We’ve all heard it time and time again – the average cost of a wedding is around $30,000.
I’ve been part of the wedding industry for years as an elopement and small wedding photographer, and in that time, I’ve noticed that so many of us hold wild misconceptions about weddings, our wedding budgets, and what the real cost of a wedding (of any size) truly is.
Every wedding, every couple, and every detail they prioritize are bound to be different. All of these factors make it hard to guesstimate or assume what your vision of a dream wedding might actually cost.
That’s why I’m committed to providing you with answers – to give you a real-life look at what actual small weddings cost.
In this blog, I’m sharing three real-life examples of couples’ weddings and the costs of everything included to give you a true look at what a small wedding can look and feel like with your budget in mind.
Why am I sharing this blog? Why am I sharing numbers, data, and breakdowns like this? Because people out there are curious – they’re asking, “What does a small wedding really cost?”
And I think it’s important – more important than ever, in fact – to give them an honest answer.
I believe that transparency matters.
The more real cost breakdowns that engaged couples see, the better. Because at the end of the day, real-life, concrete examples can help show you what’s truly possible.
With information and data like this, you can better prepare, budget, and launch into wedding planning knowing what you want without worrying about the shock or disappointment associated with a giant question mark.
That $20k, $30k, even $50k you’ve saved? It can stretch so much further when you’re not dropping a chunk of it on a large guest list of 150 people.
This guide is for the couples who want to prioritize things they care most about—breathtaking destinations, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and the kind of wedding that makes you think, I can’t believe this is real.
The point? This is to show you that a smaller guest list can give you the freedom to go bigger where it actually matters to you.
When you decide to whittle down your list to a smaller, intentional number, you can allocate your budget to the experiences, dreamy vendors, gorgeous venues, the look, and feel that you’ve always envisioned.
In this article:
- What Does a Small Wedding Cost? Three Breakdowns From Three Real Small Weddings
- Sina + Kyle’s North Cascades Small Wedding
- Rachel + Jacob’s Oregon Coast Small Wedding
- Zoé + Jacob’s Orcas Island Small Wedding
- Your Wedding Day – & Your Wedding Budget – Your Way
What Does a Small Wedding Cost? Three Breakdowns From Three Real Small Weddings
A note before we kick off into these examples of what a small wedding really costs: I just want to thank the couples and vendors who gave me permission to share these costs. I’ll provide details about location and year to help provide better context for each small wedding.
We live in a world where costs are rising. Expenses are climbing, venues are charging $300 a guest, and the wedding industry generates billions ($284.87 billion in 2024) every year.
I don’t share those numbers with you to scare you away from allocating your budget on your dream wedding – I share those numbers with you to equip you with knowledge so you can choose what matters most to you for your wedding, then invest in that with a full heart.
Sometimes, couples see how much money a large wedding costs and gasp.
You assume that, to cut costs, you have to sacrifice the things that matter to you – maybe you don’t hire the vendors you’ve had your eyes on, the food becomes a more accessible buffet, and the hall has to be a little less dreamy and a little more functional.
In reality, trimming the guest list and opening your hearts and minds to a small wedding could be the ultimate game-changer.
Imagine not having to compromise on experience, location, attire, lodging – anything.
Instead, you simply trim the guest list. You opt for a smaller, more intimate wedding and stretch your dollars in the direction you actually want them to stretch.
But don’t just take my word for it. Take a look at these real-life examples from three of my couples and their vendors.
Sina + Kyle’s North Cascades Small Wedding | July 2024
Total Wedding Cost: Approximately $31,000
This budget does not include things like a rental car, honeymoon extension, additional decor items, wedding bands, etc. The total has been rounded up to account for some of these costs.
Sina & Kyle’s small mountain wedding in the beautiful North Cascades was truly incredible. It was peaceful, joyful, and inspiring.
They were left in awe at Mother Nature’s sunrise, took time to celebrate themselves, and spent valuable time with the loved ones they intentionally invited to their small wedding.
They prioritized the things that mattered most to them:
- Photography to capture the entirety of their day
- Luxurious food for themselves and their loved ones – a catered picnic brunch and a 5-course family-style dinner and dessert
- The experience in the location they’d dreamed of alongside lodging and their ideal reception venue
Here’s a breakdown of what their real small wedding cost:
| COST | CATEGORY | VENDOR / PROVIDER |
| $12,200 | Photography & Planning | Come to Bliss |
| $9,228 | Catering (Includes all food costs, labor costs, set up + rentals, travel fees, and taxes) | Miere Catering |
| $2,750 | Couple’s Private Lodging | 4 nights at this Airbnb |
| $2,560 | Reception Venue / Lodging for some guests | 4 nights at this Airbnb |
| $1,150 | Groom’s Suit | Hockerty + TopoTie |
| $1,000 | Bride’s Dress | BHLDN |
| $950 | HMUA | Anne Tims |
| $800 | Couple’s Roundtrip Airfare | New York City to Seattle |
| $300 | Alcohol | Case of Vueve Clicquot |
| $395 | Bouquet + Boutonniere | Tangled Root Floral |
| $82 | Bride’s Wedding Perfume | L’Occitane Verbena Brasil |
| $69 | Marriage License | Washington |
| $35 | Vow Books | Etsy |
| $0 | Ceremony Venue | National Forest land |
| $0 | Bride’s Jewelry | Gift from parents |
| $0 | Boots + Backpacks | Couple already owned |
| $0 | Officiant | Groom’s brother |
Rachel + Jacob’s Oregon Coast Small Wedding | July 2024
Total Wedding Cost: Approximately $21,800
This budget does not include things like a rental car, honeymoon extension, additional decor items, wedding bands, etc. The total has been rounded up to account for some of these costs.
