How We Got Married in Orlando for Under $4,000 (and in 30 Days!)
Getting married in Orlando does not have to break the bank. My husband and I married in 2023, and we spent less than $4,000 to get exactly the wedding we wanted. And guess what? We did it all in under 30 days from getting engaged. Our turnaround was quick, but we truly had our dream day.
Our main goal was to solidify our marriage, not to throw a huge, elaborate party. Because of that, we skipped some of the traditional wedding elements. If you are looking to plan a wedding quickly and on a budget, our experience might give you some ideas.
Breaking Down Our Budget
Here is how we made our wedding happen for under $4,000:
The Core Package ($2,500)
This was our biggest expense, but it covered so much. We used a vendor and we picked the options that were best for us. Our package included:
- The venue (an outdoor park, which was beautiful!)
- The officiant
- A harpist (such a nice touch!)
- A photographer, who also recorded the ceremony
Dinner for Eight ($500-$700)
We kept our guest list very small – just our parents, grandma, and siblings. We had dinner at a downtown Orlando spot with a semi-private room. The best part? Everyone ordered what they wanted right off the menu. No complicated catering planning needed!
The Cake (Budget-Friendly)
I ordered a simple, basic cake from a local grocery store. I loved the chiffon design they did around it. I added personalized toppers from Etsy and a few decorations from Amazon. This made it feel special without the high cost of a custom bakery cake.
The Dress (An Unexpected Find!)
This was a fun one! We were not even looking for a dress. We just happened to stop by a bridal store on the way to visiting family. I was not pressured to buy, but I found a full-on wedding gown that I absolutely loved and that fit perfectly. My parents graciously purchased it for me. For my husband (my groom), I picked up a few accessories for my husband, like a tie clip and boutonniere, about a week before. He chose his suit color, and that was that.
Decor (Thanks, Sis!)
I am so grateful my sister is an interior designer! She arrived early and did an incredible job decorating both our outdoor ceremony spot and the reception dinner area. This is a big tip. Use your family and friends’ expertise to decrease costs. My sister’s “top-tier” decor made us feel like a king and queen, truly elevating the experience. This saved us a significant amount on professional decorators.
Photos
We kept the ceremony very simple. Our photographer took pictures of us at the park and then a few at the reception which was downtown Orlando during the Christmas season. It was as if the entire downtown was decorated for our wedding celebration. The photographer also took picture of us mock cake cutting. For the rest of the photos, our family members happily snapped photos on their phones, which was perfect for capturing all the candid moments.
Gifts
We bought jewelry for our family members as thank-you gifts, getting everything from one store.
From Courthouse to Ceremony
Originally, we considered just getting married at the courthouse. But with encouragement from our family, we decided on a small ceremony. Looking back, we are so incredibly grateful we did! Those photos and memories of our union, shared with our loved ones and in front of God, are priceless. It is a wonderful reminder of the lifelong commitment we have made. You can check out some of our wedding photos at https://lifeinoverflow.com/2024/10/17/it-was-all-a-dream-until-it-was-reality.
Is a 30-Day Budget Wedding for You?
While our experience was perfect for us, I would not necessarily suggest this quick turnaround and budget for everyone. Every couple has their own dream wedding, and that is amazing! However, if you are like us – looking to spend just a few thousand dollars and want to tie the knot as soon as possible – then taking some of these tips could be a game-changer for your wedding planning.