Wedding Venue Ideas for Every Budget

There are fewer places more familiar than your own backyard. Choosing a backyard wedding to take place right behind your home (or family member or friend’s home) is comfortable, convenient, and makes the space and event more meaningful.

Benefits:

• Affordable!
• Possibility for more economical food options (home-cooked, potluck)
• Comfort & familiarity
• More customization options for decorations and the order of events

Imagine a slight hum, the twinkling of fireflies, and a walkway lit up by little lanterns and string lights as you make your way to your spouse. Your family and friends are sitting in the front row, their faces glowing with anticipation, and there is nothing but wildlife and trees surrounding you.

If you planned a ceremony in the woods, this could be exactly how your special night goes. Similar to the backyard wedding, this setting is both intimate and enchanting. Just make sure your choice is truly free.

Benefits:

• Secluded, total privacy
• Refreshing outdoors, with inspiring nature
• Smaller, more intimate ceremony

A day at the beach is always fun. The warm sun, the soft sand, and the cool breeze are always a recipe for happiness and bonding. But what if you combined that with your future spouse, best dress, and all your loved ones? One word: heaven.

Find the perfect spot at your favorite beach, and voila! You have all of the best things packed into one day. Because beaches are under the purview of local governments, you will have to check whether permits are needed or if other guidelines apply.

Need some beach wedding ideas? Read more here!

Benefits:

• Fun & great for a summer wedding
• Day-trip opportunity
• Stunning background

A wedding in a public park could be just what you need if you've got a long guest list. If you're looking for something outdoors and romantic but don't have the space available in your own backyard, a park could be perfect! It shares many perks with the other locations listed, but with the bonus of a much larger area.

Check with your local government for permits or other requirements.

Benefits:

• Airy and spacious
• Public, easily accessible
• Family-friendly
• Affordable

If you’re looking for a traditional way to share your special moment with your soon-to-be life partner, a church setting may be just that. Dimly lit, with each pew filled with just your closest friends and family, and with candles at the altar, this is the perfect place to feel intimacy and meaning.

Some churches might offer the space for free, so make sure to check with your local church.

Benefits:

• Local, easily accessible
• Intimate ceremony
• Family-friendly
• Faith-focused

Average cost: $500

If you're inclined to the opulent, finding an affordable wedding venue may initially seem daunting. But, various city hall buildings throughout the U.S offer breathtaking architecture that will be sure to make your night feel enchanting. Rest assured, the photographer will not struggle to capture that special shot in a building like this.

Benefits:

• Beautiful architecture
• Can be local or within the US for ease of travel/transport
• Indoors - can be done year-round, in any weather conditions, from winter to spring

Average cost: Under $500

There are few places more inspiring and romantic than a national park. With their breathtaking views and head-turning vistas, you will have your entire party dazzled in a location like this. With nothing but the sounds of nature and the smell of flowers, a national park wedding is affordable and unforgettable.

Benefits:

• Memorable, thanks to the natural wonder
• Private and intimate
• Aesthetically unique and stunning

Average cost: Under $1,000

Whether you’re looking for a night of themed costumes and outgoing personalities or one that is sophisticated and intellectual, a wedding night at the theater will hit the mark. With the added convenience of the venue already being situated in a wedding-ready fashion, all you and your wedding-goers will have to do is dress up and show up.

Benefits:

• Whimsical & fun
• Pre-set chairs, stage, walkways
• Unique lighting and effects
• Can be meaningful to the couple

Average cost: Best for budgets in the $5,000-$10,000 range

A library can be a romantic place; filled with books and knowledge, and there is something quite attractive about the atmosphere. If you’ve met your partner in one, or if you’ve both shared special moments in them (or with books), then it only makes sense to seal the deal here.

Benefits:

• Has all amenities
• Indoors
• It can be beautifully decorated

Average cost: Best for budgets between $5,000-$25,000

A garden is a place for repose; if you seek tranquility, bring your loved ones to a botanical garden and relax, breathe, and step into your new life. Whether you'd like to take a walk outdoors amongst the gardens or sit in the cozy conservatory, a wedding venue in a botanical garden could do you no harm.

Benefits:

• Beautiful scenery, walking paths
• Can be re-visited with partner for years to come
• Tranquil and calm

Average cost: Between $1,000-$5,000

The beautiful ocean, the hot summer's sun, and your favorite people–all under one roof and coasting comfortably along. A wedding cruise is not only surprisingly budget-friendly but also luxury at its pinnacle. As you gaze at the coastline, you will be sipping on your favorite beverage and contemplating how great life is.

