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35 times budget weddings went totally wrong

Bored Panda · Mar 25, 2026 20:14 · 6 min read

35 Times Budget Weddings Went Totally Wrong

From toilet rolls being used as drapes, to a couple who took “trashy” quite literally to the next level, and got married next to a dumpster...

Weddings don’t come cheap. According to a recent report, the average cost of one in the U.S. has climbed to $36,000 in 2025. And that doesn’t include the honeymoon. It’s no surprise, then, that many couples choose to cut costs when it comes to some aspects of their big day. While there’s nothing wrong, and everything right, with having a wedding within your means, there is fine line between affordable and cheap.

People have been sharing the most cringeworthy "budget wedding" disasters they’ve had the discomfort of witnessing. From toilet rolls being used as drapes, to a couple who took “trashy” quite literally and got married next to a dumpster... Bored Panda has gathered our personal top picks. We also found some tips on how to keep wedding costs down without making your guests feel like they're in Tacky Town.

#1 Wasn't Expecting To See A Wedding When I Stopped At Walmart This Weekend

#2 Decoration Of The Wedding Hall

#3 Gas Station Wedding

Just because the average cost of a wedding has sky-rocketed to $36,000 in 2025, it doesn’t mean you have to spend that on yours. But for the love of all things holy matrimony, whatever you do, don’t use toilet paper as drapes or give your guests food poisoning by storing your pasta salad in an inflatable pool. There are plenty of ways to keep costs down without going to Tacky Town.

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#4 Aren't They Supposed To Refrigerate That?

#5 Bride Thinks Returning Wedding Decorations After Using Them Is A Great Way To “Save Money”

I don’t know, but I feel like this is illegal and just a bad thing to even think about doing.

#6 I See You're A Professional. Do It For Free

The first step is to figure out how much you can spend and then decide, as a couple, what your priorities are.

"Whether you have $1,000, $10,000, $100,000, or $1,000,000, it is all a lot of money,” wedding expert Megan Grose told The Knot. “Sit down together and figure out what is most important to you as a couple, then prioritize your budget accordingly."

According to Zola’s 2025 Wedding Trends Report, "couples are most willing to splurge on key elements including an incredible photographer to capture every memory, a stunning venue, and food and drinks that keep everyone celebrating all night long."

The Knot meanwhile reports that couples typically allocate 8% of their wedding budget toward alcohol, and points out that hosting a "dry wedding" can really help to keep costs down. That might not appeal to everyone, but again, it's about deciding on your priorities as a couple.

#7 “Budget” Grazing Table - You Get What You Paid For

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#8 Wedding Venue Serves Tuna Tartar In A Pvc Pipe

#9 At A Wedding Reception Pot Luck Tonight. Served Cold

An obvious (but not always easy) way to keep costs down is to invite fewer people. The larger your guest list, the more expensive your wedding will be, notes The Knot.

"While a photographer will cost the same amount whether you have 50 guests or 500, there are other costs, like catering, that are dependent on how many folks attend. And by shrinking your guest list with a small wedding you can also lower some of those variable expenses," reads the wedding site.

#10 Trashy Wedding

#11 This Gluten Free Pizza They Gave My Mom At A Wedding

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#12 A Home Depot Wedding

Another option is to have a shorter reception as opposed to the traditional all-night affair. "While most wedding receptions include dinner and dancing, there's nothing set in stone saying you have to follow that pattern," reads the site. "Especially if you're looking for wedding food ideas on a budget, opting for an abbreviated cocktail reception instead of a full-length dinner reception will save you money."

Swapping out the cocktails for mocktails might help you shave even more off your expenses. Zola's survey of 6,000 couples found that 54% of them will have these on the menu, meaning a booze-free or "dry" wedding won't leave guests with limited options.

#13 This Was Served At A Wedding Reception

#14 Hot Tip - Save Money On Your Wedding By Defrauding Your Employer

Saw this posted on another sub and thought everyone here would enjoy it.

#15 Begging For Money From Strangers Cuz You’re Getting Married

Being creative when it comes to your venue can help save thousands. Finance platform NerdWallet suggests looking into options like restaurants, breweries, or vacation houses. "All these options are potential affordable wedding venues," reads the site. "Picking a spot that doesn’t usually cater to weddings can help you save money — and give your nuptials a unique feel."

Other money-saving wedding hacks include picking an off-peak date or month and not having your event on a Saturday. Remember, the more popular the day, the more expensive the venue is likely to be.

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#16 I Went To A Wedding At A Mansion, And Discovered That They Had Painted The Grass Green. This Is My Feet After Walking Through It In Closed-Toed Shoes

#17 Bud Light Wedding

#18 I Ate Mashed Potato Wedding Cake With Gravy Icing And Fried Chicken Topper

The devil is in the details when it comes to your wedding budget. That bouquet or flower arrangement you saw on Pinterest might look perfect, but did you consider whether those particular petals are in season? Being clever about your centerpieces, bouquets, and floral decor will pay off in the end.

“Botanicals and fruit can be added to tabletop decor, along with candles, to add ambiance, and often at a lower cost than fresh blooms,” advises Stephanie Cain, a wedding industry journalist.

#19 Can I Leave My Family?

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#20 He Wore His Best Hat For The Wedding

#21 My Meal At A Wedding Recently

Another tip is to mix up real and artificial flowers on the day. "Use silk flowers for big arrangements such as a floral chandelier above a dance floor or a ceremony arch behind the couple — and save the real ones for the tabletop, bouquet, boutonniere, and other moments when a fake flower would be noticeable to a guest," suggests Cain.

#22 For A Wedding

#23 Wedding Picture Level: Aisle 7

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#24 Sister-In-Law Wanted To Make Her Own Wedding Cake

Last year, Zola reported that the average cost of a wedding was around $33,000. However, 74% of couples who married in 2024 said they ended up going over their original expected budget. Almost a quarter of them exceeded it by a staggering $10,000. But almost all felt it was "absolutely worth it.”