A thrifty couple who spent less than $9,000 on their wedding have revealed the savvy budgeting tips for others who don't want to splash the cash.
Mykaela Chaffin, 25, and her now-husband Dallas, 27, tied the knot on March 22 in front of 56 guests.
The pair from Wisconsin had a budget of $10,000 USD ($15,657 AUD) for both their rural wedding and honeymoon to Japan - and managed to significantly reduce spending by excluding common wedding traditions.
'When I first began planning, I had a lot of activities and items listed just because I had always seen other people include them in their wedding,' Mykaela told FEMAIL.
'But for some things, they just became another item on my to-do list that I wasn't really excited about.'
So the couple decided to cut out the DJ, bar and bartender, videographer, hair and makeup artists, and didn't hire a wedding planner.
Mykaela bought her wedding dress off Facebook Marketplace for a mere $96 USD ($150 AUD) and she made certain items herself, including wreaths, signs, dehydrate citrus and name plates for the tables.
While they did have a bridal party of ten people, those involved were able to choose their outfits and had few tasks.
The pair from Wisconsin reduced costs by excluding common wedding traditions, items and services. For instance, they didn't have a DJ, bar and bartender, videographer, hair and makeup artists, and didn't hire a wedding planner.
'For us, we had very simple priorities for the wedding day: eat cake, get married, and spend time with friends and family,' Mykaela said.
Soon after getting engaged, the couple realised how much a big wedding was going to cost them, so they focused on what mattered to them most.
'For us, we had very simple priorities for the wedding day: eat cake, get married, and spend time with friends and family,' Mykaela said.
'We couldn't justify spending over $10,000 USD on something as simple as that. Our other priority as travel lovers was to use the money we saved on the wedding to honeymoon for two weeks in Japan.'
The couple used Zola's budget tracker to visually see where they were allocating the funds.
For Mykaela and Dallas, their most expensive costs were the decor, florals, accessories and outfit alterations.
The first thing they did was book the venue 18 months in advance and opted for the Ashland Train Depot in Ashland, Kentucky.
In Australia the average wedding is said to cost $35,000, with the biggest expenses being the venue and catering.
Thankfully for the couple, Mykaela's father co-owns the business Smoker's Wild BBQ and agreed to cater for the wedding.
Guests were served two briskets, one pork shoulder, Hawaiian chicken, mac and cheese, beans, and coleslaw. Mykaela also prepared a vegetarian lasagne and they supplied their own booze.
Rather than flowers for table centrepieces, they opted for cupcakes and the wedding cake chosen by Dallas.
In Australia the average wedding is said to cost $35,000, with the biggest expenses being the venue and catering. For Mykaela and Dallas, their most expensive costs were the decor, florals, accessories and outfit alterations.
HOW MUCH DID EVERYTHING COST?
- Venue: $875 USD ($1370 AUD)
- Photographer: $500 USD (4 hours) ($780 AUD)
- Caterer: Free (Bride's father owns BBQ catering business)
- Hair & Makeup: Free (Did my own)
- Nails: $75 USD ($117 AUD)
- Worker to help clean and fill drinks: $170 USD ($266 AUD)
- Cake & Cupcakes: $381 USD for 10' cake and 6 dozen cupcakes ($596 AUD)
- Alcohol and beverages: $307 USD (Beer, box wine, sparkling wine, sodas, tea) ($480)
- Officiant: Free (family member)
- Wedding License: $56 USD ($87 AUD)
- Save the dates/Invitations/Thank you cards made on Canva: $105 USD ($164 AUD)
- Wedding Dress/Groom's Suit: $96 USD (Dress from Facebook Marketplace and suit inherited) ($150 AUD)
- Dress and Suit Alterations: $621 USD ($972 AUD)
- Dry Cleaning: $204 USD ($319 AUD)
- Accessories (shoes, veil, rings, etc): $957 USD ($1498 AUD)
- Hotel: $129 USD (for 1 room. Other rooms were gifted from family) ($201 AUD)
- 6 Bridesmaid Boxes: $111 USD ($173 AUD)
- Florals: $662 USD ($1036 AUD)
- Decor: $646 USD ($1011 AUD)
- DJ: Free (Spotify playlist that friend controlled through speakers)
As for the secondhand wedding dress, Mykaela originally budgeted to spend $1,000 USD ($1,565 AUD) but found the perfect dress while scrolling through Facebook Marketplace.
'I never buy clothes online but decided to take a chance. I’m so glad I did because I ended up loving it,' she said.
'As for alterations, my dress needed the bust and arms brought in as well as some minor changes, which cost $422 ($660 AUD). Dry cleaning was $184.63 ($289 AUD).'
The ceremony and reception were located at the same venue and on the night one of the bridesmaids was in charge of the music via Spotify.
HOW TO KEEP WEDDING COSTS LOW
To source affordable items and services, Mykaela scoured through groups and pages on Facebook.
'I found my photographer at a low price because I posted on a Facebook group for weddings in my state. I included my budget, aesthetic, and day-of details,' she said.
'I had over 100 photographers reply, and this one gave me a discount since the venue was on her bucket list.'
In the 12 months leading up to the big day she bought secondhand items and printed invitations from Canva.
Dallas was in charge of the cake and opted for a 10" matcha cake with jasmine buttercream.
'Florals were done by my friend and her students for her floral arrangement class at a high school. Costco has great prices for drinks and bulk items, and we did board games instead of dancing.'
Mykaela added how if plan ahead you'll be able to compare prices and get the best rate.
After all the planning the day turned out perfect and the couple couldn't be happier.
To inspire and help other engaged couples, Mykaela shared the details on Reddit and instantly impressed thousands.
'Wow! Your pictures are beautiful! Giving cottage core. Congratulations,' one wrote.
'This is so well done. Best I've seen,' another said.
'Beautiful wedding and you look gorgeous too! I'm glad your wedding was a success and all your hard work really shows,' a third added.