You don’t have to go broke or become a year-long bridezilla to sanctify that commitment to the one you love. With the national average for a wedding in the $30,000 range, financial stress alone can mean a rough start.
Couples are saying yes to the budget-friendly, easy-to-plan, outdoor weddings that first became popular during the pandemic, and it’s inspired a new approach to the wedding planning business.
Cakewalk, a Brooklyn-based getaway planning company, can help you seal the deal for as little as $3,000 and with just a few days’ notice.
“All you need is 36 hours to bring it back to New York City,” said founder Lia Seremetis.
She was inspired to help others after being completely overwhelmed. “My wedding planning process took twice as long as the wedding itself,” she said. “I’ve seen many friends go into the process to have something low-key and intimate, only to end up with a big wedding that broke the bank.”
Cakewalk has almost tripled their bookings since launch in 2023, a clear indication that couples need and want alternatives. And no place is unreachable. If you can dream it, you can have it. “The coolest, most fun place we’ve ever had a wedding was at the Broadway show, ‘Moulin Rouge! Musical about a Broadway-obsessed couple,” said Seremetis. “They got married before the show started and all the participants and the audience were cheering.”
Another option for the instant wedding experience is to opt for an all-inclusive package that includes all the bells and whistles, but without all the fuss. In 2016, industry veteran Michele Velazquez founded Pop the Knot, an award-winning company that offers couples a little more than a court.
“What I’ve learned is that there are a whole bunch of brides who need quick and easy pop-up weddings for different reasons,” she said. “Our packages include a unique venue, photographer, officiant, bouquet and boutonniere, with additional enhancements as needed.”
Pop the Knot has expanded to 14 cities with packages that fit every budget, starting at $1,615.
If you’re going it alone, consider hiring a freelance photographer through Shoott, an online platform that connects clients with snappers in over 60 cities. Prices start at $495 for the first hour, $300 for each additional hour. After booking, you will receive a digital gallery where you choose and pay only for what you like.
Backyard weddings became all the rage during COVID, but to raise money, consider renting an iconic Airstream. The movable shiny metal geo-dome structure can be used for a bridal prep station, centerpiece photo booth, or a makeshift bar.
You can usually find them at online retailers like Outdoorsy or Airbnb, starting at $150 a night, while Riveting Stories, a family-run Airstream rental company based in Bucks County, Penn., has a vintage fleet from the 1940s to the 70s.
And if you want to get married inexpensively, albeit with hundreds of strangers, consider The Wedding: New York’s Biggest Day at Lincoln Center. It was originally launched in 2022 for couples who had to postpone or cancel their wedding due to the pandemic.
“Participants appear in their wedding best, in an array of wedding dresses, saris and more, creating a beautiful tapestry of colorful, multicultural clothing with a personal touch, all celebrating love,” said Rosie Marinelli, manager of senior communications for Lincoln. Center.
This year’s date has yet to be determined, but expect special guests, live musical performances and faith leaders, who will all come together to sanctify and celebrate love.
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Image Source : nypost.com