Benefits:

• Talented crew
• Various entertainment and leisure opportunities
• Luxury accommodation

Average cost: Between $5,000-$10,000

If star-gazing and canoeing on the lake sound appealing, you may want to consider renting out a countryside cottage. Luckily for you, it isn't too tricky. With resources like Airbnb, you are moments away from securing your very own rural getaway. A countryside cottage will give you utter peace of mind, making a memorable day even more enjoyable.

Benefits:

• More customizability opportunities
• Indoor or outdoor options
• Range of location and size options

Average cost: Under $5,000

You may prefer a more casual, relaxed atmosphere. You still want to celebrate this day memorably, but you're looking for something that isn't as grand as a cottage getaway or a national park and all of the ensuing festivities.

Well, nothing says relaxation like a cute cafe; maybe it is where you met your future spouse, and you want to commemorate this special place. A wedding cafe is just that; budget-friendly and charming.

Benefits:

• Charming atmosphere
• Relaxed energy
• Unique layout

Average cost: Between $2,000 - $5,000

A hotel wedding will be perfect for you if you're after top-quality service and generous hospitality. Hotels have lots of experience hosting weddings, which can help reduce the stress for you as a host!

Benefits:

• Comfort & hospitality
• Tried and true methods; no need for preparation or organization
• Elegant decor
• Convenient accommodation

Average cost: Best for budgets above $50,000

A museum wedding is a wonderful choice if you are in search of a night full of surprises. If you or your partner have a favorite dinosaur or perhaps favor a certain time period, a museum wedding can be both exciting and budget-friendly. Art museum or gallery can be your options too.

Benefits:

• Interactive and educational
• Beautiful architecture
• Indoors, so works for all seasons

Average cost: Best for budgets over $50,000

Do you want to slow dance the night away while the city sparkles underneath? Do you want to forget about the rest of the world while you and all your closest friends and family listen to elegant music? Renting out a penthouse skyline view may be just what you need.

Benefits:

• Exclusive, luxury feel
• Breathtaking views
• Topnotch services

Average cost: Best for budgets over $50,000, but greatly depends on the city you’re in

When you think of a traditional wedding, you think of a large banquet hall. A rich banquet wedding is for you if you want a ceremony with all the bells and whistles, including top-quality catering and a professional team of organizers.

And, after the wedding ceremony, you can expect your guests to take advantage of the dance floor.

Benefits:

• Catering & bar
• High capacity
• Spacious, with a large dance floor
• Experienced staff ensure a smooth organizing process

Average cost: Best for budgets over $50,000

A destination wedding may be right up your alley if you've got a generous budget. A castle in France or a countryside villa in Italy would be just some examples of how you could spend your dream wedding across the ocean.

Benefits:

• Complete privacy
• Different culture and surroundings to experience
• More complete packages are provided

Average cost: Best for budgets over $50,000, but greatly depends on the destination location

If traveling overseas is too much of a hassle, how about traveling to the seaside instead? Places like the Castle Hill Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, can offer all of the perks of the French castle but in the comfort of your own country.

With the historic estate lending an Old World backdrop, this destination combines comfort and exoticism.

Benefits:

• It offers many of the perks of an overseas castle
• Secluded, private
• Fresh ocean steps away
• Beautiful sunsets

Average cost: Best for budgets over $50,000

Excellent wine, elegant atmosphere, and countless opportunities for beautiful photos, a wedding at a vineyard farm will provide you with a day of fine tastings and memorable conversation. In an open space filled with things that will activate your senses, this venue will be one that everyone will remember, even years after your amazing wedding.

Benefits:

• Stunning photo ops
• Elegant & charming
• Customizable but often have a wedding infrastructure in place

Average cost: Best for budgets over $50,000

There are many things to consider in the wedding planning process, but the first thing you'll want to do is make a wedding budget by deciding on the type of event you and your partner would like to have.

Will it be a big wedding with all your friends and family in attendance, or a smaller, more intimate ceremony? Do you want a luxury experience, or is a laid-back situation more your style? Have you always dreamed of wearing an expensive gown, or is top-notch catering more important to you?

Once you decide what's most important, you can allocate more money towards those areas and cut back in other places to build your budget.

The next step is research; understanding a venue's total cost is essential. For example, you may choose a free venue, such as a park or beach, but may have to pay extra for providing electricity, tents, bathrooms, etc. Make sure to ask thorough questions that entail to your event.

And a venue that might seem to cost more initially–but includes food, staffing, decoration, experience and more–might end up being a better price.

So just make sure to conduct the proper research before making a decision solely based on the price of the venue.

You've got all the information you need, and now it's time to plan your special day. No matter what venue you choose or the type of ceremony you plan, you can't go wrong if it represents your unique relationship, culture, and personality.

Remember that this is supposed to be a happy time, so don't stress. If you still have wedding venue questions, we’ve got you covered. Minted is here to help guide you through your most memorable moments.