16 Affordable Wedding Venue Ideas That Don’t Sacrifice Style

Finding affordable wedding venue ideas is crucial since our internal data showed that 27% of an average wedding budget goes toward the venue and rentals. This means focusing on inexpensive wedding venues can mean the difference between overspending and saving big. But with thousands of venues out there, finding one that's actually affordable might seem easier said than done. Fortunately, we've got some hacks for you. Go to The Knot Vendor Marketplace, where you can filter venues in your wedding location by price. Next, use our free wedding budget tool, which gives you a breakdown of what other couples in your area are spending on local wedding costs. Once you've done those two things we know you might get sticker shock, so read up on the why behind venue costs to gain some behind the scenes knowledge.

Even after you've finished those tasks, there's still more to learn about affordable wedding venues. Below are expert tips and tricks on finding the most affordable places to get married. Remember, it's all about being creative and flexible to get the dream wedding you want.

Affordable wedding venue 411: Price | Ideas | Venues Near You | Tips

How Much Is an Affordable Wedding Venue?

According to The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study, which surveyed about 17,000 newlyweds, couples spent an average of $12,172 on their wedding venue. Of course, that's just the average wedding venue cost and the price depends on a variety of factors, your wedding location in particular. But generally speaking, anything below the average cost is considered affordable.

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Affordability is a relative term, and means different things to different couples based on their own financial situation. Jacqueline Truesdale, a budget wedding venues expert and general manager of Beau Truesdale Wedding Venues, shed more light on the topic. "To me, an 'affordable wedding venue' is a place that provides excellent value for the price and offers everything a couple needs for their wedding day without hiding unanticipated venue fees. Affordability should never mean sacrificing quality. It's about getting a comprehensive experience that covers multiple elements, allowing couples to focus on enjoying their day rather than managing a long list of vendors and setting up their decor." (Quick reminder: Use this opportunity to try out The Knot Budget Advisor to find out how much a venue will cost in your marrying location.)

Affordable Wedding Venue Ideas

While there are affordable wedding venues in pretty much every category, certain types of venues offer more money-saving options. Here's a list of inexpensive wedding venues to look for as you're starting your search:

1. All-Inclusive Venues

Anyone looking for wedding venue ideas on a budget should definitely learn about all-inclusive venue basics and consider one of these spots as a cost-saving option. "These venues provide a comprehensive package that covers everything from catering to decor, offering excellent value for money. By bundling services, they minimize the need for additional vendors, which can add up quickly. This streamlined approach simplifies the planning process and helps couples avoid unexpected fees, making it easier to stay within budget," says Truesdale.

Price: $10,000–$60,000 (Some all-inclusive packages are priced at a flat rate or a per-person charge.)

2. National Parks

These low-budget wedding venues are a no-brainer. You'll need a permit to host your ceremony at a national park, which is usually a couple hundred dollars. Reception venues will likely cost more, but are still quite affordable—and often, the national park venue fee counts as a tax-deductible wedding expense—bonus! You really can't beat the low price and beautiful scenery of national park wedding venues.

Price: $60–$500

3. City Halls, Courthouses and Government Buildings

Want a straightforward, no-frills wedding? Then put city halls or courthouses on your inexpensive wedding locations list. You'll need to keep your guest list super-small, and will only be able to host your civil ceremony at these locations, but you can host a reception elsewhere afterwards. (Here's more info on courthouse wedding costs.)

Price: $25–$200

4. Restaurants

We love restaurant weddings for many reasons, but most of all because they're affordable wedding reception venues with pretty much everything you need under one roof. Of course there's delicious food, plus restaurants are usually already well decorated, so you don't need to spend a lot on additional decor. Important notes for restaurant wedding planning and using this top cheap wedding reception venue idea: If you're hosting a small wedding, rent out part of the restaurant or a private room. Larger weddings may require you to buy out the entire venue, which can be pricier.

Price: Depends on number of guests, if you're renting the entire restaurant, the time of day and much more. Many restaurant weddings start around $4,000.

5. Private Homes

"Hosting your wedding at home or in a backyard eliminates the hefty cost of a venue rental. This option allows couples to have full control over their guest list, catering and decor, enabling them to make choices that align with their budget," Truesdale tells us. People often consider this one of the best cheap wedding venues—"cheap" isn't a bad word here—but there's more to this option than you think. While it's true that you won't have to pay a rental fee for your own backyard, you'll likely have to bring in everything from tents to generators, portable restrooms and more. These expenses can add up very quickly, and at-home weddings often cost more than weddings at more traditional venues. But if you're still dreaming of an intimate affair at home, check out these backyard wedding ideas on a budget.

Price: Free

6. Venues With a Flexible Food and Beverage Minimum

The most inexpensive place to have a wedding is where the vendor is willing to work within your budget. When you're looking at the numerous long lists of potential spots, ask the staff how strict the food and beverage minimum is. The answer to this question will help you narrow things down quickly, since the minimum (and its accompanying service charges and taxes) can be over your set budget.

