Is Money the Reason You Keep Pushing Back Your Wedding?

Want a Beautiful Wedding—But Is Your Budget Saying “No Way”?

 

You’re dreaming of a beautiful, unforgettable wedding—something special that brings together your closest family and friends to celebrate one of the most meaningful days of your life. But let’s be real… when you look at the costs, it can feel impossible to pull it off.

You’re not alone. Right now, everything seems to cost more. Gas prices are up. Food is expensive. Even something as simple as postage can feel outrageous. So how are you supposed to plan the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank?

Here’s the good news: You can have a fabulous wedding without draining your savings.

We totally understand that money might feel like the biggest obstacle keeping you from saying “I do.” But don’t let the dollar signs stop you from stepping into your future together. With some creative planning, a dash of resourcefulness, and a whole lot of heart, you can absolutely plan a day that’s meaningful, beautiful—and affordable.

 

Start With Where You Say “I Do”

Venues can take up a massive chunk of your budget. But you don’t have to book a ballroom or country club to have a magical day. Think outside the box and explore no-cost or low-cost wedding locations, like:

• A local park or botanical garden – Many public parks offer beautiful outdoor spaces at a fraction of the cost (or even for free with a permit).
• A backyard wedding – Yours, your parents’, or a generous friend’s! Add string lights, candles, and music, and you’ve got instant romance.
• A charming community hall or historic church – Often overlooked, these can be hidden gems.
• Your favorite coffee shop or bookstore – Small, quirky spaces can make for the most intimate and memorable weddings.

Let’s Talk Perks: Marriage Comes With Financial Benefits!

Once you’re married, you might actually save money. Seriously!

• Shared housing and living expenses mean one rent or mortgage instead of two.
• Health insurance benefits—many couples find it’s cheaper (and easier!) to get covered under one spouse’s plan.
• Tax breaks—filing jointly can often result in a better tax outcome.
• Bundling other expenses like car insurance, streaming services, or even gym memberships can bring your overall monthly costs down.

So while the upfront cost of a wedding may feel overwhelming, the long-term financial benefits of marriage are worth celebrating, too.

 

ST. LOUIS AREA & ILLINOIS LOCATIONS: (Free or LOW COST City, County Public Locations)

Alton Gordon Moore Public Park
Bellevue Park, Belleville. It has a beautiful gazebo and a medium size lake.
Forest Park – Waterfall off Lagoon Street, The Muny Entrance (Gazebo and beautiful lake in front of the Muny), General Grounds, the Basin area, and Old World’s Fair Pavilion are my favorites.
Faust Park – By The Village, Outside the Butterfly House, or at the Thornhill Mansion grounds that is behind the Butterfly House.
Kiener Plaza – The old Kiener Plaza was a beautiful setting. The new one is a bit busy all the time.
Carondelet Park
The Water Tower off Grand
Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit. It’s $5.00 per person to enter, but it’s worth it! They have a beautiful lake and in spring they have 1000s of daffodils.
Oak Knoll Park in Clayton. There is a sunken garden area to the West of the building and also a small lake.
Bee Tree Park in South County.
The City Garden has a nice waterfall
Tower Grove Park – Most everyone knows about the ruins, the lily pond, and the many, many gazebos.
Castlewood State Park off Manchester Road in Ballwin
The J.C. Stage in St. Charles on the Riverfront. It cost a little to rent, but it’s very nice. They also have two other smaller pavilions.
The New O’Day Park in O’Fallon. They also have the O’Day Lodge which rents at a reasonable price.
The Arch Grounds.
Lafayette Square & Park
Laumeier Sculpture Park
Queeny Park in Manchester
Chesterfield City Center Park
St. Ferdinand Park in Florissant – Both Lake & Gazebo.
Various New Town Locations in St. Charles
Drace Park in Des Peres – not well known, but very nice.
Longview Farm off Clayton Road in Town & County.
Creve Coeur Lake Park
Kirkwood Trail Station (Get married inside the train station. A great location when the weather is bad.)
Fort Zumwalt Park
Quail Ridge Park in St. Charles County

Let’s Talk Perks: Marriage Comes With Financial Benefits!

Once you’re married, you might actually save money. Seriously!

• Shared housing and living expenses mean one rent or mortgage instead of two.
• Health insurance benefits—many couples find it’s cheaper (and easier!) to get covered under one spouse’s plan.
• Tax breaks—filing jointly can often result in a better tax outcome.
• Bundling other expenses like car insurance, streaming services, or even gym memberships can bring your overall monthly costs down.

So while the upfront cost of a wedding may feel overwhelming, the long-term financial benefits of marriage are worth celebrating, too.

Don’t Wait for Money to Marry

Love doesn’t have to wait. You don’t need tens of thousands of dollars to throw the “perfect” wedding. You just need your person, a plan, and maybe a few of our tips.

Let’s be real: the most important part of your wedding day isn’t the fancy flowers, the three-course meal, or the custom monogrammed dance floor.

It’s the moment you look at each other and say, “I choose you.”

So grab your person, check out our list of 100 budget-friendly wedding hacks, and start planning your love-filled, money-smart celebration.

💍 With a little creativity, you just might be a wifey before you know it.

 

Need more help keeping costs in check?

We’ve pulled together an epic list of 100 practical, creative, and budget-friendly ideas

to help you save on everything from your dress to your décor. 

Get the Inside Scoop: 100 Money-Saving Wedding Tips

 

💰 Check them out here: 100 Money Saving Tips