R + J’s elopement day was a perfect blend of intimacy and natural beauty. They exchanged vows in a serene Redwood grove before heading to Crook Point on the Oregon Coast for a private picnic. After enjoying a quiet moment together, they dined on short rib ragu and explored the stunning property.
As sunset bathed the sky in pastel colors, they embraced the peaceful surroundings, playing in the waves, skipping rocks, and soaking in breathtaking ocean views. It was a day filled with intention, calm, and the kind of beauty that takes your breath away.
They prioritized the things that mattered most to them:
- Travel to a beautiful place and stay at their top choice of lodging
- Enjoying truly delicious food
- Photography coverage that captured their entire event
Here’s a breakdown of what their real small wedding cost:
| COST | CATEGORY | VENDOR / PROVIDER |
| $11,400 | Photography + Planning | Come to Bliss |
| $3,500 | Bride’s Dress | Grace Loves Lace |
| $2,105 | Private Chef Dinner | Miere Catering |
| $1,500 | HMUA | Whit Marie |
| $1,440 | Couple’s Private Lodging | 3 nights at Crook Point |
| $916 | Groom’s Suit | J. Crew |
| $800 | Couple’s Roundtrip Airfare | New Jersey to Medford, OR |
| $395 | Groom’s Shoes | Rancourt Co. |
| $290 | Bride’s Jewelry | Chan Lu |
| $200 | Ceremony Venue | National Park Wedding Permit |
| $200 | Picnic | DIY |
| $138 | Bride’s Getting-Ready Attire | Silk set, customized by the bride |
| $138 | Bride’s Wedding Perfume | Noteworthy |
| $56 | Matching Heart Socks | Imogene + Willie |
| $50 | Marriage License | Oregon |
| $50 | Vow Books | Etsy |
| $26 | Bouquet & Boutonniere | Nustad Family Ranch |
| $0 | Officiant | Come to Bliss |
Zoé + Jacob’s Orcas Island Small Wedding | October 2024
Total Wedding Cost: Approximately $22,500
This budget does not include things like a rental car, honeymoon extension, additional decor items, wedding bands, etc. The total has been rounded up to account for some of these costs.
Z+J decided to plan their elopement in just 7 weeks, but every moment was intentional, intimate, and perfect for them. Their adventure was full of spontaneity and meant-to-be type moments.
A jaw dropping landing on an alpine lake, an entirely private ceremony, a surprise kayak (with a small leak), a Birds Eye view of a pod of orcas breeching, and a stunning island sunset.
They prioritized the things that mattered most to them:
- Full-day coverage from their elopement photographer to capture every moment, as well as content creation for immediate, behind-the-scenes captures of their day
- Experience – they both knew they wanted a private seaplane charter just for themselves
- Hair and makeup to look and feel their best on their wedding day
Here’s a breakdown of what their real small wedding cost:
| COST | CATEGORY | VENDOR / PROVIDER |
| $11,450 | Photography + Planning | Come to Bliss |
| $3,740 | Private Seaplane Charter | Kenmore Air |
| $1,200 | Content Creator | Come to Bliss |
| $960 | Couple’s Roundtrip Airfare | Lincoln, Nebraska to Seattle |
| $850 | Bride’s Dress | David’s Bridal |
| $588 | Couple’s Lodging | 2 nights at Outlook Inn |
| $500 | Bouquet + Boutonniere | Little Joy Fleurs |
| $500 | Groom’s Suit + Shoes | Men’s Warehouse |
| $200 | Bride’s Shoes | Kate Spade |
| $106 | Bride’s Wedding Perfume | Jimmy Choo |
| $68 | Roundtrip Ferry Ride | Anacortes to Orcas Island |
| $69 | Marriage License | Washington |
| $55 | Vow Books | Etsy |
| $10 | Picnic | DIY |
| $0 | Ceremony Venue | National Forest Land |
| $0 | Kayak | On beach for seaplane usage |
| $0 | Officiant | Come to Bliss |
Your Wedding Day – & Your Wedding Budget – Your Way
If there were a moral to this blog, it would be this: There isn’t any one right way to be married.
Just like there isn’t only one small wedding budget for everyone.
I don’t believe there’s a single right way to get married – I think, ultimately, it’s all about examining what matters most to you and your partner, then choosing it wholeheartedly.
Prioritize what you care about, chase down relentless joy on your wedding day, and don’t compromise in the areas that mean the world to you.
You can invite 10 of your closest friends to the courthouse to celebrate you walking out after saying “I do” and head to your fave local restaurant for a delicious dinner.
You can fly 30 of your family and friends to Italy for a three-day celebration, complete with a boat ride on the Riviera, winery tour, and a ceremony at a gorgeous villa.
There are endless options out there, and finding the one that best suits you and your partner is truly all that matters.
Don’t let anyone – even the wedding industry – tell you what kind of wedding you should have.
Consider what matters most to you, then invest in what speaks to you both.