Price: Depends on the location, size of the venue and more. Some of these venues start around $3,500.

7. Gardens

Gardens are one of our favorite outdoor wedding ideas on a budget. "Garden wedding venues typically offer affordable rental fees compared to traditional wedding venues. The natural beauty of these outdoor settings mean less is needed in terms of decor, and couples can often opt for a smaller guest list, which further reduces costs," Truesdale says.

Price: Depends on the location, size of the venue and more. Some garden weddings start around $800.

8. Venues That Allow Outside Catering

Don't want to feel restricted to a venue's catering menu, whether it's because of food options or the price? Then, you need to look at low-price wedding venues that allow you to hire your own caterer. By booking a venue with this option, you have the tastiest and least expensive food option, like a wedding taco bar, and still dance the night away in the place you love.

Price: Depends on the location, size of the venue and more. Some of these venues start around $3,000.

9. Places of Worship

You'll find religious institutions on every list of inexpensive venues for weddings. These spaces are great for faith-based couples because it emphasizes the religious elements of their ceremonies. Also, in many instances, members of the congregation get the venue heavily discounted or free. So if you love the look of your local place of worship, don't be afraid to reach out to them. (Check this out if you're looking for beautiful church wedding venues.)

Price: Free–$2,000

10. Beaches

A requirement for many outdoor affairs, to-be-weds need a permit to host a beach wedding. But before you start looking at affordable beach wedding ideas, ensure your wedding location is accessible for all your guests. That means you'll need to look into accessible wedding planning since, for example, people who use wheelchairs or walkers might have trouble navigating the sand to reach their seat for the ceremony.

Price: $100–$1,000

11. Clubhouses

Just like the places of worship option, if you or a loved one is a member of a country club, private club, or other clubhouse, there's a possibility that you can use their space for free or for a low price. Clubhouses are one the best wedding venue ideas on a budget since many are prepared to accommodate large gatherings since they typically have a small kitchen, furniture and more.

Price: Free–$3,500

12. House Rentals

Booking a vacation rental like Airbnb or Vrbo doesn't have to be complicated and you get lots of flexibility. First, use the sites' filters to ensure the owner is okay with large events being held on the property. Once you do this, feel free to book any of your desired pros (some traditional wedding venues require you to use their vendors). If you want the house rental to be a one-stop shop for all your wedding needs, ask the host if you can use the space for the ceremony, reception and as an accommodation. (Here are more details on booking an Airbnb wedding venue.)

Price: Depends on the location, size of the venue and more. Some house rental weddings start around $2,000.

13. Community Centers

"These venues are a budget-friendly option, often offering lower rental fees compared to private wedding venues. Though they may come with basic amenities, couples have the flexibility to personalize the space with their own decor, allowing them to save on costly venue-provided decorations," Truesdale says.

Price: $200–$3,000

14. Theaters

Whether the space shows movies or is for performing arts, theaters are one of the best affordable wedding venue ideas for people who don't want to put much thought into decor since theaters typically have a grand and classic look already. Remember, you'll need to have an in-depth conversation with the theater owner about bringing in vendors and outside food and beverages. But have fun honoring the space by putting your and your partner's names in the marquee or serving popcorn as a late-night wedding snack.

Price: Depends on the location, size of the venue and more. Some theater weddings start around $2,000.

15. Schools

This affordable wedding venue option works for high schools or universities and is ideal for to-be-weds looking to return to their alma mater (especially if the couple met at said school). If you're an alumni of your desired school, inquire about any perks or discounts for graduates. For the actual location of the affair, consider the auditorium, a large classroom, study hall or library. There are plenty of chapel wedding venues on school campuses too. Important note: Keep in mind that you'll most likely not be able to book any spaces on campus while school is in session so look into having your wedding during school breaks and summer months.

Price: Depends on the location, size of the venue and more. Some school weddings start around $4,000.

16. Cruise Ships

Sail off into the sunset, get married and sleep all in one place. Besides the almost guaranteed beautiful views, a cruise ship wedding can serve as a blank slate for any decor theme. Having weddings on cruises is popular now, so many top-notch vessels offer great packages for whatever your heart desires. Don't forget that cruise ship wedding costs vary on the cruise line, so make sure to do your research to ensure you're getting the most bang for your buck.

Price: $1,200–$6,000

How to Find Affordable Wedding Venues Near You

With so many venues out there, it can be daunting to narrow down the list to the most affordable options. Fortunately, The Knot Vendor Marketplace is a great platform for completing your venue booking checklist. Here's how:

Search For Venues in Your Area

First, head over to The Knot Vendor Marketplace and enter your wedding location into the search field. You'll then see a list of all the venues in your area.

Explore our affordable wedding venue roundups: Chicago | Los Angeles | Arizona | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Florida | Georgia | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | New Hampshire | New Jersey | North Carolina | Ohio | Oklahoma | Pennsylvania | Texas | Utah | Virginia

Filter by Price

You'll notice several filters at the top of the page, including one for price. There are four different price point options, ranging from inexpensive to luxury. By checking the appropriate boxes, you can filter out the more expensive venues in favor of cheap wedding venues options.

