Growing up in Florida, I’d spent weekends at farmers markets and my grandfather’s garden, so the idea of a farm‑to‑table menu immediately appealed to me.

Planning our wedding on a tight budget taught me that great food and memorable experiences don’t require a giant price tag. Instead of choosing a typical buffet or dessert table, my husband and I set up a build‑your‑own smoothie bowl bar at our brunch reception.

When my partner and I decided to tie the knot, we knew we wanted a day that felt like us without spending a fortune. As someone who writes about affordable wedding venues and menus, I felt a bit of pressure to practice what I preach!

Once you’ve decided on your wedding menu, there’s still one more decision - what should you have for dessert! One idea is to serve mini desserts for wedding treats.

You can also serve a traditional wedding cake, a single tier cake, or no cake at all. Your guests will love having their choice of mini desserts for an after-the-meal treat.

Most wedding experts say that 50% of your budget should go to your food and venue. But what if your budget is smaller than average? If you’re only spending ten thousand dollars - is five thousand enough to rent a venue and pay for a caterer? What if your budget is even smaller? Maybe your budget isn’t big enough for a traditional caterer. But don’t get discouraged - there’s lots of other options.

Normally we try to avoid the word “cheap”. We’ll say we want an inexpensive venue. Or we want to be practical, thrifty, sensible. We want to stick to our budget! All true. But really: if you’re on a budget, you need a cheap wedding venue. The real trick is finding one that doesn’t look cheap. See an idea list of affordable wedding venues, typical prices, and easy ways to save money.