Planning a Budget Wedding - Affordable Wedding Decor Tips that Won't Break the Bank

Weddings can be expensive, and they’re getting more and more expensive every year. The average cost of a wedding in 2023 was a whopping $35,000, which is $5,000 more than the previous year.

But weddings don’t have to cost that much. You can still have a memorable, meaningful wedding for much less. It can still look just as beautiful as a more expensive wedding too.

It doesn’t matter if you’re searching for affordable wedding décor because you don’t have a lot of money to spend or because you’d rather spend the money you do have on something else, like your honeymoon or a downpayment on a house. We’ve got the perfect wedding decoration ideas when you’re on a budget.

First, let’s break things down by what you have to spend. Then, we’ll share some general tips for finding affordable wedding decorations that look expensive—but aren’t.

Wedding Decoration Ideas by Budget

When you’re looking for affordable wedding décor, it’s important to start with your actual budget.

Although the breakdown is a little different for every couple, a good starting point is to allocate 10% of your budget to flowers and another 10% to décor. That means, potentially, you can expect to spend 20% of your overall budget on decorations. It’s a good rule to follow if you have a lot of money to spend on your wedding, or if you’re looking for wedding decoration ideas on a budget.

Here’s what that might look like based on three wedding budgets.

Simple Reception Table With a Potted White Orchid: Marry Me Tampa Bay

Wedding Budget: $10,000
Flowers and décor: $2,000

With $2,000 to spend on flowers and affordable wedding décor, you have enough wiggle room to splurge a little bit on one thing you really want. For example, maybe you really want to decorate tables with orchids, which can be a little pricey. You could use a single stem of orchids, or you could use a single stem in larger floral arrangements that contain affordable flowers, like carnations.

Or you might decide you want to go above and beyond the plain white tableware that is offered by your venue. You might choose something a bit more classy, like vintage lace charger plates.

The key with this budget is to focus on one thing you really love and splurge a little. Then, you can choose more affordable wedding décor for less impactful details.

Long Reception Table With Candles and White Roses in Hurricane Vases: Pretty Please Design

Wedding Budget: $5,000
Flowers and décor: $1,000

When you have an overall wedding budget of $5,000, you can expect to have about $1,000 to spend on your flowers and decorations. Buying in bulk can really be a lifesaver.

For example, maybe you have your heart set on surrounding yourself in sparkling candlelight. Consider purchasing tall, clear candle holders that can also double as flower vases. That way, you can buy them in bulk and save. For example, when you shop at Koyal Wholesale, you can save an extra 5% and get free shipping if you spend at least $150 on affordable wedding décor.

Fireplace Decorated With White Balloons and Greenery: The Nook Salon

Wedding Budget: $1,000
Flowers and décor: $200

Looking for wedding decoration ideas on a budget is taken to the extreme when you only have around $200 to spend on flowers and décor, but it can be done!

The most affordable wedding décor of all is décor that doesn’t cost anything at all. If you have a home garden or you have a friend or family member with a home garden, consider picking flowers for your bouquet and reception tables. Branches can be gathered for free, and they can have a big visual impact when combined with other details, like bunny tails.

You might also avoid shopping for décor that is branded for weddings, as general party décor is often much more affordable. A balloon garland can be quite stunning! Because ballons are traditionally for birthday parties and not weddings, they tend to cost less. You can make it look more bridal by incorporating a few flowers or sprigs of greenery.

Bride and Groom Standing Under a Tree Decorated With Paper Lanterns and Ribbon: Weddingomania

Affordable Wedding Décor That Looks Expensive

It’s always a good idea to look for affordable wedding décor, no matter what your budget. The trick is to find cheap decorations that don’t look cheap. You want to get décor that looks expensive but isn’t.

A few of our favorite wedding decoration ideas on a budget that look expensive include:

Paper lanterns come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. Because they are made of paper, they are extremely affordable, but they can create an upscale ambiance at your wedding.

A decorative charger plate can elevate place settings at your reception, but they can be expensive. That is, unless you choose  acrylic charger plates! They give you the same look as fancy glass charger plates for a lot less.

Flowers can be expensive. If you’ve got a smaller budget, decorating with greenery is a great option when it comes to affordable wedding décor. Succulents can be an inexpensive way to decorate, as can using potted plants. Plus, they can be reused or sold after your wedding.

Look for small-scale décor with a big impact. For example, you can buy an assortment of affordable bud vases that look stunning on reception tables. Each one can hold a single bloom, which can help you save on your flower budget.

Hurricane Vase Filled With Lemon Slices on a Striped Tablecloth: On Sutton Place

Cheap-Looking Wedding Décor to Avoid

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of affordable wedding décor out there that may be cheap, but it also looks cheap, which is definitely what you don’t want.

First, be careful what you DIY. Only choose things to make that you’re skilled at or have the time and patience to learn. For example, paper flowers can look lovely, but they can also look childish and sloppy if you aren’t careful.

A few other decorations to avoid include:

Christmas-style string lights: This style of light only really looks good if you can use them in bulk, which isn’t an option if you’re on a budget. If you want to highlight the head table or hang a few lights from a tree, use fairy lights or canopy-style string lights instead.

Mason jars and burlap: Skip the overdone mason jars and try affordable wood vases instead. Use plaid fabric instead of burlap if you’re going for that shabby chic look, or dress things up with velvet ribbon to make simple centerpieces more interesting.

Vase filler: Think water beads and acrylic gems. They are cheap, and they look cheap. Add something more interesting to your vases instead. Driftwood pieces can look quite stunning at a rustic or outdoor wedding, while lining vases with sliced fruit is perfect for a summer celebration.

There is plenty of affordable wedding décor out there that is not only cheap, but it looks great too! Shop at Koyal Wholesale for wedding decoration ideas on a budget. From vases to candle holders and linens to dried naturals, we’ve got a wide range of décor, no matter how much money you have to spend!