Check the Storefronts

Once you've filtered by price, take a look at the storefronts for the remaining options. Many venues have their starting pricing information right on their page (look under the "Request Quote" button), plus you can also check out photos, read reviews and more.

Reach Out for More Info

Once you've narrowed down the list to a few venues you're interested in, use our venue inquiry email template to request package details and more specific pricing information. It's easy—click the "Request Quote" button, which will create a pop-up. Fill out the important info, like your name, wedding date and guest count, then click the "Request Quote" button at the bottom of the pop-up box and you're all set.

Schedule Tours

A big part of choosing a wedding venue is actually visiting it in person. Select two or three venues you'd like to visit, and schedule tours. When you visit a venue, have questions for the venues you tour and ensure you feel comfortable with what you're getting for the cost.

Tips for Selecting Inexpensive Wedding Locations

Ready to start planning an affordable wedding? Below are a few aspects to think about during the process to help you save money on a wedding venue.

Set Your Budget

It's impossible to know how much you have available to spend on your venue if you haven't set your budget. Decide if you'll be paying for the wedding yourself, or if you'll be receiving family contributions, and calculate your total budget. Melissa Caceres, president and creative director of Events On A Budget for 20 years, explains what factors go into setting your wedding budget. "We always work with our clients to help them understand that when working within a specific budget, they may need to make concessions. This could involve being flexible with the ideal location or style of the venue," Caceres says. (Learn more about how your venue fits into your wedding budget breakdown.)

Pick Your Priorities

What are the most important attributes you're looking for in a venue? Do you want outdoor space? Onsite lodging? Does it need to be near an airport or other transportation hub? Picking two or three top priorities (and writing them down) will help you make your list smaller and less overwhelming.

Be Flexible

The time of year and date of your wedding can have a major impact on your venue cost. Many venues offer lower rates for events held on days other than Saturday during the off-peak season (usually winter in most places). You should also look into when the cheapest month to get married is and plan accordingly.

Consider Guest Count

"Determining the number of guests is crucial for selecting a venue that can comfortably accommodate everyone while staying within budget," Caceres says. And let's not forget that it's a proven fact that the fewer guests you invite, the more you'll save. According to internal data, the average cost of a wedding with 50 guests is $14,200, as compared to the $28,000 for 100 guests. By keeping your guest list tight, you'll be able to consider small wedding venues, which tend to be more affordable.

Enlist a Planner

It may seem counterintuitive that hiring a planner will help you save money, but it's absolutely true. Planners know which venues are the most budget-friendly, and can use their connections to ensure you get the most bang for your buck. Also, a planner would let you know that searching "cheapest and most affordable venues near me" online doesn't mean you're getting the best results. "The cheapest venue option is not always the most affordable. Some venues may seem more expensive up front, but could include more amenities, such as food, rentals and more. When adding up these items separately, it may actually cost more. Having a planner delve into the details and make thorough comparisons can prevent mistakes, ensuring you don't think you're saving money when,in reality, you might not be," Caceres tells us.

Look for Natural Beauty

Caceres says that "finding a venue that aligns with the couple's vision and style for their wedding day is important" and we agree. That's why you should keep this in mind while looking for cheap wedding ideas because you don't want to deprioritize style by focusing too much on cost. One loophole to this situation is choosing an outdoor venue surrounded by natural beauty since you can focus on the beauty of nature and skip the extra decor. Of course, hosting an outdoor wedding means you're at the mercy of Mother Nature—so be sure your venue has an adequate rain plan.

Host Everything in the Same Place

Find a venue that can do it all. Hosting your ceremony and reception at two different venues means you'll have to pay two separate site fees. One of our top cheap wedding reception venue ideas is flipping your ceremony space into your reception space since many venues offer a discounted ceremony rate if you book your reception at the site. Bonus: You'll avoid paying wedding transportation costs.

Target Tax-Deductible Venues

When looking for an affordable wedding venue, target nonprofits like historic buildings, gardens, museums or parks. Your site fee could be written off as a tax-deductible donation, which will help you save.

Find Out What's Included

Different venues include numerous services in their wedding packages, so as you compare venue pricing, ensure you're comparing apples to apples. Sure, a particular venue may cost more than another, but if their fee includes catering, flowers, a DJ and more, it could be a better deal.

Look for Additional Fees

The cost of getting married can add up. Not only do you need to consider the marriage license cost by state, but additional fees are quite common for weddings. These fees include things like corkage fees, cake cutting fees, cleaning fees, permit fees and more. While these fees are likely standard and won't be waived, they're important to keep in mind as you're calculating your venue budget.

Read Contracts

Once you've selected the venue you'd like to move forward with, go through the wedding venue contract with a fine-tooth comb. Ensure you understand the payment terms and schedule, and know what you're getting for your money. If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to ask. Only sign on the dotted line when you feel 100% comfortable with the agreement.