Save on Your Wedding Budget: 15 Practical Tips

How much does a wedding cost? In Germany, the average wedding comes in at around 15,000€ according to current statistics - and many couples end up spending 20-30% more than they originally planned. With the right strategies, you can avoid that trap: you can get married on a budget and still celebrate beautifully - saving several thousand euros along the way.

In this article, we'll show you 15 concrete money-saving tips that can realistically save you 5,000€ or more - without your wedding looking "cheap" or you having to give up the things that matter.

Full disclosure: One of the tips is about our digital photo wall as a budget-friendly alternative to a classic photo booth. The other 14 tips are completely product-independent and work for any wedding - including a wedding on a small budget.

A note on the numbers: the figures below reflect typical prices in Germany. Exact prices vary by region and country, but the savings logic works everywhere.

Where You Can Save the Most: The Overview

Before we dive into the details, here's an overview of where the biggest savings potential lies:

The biggest levers are catering (33%), decoration (53%) and entertainment (50%). That's exactly where our first tips come in.

Quick navigation - jump straight to:

Venue & Catering · Decoration · Photography · Entertainment · Stationery · Outfits · Rings & Extras · Sample Budget · FAQ

The 15 Money-Saving Tips in Detail

💒 VENUE & CATERING

1. Be Flexible About Your Venue

The venue is often one of the biggest cost items. A typical wedding venue on a Saturday in peak season (May-September) costs between 2,000€ and 4,000€. But with a bit of flexibility, you can save massively here.

How to save on the venue:

Get married on a weekday: Many venues offer 30-40% discounts Monday through Thursday. A venue that costs 3,500€ on a Saturday might be available for 2,000€ on a Wednesday.

Use the off-season: November to March is often 30% cheaper than the summer months. Yes, the weather is less predictable - but indoor venues work all year round.

Alternative venues: Hotels are lovely, but expensive. Also consider:

• Community halls or club houses (often 500-1,000€)
• Barns and country estates (rustic charm, 800-1,500€)
• Restaurants with a private room (often just a minimum spend, no room fee)
• A parent's garden (in good weather, you only need to rent a tent)

Self-catering allowed? Venues that allow external caterers or self-catering are often cheaper than all-inclusive packages.

Sample calculation:

• Saturday in July (hotel with full service): 3,500€
• Friday in February (barn with external catering): 1,200€
• Savings: 2,300€

Important: Check the extra costs! In winter you'll pay for heating, and outdoors you'll need a tent in case of rain. Factor that in.

2. Take an Honest Look at Your Guest List

Each guest costs an average of 100-150€ in total (catering, drinks, invitation, favor, space). The guest list is a huge lever.

Try this exercise: split your guest list into three categories:

1. Must-invite: Family, closest friends (e.g. 50 people)
2. Could-invite: Extended family, coworkers (e.g. 30 people)
3. Nice-to-have: Distant acquaintances (e.g. 20 people)

If you go from 100 down to 80 guests, at 120€ per guest you save around 2,400€. From 100 down to 60 guests? That's 4,800€ in savings.

Honest question: Who haven't you seen or spoken to in the past year? These people don't necessarily need an invitation. It's your day - not an obligation event for distant relatives.

Alternative idea: "Ceremony small, party big" - just your closest circle (20-30 people) at the ceremony and dinner, then a big party later with more guests (standing reception with finger food instead of a seated dinner).

3. Buffet Instead of a Three-Course Menu

A plated three-course menu costs between 70€ and 90€ per person. A buffet comes in at 40-60€. With 80 guests, that's a difference of 2,400€.

Cost comparison per person:

• Plated three-course menu: 70-90€
• Buffet: 40-60€
• Food trucks (BBQ, pizza, burgers): 25-40€

More advantages of a buffet:

• More flexible for different diets (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free)
• No serving staff needed (saves another 300-500€)
• Guests can choose for themselves and go back for seconds
• Relaxed atmosphere

Trendy tip: Food trucks! A BBQ, pizza or burger truck is hugely popular right now, feels casual and modern - and is often cheaper than classic catering.

