Average wedding costs have reached $35,000+ while some couples opting for smaller celebrations that cost under $30,000. Instead of opting for traditional ceremonies, many are choosing more intimate ceremonies instead.

Minimonys typically host no more than 10 guests according to The Knot’s online wedding marketplace. With only $3,000 budgeted for their minimony celebration, Acosta and Roberts had to get creative when planning it themselves: They used DIY techniques along with thrift shop finds for decor items sourcing. “We DIY’ed and thrift shopped everything,” according to Acosta. “My husband used his already existing dress shoes. For my dress and veil I thrifted fabric from thrift shops.” As such, cutting guest list made the wedding more manageable, she explained. Sam Roberts and Vanessa Acosta married on May 25.Micro weddings have increasingly become appealing; Vanessa Acosta poses together on a street corner in California courtesy of Vanessa Acosta for The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study as evidence. Accordingly, average ceremony and reception costs were estimated to have totalled $35,000 last year. Total wedding costs have seen an approximate $5K jump since 2022 according to research conducted by The Knot. Rising inflation was one of the primary drivers behind increased costs according to this poll which collected data on 9,318 US married couples between January 1 and December 2023. “To put it mildly,” noted Allison Cullman, wedding expert and Vice President of Brand Marketing & Strategy at Zola (an online wedding marketplace). In 2021 however, wedding numbers rebounded back up to 124 as people wanted socializing after experiencing lockdowns at work or school, she stated. “Due to how costly marriage has become today,” he suggested, the number of weddings may begin decreasing gradually. “To save money on your wedding, the easiest way is to reduce guest count,” advised McMurray. This strategy would enable couples to cut costs such as meals, invitations and favors depending on guest numbers; conversely “having a minimony or micro wedding allows couples to still celebrate without paying for 150 meals,” according to Cullman. A sign reading, “Welcome to Vanessa & Sam’s Wedding. Please join them today in celebrating!” can serve as an invitation. Vanessa Acosta states it was less stressful for a 50-ish guest wedding event as a taco stand was booked at $640 to accommodate almost 150 guests instead of shelling out roughly $90 per plate – with approximately ninety people eating tacos for just that price point! “Ninety times 150 isn’t bad at all!” said Acosta who booked it herself! “Instead, 90x 150 = $940.” “It was quite the change coming from nothing to being able to feed everyone with plenty of leftover food left over,” Acosta noted. To avoid future surprises and tension, Acosta advised engaged couples should set clear and realistic budgets at the outset, along with creating a list of priorities they wish to focus on together, said Cullman. Doing this will aid when making “difficult decisions to stay within budget”, she explained. “Couples should discuss what items they want included to make their wedding unique, authentic and enjoyable,” suggested Cullman. Confirming priorities will enable couples to “define where to focus their budget and find cost-cutting measures,” stated Lauren Kay from The Knot’s Executive Editorial team. It may require tradeoffs along the way; trade-offs could need to take place depending on individual priorities. Kay pointed out that usually the location requires most of your budget; food and beverage expenses depend on guest count. “Keeping this in mind can help allocate your finances appropriately while making important decisions regarding guest lists size,” according to her advice. Be flexible about when and where your ceremony will occur to reduce costs,” according to Cullman, as off-peak dates tend to be cheaper. Exploring upcycled and thrift store clothing usually won’t set you back hundreds of dollars,” and in that regard you could take the proverb “something borrowed” more literally by renting either your dress or flowers.” For additional insights from CNBC PRO check here.