wedding ceremony. Ordination is typically free, just keep in mind, you may need to pay a small fee for the proper paperwork. 

Avoid renting chairs at all costs. If you’re tying the knot in a place of worship, this one is covered. But if you’re planning an outdoor wedding or a ceremony at an out-of-the-box location, chances are there won’t be seating available. And chair rentals add up. Either pick a ceremony venue where seating is included, or consider having a short standing ceremony. 

Reuse flowers and decor. The flowers flanking each row of chairs? They can double as centerpieces The backdrop for your altar can be repurposed as the backdrop for your photo booth. Get creative!

Skip printed programs. Stationery costs can get high, fast. Instead of printing 100+ programs that will likely get thrown away, create a program sign with all the same information. Display it at the front of the ceremony space — it doubles as decor! 

Keep it short. Some ceremony spaces charge by the hour, so the quicker the ceremony, the less you’ll spend. That said, don’t rush your ceremony either — after all, it’s a special moment that you’ll want to remember! Just minimize the number of readings, songs, and rituals you choose. 

Host it during the day. Nighttime weddings can definitely be romantic, but they also require lighting equipment. A sunny afternoon won’t need any. 

Be smart about sound. There’s no right answer when it comes to acoustics — it completely depends on your venue. If you’re outside, you might need a microphone to say your vows, which means you’re renting an entire audio system. That’s OK — just don’t also hire a string quartet to play. But if you’re in a small space and don’t need to rent audio equipment, hiring a musician will be more cost-effective.