4. Buy Your Own Drinks

Many venues and caterers offer drinks packages for 25-35€ per person. With 80 guests, that's 2,000-2,800€.

The DIY option: If your venue allows you to supply your own drinks, buy them yourself:

• Beer, wine and soft drinks from a wholesale or beverage store: 8-12€ per person
• Set up your own bar (assign one or two friends as bartenders)
• Rule of thumb: 1 bottle of wine per 2-3 people, 3-4 beers per person, 2 bottles of soft drinks per person

Savings with 80 guests: 1,200-1,600€

Important: Check your venue contract! Some venues don't allow outside drinks or charge a "corkage fee" (10-15€ per bottle of wine). In that case, it's not worth it.

Practical tip: Many beverage retailers take back unopened bottles - check before you buy. If yours does, buy a bit more than you need and return the rest after the wedding.

🎨 DECORATION & ATMOSPHERE

5. DIY Decoration with Pinterest & Co.

A professional florist or wedding decorator can quickly cost 1,000-2,000€. DIY decoration can be done for 200-500€.

Budget decor ideas that still look elegant:

• String lights (IKEA, 5-8€ each) - warm light for next to nothing
• Vases with flowers from a wholesale flower market instead of a florist (50% cheaper)
• Candles of different heights on the tables
• Dried flowers (long-lasting, reusable, very much on trend)
• A polaroid wall as a guest book (DIY, and fun too)

Inspiration on Pinterest: Search for "budget wedding decoration", "DIY centerpieces", "simple wedding decor". Simple decor often looks surprisingly good.

Money-saving tip: Host a craft night with your bridesmaids or groomsmen. Free labor, quality time together, and it's fun!

Savings: 1,200€

📸 PHOTOGRAPHY & MEMORIES

6. Book Your Photographer Smartly (But Don't Skip One!)

Let's be clear: don't cut corners on your main photographer! The photos are the one thing that stays with you long after your big day. A professional wedding photographer matters.

BUT: there are still ways to save.

Classic full-day wedding photographer: 1,500-3,000€ (10-12 hours)

Savings strategies:

Half-day package: Book only the ceremony + couple shoot + cake cutting (4-6 hours instead of 10-12). That costs 800-1,200€. The evening party photos can come from your guests (or be collected via a photo wall - more on that in a moment).

Up-and-coming photographers: Photographers building their portfolio are often 40-50% cheaper and still great. Study their portfolio carefully!

Grant usage rights: Many photographers offer discounts (10-20%) if they're allowed to use your wedding photos for marketing (website, Instagram, portfolio). If you don't mind, actively ask for this deal.

Video can be optional: Many couples book an additional videographer for 800-1,500€. Be honest with yourselves: will you actually rewatch the video? Photos, yes - but video?

Savings: 500-1,000€ (through a shorter package or a more affordable photographer)

7. Digital Photo Wall Instead of a Classic Photo Booth

Full transparency: this is our product, but the numbers speak for themselves.

Renting a classic photo booth costs 200-650€ (depending on provider and package). As an affordable photo booth alternative, a digital photo wall like ours costs 39€ (Sprint package).

The difference:

Sample calculation:

• Photo booth rental incl. props and delivery: 400-500€
• Photo wall Sprint package: 39€
• Savings: 361-461€

How does it work?

1. Create your event (takes 3 minutes online)
2. Print the QR code and place it on the tables
3. Optional: set up a projector or TV to show uploads live (often available at venues)
4. Guests scan the QR code, upload photos - done

Important: A photo wall does NOT replace your photographer! It's a complement that shows you your guests' perspective. The photographer takes the professional pictures; the photo wall collects the spontaneous moments.

Bonus: Unlike a photo booth, you can also upload pre-event pictures (e.g. from getting ready), and the photo wall can collect video greetings.

