15 affordable wedding venue ideas on a budget

Choosing a venue is one of the most important steps in the wedding planning process. It can also be one of the most expensive parts of the wedding. But the location of your ceremony and reception doesn't have to break the bank.

Explore these 15 wedding venue ideas on a budget to get your imagination going on how to save money on your wedding day.

If you're a couple of animal lovers, why not go where the wild things are? The zoo or aquarium can provide an exotic and fun backdrop for your special day. Most facilities charge a fee to use the space, and it could cost a few thousand dollars or more. But it's likely a portion of your rental fee will go toward the care of the animals and conservation efforts.

Having a civil ceremony at your local city hall is a well-known way to save money. Most municipal offices charge less than $100. If you're lucky enough to live in Washington, D.C., it's free. Many historic cities and towns have breathtaking buildings, so going this route doesn't have to mean you miss out on a beautiful wedding ceremony.

Using nature as your setting can help keep your wedding budget in check. You'll likely need to secure a permit to use the space, often in the $100–$200 range, and it's a good idea to reserve the day well ahead of time. Be sure to read the fine print, though. Some spaces restrict the number of people you can have at the gathering and ban certain items from being used on the site, such as open-flame grills or alcohol, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Using a restaurant as a wedding venue can save you both money and time. A full-service restaurant will have food, beverages, serving staff, seating and many other things you'd otherwise need to get from outside vendors. Depending on the size of your guest list and the night of your event, a restaurant could be a one and done venue option.

For a Friday or Saturday wedding, search for restaurants with a separate event space so you can avoid paying a premium for closing a business on their busiest night.

Nontraditional hotels and home rentals are increasingly popular wedding venues. If you don't have access to a well-adorned space for free, borrowing one for the day or weekend is the next best thing. You may be able to snag a picturesque location for a fraction of the typical price.

Keep in mind that not every small-business inn or privately owned home for rent is open to hosting weddings. The description may plainly state "no parties," so it's a good idea to check with the host before you book.

If you're a couple who loves art, history, science or books, then a museum or library could be the ideal budget-friendly venue. Some spaces may charge $500–$1,000 or more. You might consider a smaller, less sought-after space to keep the cost even lower. Look around, and you're bound to find a hidden gem in your area.

Did you meet your partner on campus? You may want to consider tying the knot there. Many universities are already equipped with large event spaces to accommodate your guests and may even give you a discount if you're an alumnus. Additionally, your alma mater may have some beautiful locations that will make your big day extra special.

If you were thinking of having a nightclub vibe at your wedding reception, you could go all in and just have your reception at a nightclub. Many of these venues have wide open spaces that you can customize to match the theme and style of your wedding. You could keep the club atmosphere or go for something more sophisticated.

Similar to parks and other public property rentals, community organizations may allow their spaces to be rented for weddings for a reasonable fee. What's great about these types of venues is that your rental fee generally goes toward supporting a community organization — a win for everyone.

Many couples shy away from an all-inclusive yacht experience, thinking it's probably much too expensive. However, if you're planning to keep your wedding gathering on the small side and are looking to make your dollars stretch into luxury, a yacht can be perfect. Depending on the number of guests you expect, a chartered boat ride may work and be on the lower end of the budget spectrum.

Rustic charm and plenty of wholesome food and beverages — if this appeals to you, consider a local farm or winery as your wedding venue. Many have a naturally beautiful setting with open spaces inside and out. The cost to rent a farm or winery can creep up to $5,000 or more range. Depending on how the venue is set up, you may need to bring your own tables, chairs, food and drink serving items and more.

For the ultimate in DIY weddings, choose your backyard (or your parents' or a friend's) as the location for both the ceremony and reception. You'll save on rental fees, so you can devote more of your wedding budget to food, decor and reception activities.

For a sense of good fun, consider renting out a bowling alley and swapping the traditional after-dinner dancing for a few games. The cost of a bowling alley wedding venue can vary considerably based on your location and the alley's offerings. If you want to serve your guests something more substantial than nachos or soft pretzels, you may need to bring in an outside caterer too.

Are you a sports fanatic or did your team just win the big game? You could celebrate their win and yours by having your wedding at your local sports venue. The cost of renting a stadium or playing field depends on the size and time of year — you may have to pay more if it's the middle of the season.

If you're a down-to-earth, nature-loving couple, you might consider renting campground space for your wedding. You could have a lakeside ceremony followed by dinner and dancing under the stars. Costs will depend on the location, but it's commonly $1,000 and up to rent the outdoor space for a night or weekend.

For more savings when securing a venue, consider having your wedding on a nontraditional day. Saturday is the most popular and expensive day to get married so locations may be cheaper on Friday or Sunday. Picking a date outside the peak of wedding season in late spring and summer can also help keep costs low. With an open mind for unusual venues and strategic off-season timing, your wedding budget can stretch further.

Thinking about how you're going to fund your wedding? Build up your savings bit by bit. With ¹Citizens Savings Tracker™️, you can set up automatic recurring transfers, deposit rounded-up change from your transactions and get Smart Save alerts to put money toward your goal¹.