Create your event now

🎵 ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC

8. DJ vs. Playlist - The Hybrid Solution

A wedding DJ for the whole evening costs 600-1,200€. That's a lot of money, but good music and a great vibe matter.

Budget alternatives:

Spotify Premium + good speakers: Completely free (if you already own the equipment). You build a playlist, someone presses play. Sounds simple - but it only works if your playlists are genuinely well thought out and someone keeps an eye on the transitions.

DJ for prime time only: Book a DJ just for the main party (9 pm to 1 am, 3-4 hours) instead of the whole day. Cost: 300-500€ instead of 900€. A playlist covers the ceremony and dinner.

A friend as DJ: If you know someone who can genuinely play good music - ask! But: have a backup plan (playlist) in case something goes wrong.

Our recommendation - the hybrid solution:

• Ceremony + dinner: Spotify playlist (calm background music)
• Party from 9 pm: professional DJ for 3-4 hours
• Cost: 400€ instead of 900€
• Savings: 500€

💌 STATIONERY & INVITATIONS

9. Digital Invitations + Print-on-Demand

Specialized wedding stationers can easily charge 300-600€ for invitations, menu cards and place cards.

Budget alternatives:

Save-the-date: Send your save-the-date digitally via email or WhatsApp. Costs nothing and is eco-friendly. The official invitation follows later by mail.

Online print services: General online printing services are significantly cheaper than specialized wedding stationers. Invitations for 80 guests: 80-150€ instead of 300€.

Menu cards: Create a template with Canva (free) and print it at home or at a local print shop. Cost: around 20€ for paper and printing.

Place cards: Handwritten on nice card stock feels more personal than printed - and costs next to nothing.

Savings: 250-350€

10. Wedding Cake from a Bakery Instead of a Cake Designer

Wedding cake designers are artists - and charge accordingly: 400-800€ for a multi-tier cake.

Budget alternative: Go to your local bakery. Many bakeries also make wedding cakes for 150-300€. They might not look like a Pinterest masterpiece, but they taste just as good.

Decor tip: Have a simple cake decorated with fresh flowers (instead of elaborate fondant artwork). Looks elegant, costs less.

Alternative: A cupcake tower instead of a classic cake. 100 cupcakes at 2€ each = 200€. Looks modern, and guests can help themselves.

Savings: 250-400€

👗 OUTFITS & STYLING

11. Second-Hand Wedding Dress

A new wedding dress costs between 1,000€ and 2,500€. Most brides wear it exactly once.

Second-hand options:

Online second-hand marketplaces, dedicated pre-loved wedding dress platforms and Facebook groups offer used wedding dresses for 300-800€. The dresses are often as good as new, because they were only worn once.

Alternative: Rent a wedding dress (150-400€). Rental services and local bridal shops offer this.

Savings: 700-1,500€

Important: Budget for alterations! A pre-owned dress often needs adjusting (+100-200€). It's still cheaper than buying new.

12. Rent the Suit Instead of Buying

A new wedding suit costs 400-800€. Most men rarely wear it afterwards.

Alternative: Rent a suit for 80-150€. Suit rental services and local menswear shops offer this.

Bonus: The best man and maid of honor can rent too - then the wedding party looks more coordinated.

Savings: 250-600€

💍 RINGS & EXTRAS

13. Buy Wedding Rings Online

Wedding rings from a jeweler often cost 1,500-3,000€ for both rings. Online jewelers and marketplaces like Etsy offer comparable quality for 500-1,200€.

Important when buying online:

• Check certificates (gold hallmark, authenticity)
• Return policy (in case the size doesn't fit)
• Read reviews

Alternative (sentimental value): If you have heirlooms in the family (grandma's ring), have them reset or resized. It costs 200-400€ at a goldsmith and carries real emotional meaning.

Savings: 800-1,500€

14. Honeymoon in the Off-Season

A two-week honeymoon in peak season (July/August) can easily cost 3,000-5,000€. In the off-season (October, November, March), the same destinations are 30-40% cheaper.

Alternative: The "minimoon" - just 4-5 days right after the wedding (e.g. a weekend in the mountains or at the seaside). Take the big trip later, once you've recovered and maybe have more budget available.

Minimoon advantage: Less stress, cheaper, and you're back home sooner to send thank-you cards and look through your photos.

Savings: 1,000-2,000€

15. Make Your Own Wedding Favors

Store-bought wedding favors cost 5-10€ per person. With 80 guests, that's 400-800€.

DIY ideas (1-3€ per person):

• Homemade jam in small jars (with personalized labels)
• Seed packets (e.g. wildflowers) - sustainable and symbolic ("let love grow")
• Small personalized candles (wax + wick + mold, easy to order online)
• Home-baked cookies in cellophane bags

Savings with 80 guests: 320-560€

💰 Sample Budget: A 10,000€ Wedding

What does a realistic 10,000€ wedding with 80 guests look like? Here's an example of how to make it work with our tips:

For comparison: The same wedding without these savings would cost around 17,000€. Savings: 7,000€ (41%)

⚠️ What You Should NOT Skimp On

For all the saving: there are things you shouldn't cut corners on.

Red lines:

Photographer: Save on the package length at most, never on quality - the details are in tip 6.

Food & drinks: Hungry or thirsty guests = bad mood. Don't cut the quantities too close.

Safety: If you have a DIY venue (garden, barn), take care of basics like a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and well-lit paths.

Insurance: Wedding insurance typically costs a couple of hundred euros (prices vary by country) and protects you if your photographer cancels, the weather ruins everything, or you have to call it off due to illness.

The 70-20-10 Budget Rule

A good rule of thumb for splitting your budget:

• 70% for must-haves (venue, food, photographer) - the basics that simply have to work
• 20% for nice-to-haves (decor, entertainment, flowers) - lovely, but not mission-critical
• 10% emergency reserve - always plan 10% extra. Something always goes wrong or ends up more expensive than expected

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Budget Weddings

Does a budget wedding look "cheap"?

No! A budget wedding means setting smart priorities. Your guests will remember the atmosphere, the good food and the love between you - not whether the decor cost 50€ or 500€.

How do I tell vendors my budget is limited?

Be honest! Say: "Our photography budget is 800€. Can you put together a package within that range?" Many vendors are more flexible than you'd think. Some offer smaller packages that aren't listed on their website.

Where do I find inspiration for budget weddings?

Pinterest is full of it: search for "budget wedding", "affordable wedding ideas", "DIY wedding decor". Instagram hashtags like #budgetwedding and #diywedding also show real examples.

Can I get married for 5,000€?

Yes! A wedding under 5,000€ is doable: with that budget, you can either celebrate a small wedding with 20-30 people at a restaurant, or throw a DIY garden party with 50 guests and self-catering. And a wedding under 10,000€ is possible even with 80 guests using the sample budget above - if you're willing to roll up your sleeves.

✨ Conclusion: Save Smart, Not Cheap

With the 15 tips in this article, you can realistically save 5,000-7,000€ - without your wedding feeling like a cost-cutting exercise. The trick: save on the things that don't matter to you, and invest in what's truly close to your heart.

Not every couple needs a multi-tier fondant cake, a 10-hour video or 150 guests. Figure out what matters to you - and save on the rest.

Want to save 400€+ on entertainment?

Start now with Event Photowall (Sprint: 39€ instead of 400-500€ for a classic photo booth rental). No hardware rental, lots of photos + videos.

Create your event now

More helpful pages:

• QR code for wedding photos: how your guests share pictures instantly
• Digital wedding guest book: all options compared
• Collect wedding photos from guests: 7 creative ideas

Published October 22, 2025 | Reading time: approx. 15 minutes | Category: Wedding