Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 20 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.
How to Create a Wedding That Feels Like You—Even If You’re on a Budget
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear as a wedding planner is that a meaningful, beautifully personalized wedding requires an enormous budget. Let me say this clearly – your wedding doesn’t have to be expensive to be unforgettable, it just has to feel like YOU.
Some of the most heartfelt, memorable weddings we’ve planned were not the ones with the biggest decor budget or the fanciest venue. They were the ones where the couple’s personality, story, and priorities were woven intentionally into every part of the day. So if you’re trying to design a meaningful celebration without breaking the bank, here’s exactly how to do it.
#01: Start With What Matters Most. Before you think about decor, colors, budgets, or timelines, start with this essential question: What do you want your wedding to feel like? Not what it looks like, but you want it to feel like.
Ask yourselves the following questions:
Do you want to be cozy and intimate?
Lively and high-energy?
Nature-inspired and relaxed?
Elegant and classic?
Joyful and playful?
Starting with feelings ensures every decision supports your vision instead of working against it. We recommend you and your partner write down 3–5 words that describe your ideal wedding atmosphere. These become your guide for the entire planning process.
#02: Set Your Priorities (This Is Your Secret Budget Weapon). When you’re on a budget, this step is golden. You will need to sit down with your partner and choose your top three priorities as a couple. Examples may include:
Photographer
Live musician
Great Food
Personal Vows
A specific venue
A custom ceremony backdrop
An open bar
A big dance party feel
Once you know your priorities, you can invest more there, and save on things that matter less to you. Your priorities don’t have to be traditional. If your must haves are a smaller venue with pizza, a stellar DJ, and a champagne tower, build around that!
#03: Choose a Venue That Does the Work for You. Venues are often the biggest wedding expense, but they’re also the biggest opportunity to save. Be sure to look for venues with natural beauty or character. Think about a garden with blooming flowers, or a charming historic building that you love. Venues can be a brewery with great ambiance or even a cozy backyard space. Think outside of the box with a modern industrial space with natural light, or a pavilion nestled on a lakeside. All of these options require minimal decor to look stunning. If you are on a tight budget, avoid blank slate venues. They are beautiful, but expensive once you add lighting, draping, florals, rentals, etc.
#04: Lean Into Your Story: It’s Your Most Valuable Asset. If you want your wedding to feel personal, start with you and your partner. Your story together is free, and it’s the easiest way to infuse meaning. Here are some creative, budget friendly ways to highlight it:
Your Ceremony. Write your own vows. Or have a friend or relative officiate your ceremony. Be sure to include cultural, religious, or symbolic rituals, and share a reading that reflects who you are together as a couple.
Your Decor. Your decor can be built around your story as a couple. Display photos from throughout your relationship. You can use personal items from your home, such as vases, candles, or even framed quotes. Think about incorporating meaningful heirlooms.
Your Music. Your playlist can tell your story beautifully. Maybe it’s songs from your first roadtrip, or music from your favorite concert you attended as a couple. Or perhaps, it’s your childhood favorite as a nod to your family.
Your Menu. Food is one of the most memorable, and delicious, wedding details. You’ll want to consider dishes inspired by your heritage. Desserts that remind you of your first date, or a signature drink named about your pet.
All of these touches cost a little, but make your day feel deeply personal.
#05: Design a Wedding Style Without Overspending. You don’t need a full-service floral install or luxury rentals to create a beautiful aesthetic.
Pick one to two standout decor elements and go minimal, but intentional with your decor. Instead of trying to upgrade everything, choose one focal area:
A floral arch
Statement table centerpieces
A meaningful ceremony backdrop
An epic sweetheart table setup
A photo display wall
These high impact moments shape the vibe, and guests won’t notice if the rest is intentionally simple.
Here’s where you can save:
Use candles instead of elaborate florals
Mix bud vases with greenery for inexpensive but elegant tables
Reuse ceremony decor for the reception
Opt for DIY signage using Canva templates
Incorporate thrifted or borrowed décor
Lighting is one of the most budget-friendly ways to elevate a space. Candles, string lights, lanterns, and uplights create instant ambiance.
#06: Make Your Guests Feel Welcome (It Doesn’t Cost Much). A personal wedding isn’t just about decor, it’s about connection. Here are some low-cost ways to make guests feel included and valued.
Personalized Notes. Leave handwritten notes at tables or in welcome bags. Even a short message goes a long way.
A Warm Welcome Table. Create a display with photos, a guest book (traditional or alternative), a welcome sign or a meaningful quote or message.
Thoughtful Favors. Skip pricey favors guests forget and choose simple, usable options can be homemade treats, mini candles, seed packets, locally made goodies, or a late night snack to-go bag. It’s the thoughtfulness, not the price, that guests remember.
#07: Rethink the Reception Format. Traditional weddings can be beautiful, but they’re not the only option and sometimes they’re not the most cost effective. Here are alternatives that can help you save while still creating an unforgettable experience.
A cocktail-style reception. Smaller plates, lounge seating, mingling-friendly atmosphere.
A brunch or lunch wedding. Food and venue is significantly cheaper.
A dessert and dancing celebration. Perfect for couples who want a party without a full meal.
Intimate micro-weddings. Spend meaningfully on fewer guests for a more personalized experience.
Don’t choose a cheaper format just to save. Choose the format that matches your personality and the budget benefit will follow naturally.
#07: DIY Where It Makes Sense (And Only Where It Makes Sense!). DIY can be a money saver or a stress monster. The key is choosing strategically. There are a lot of great DIY options, like table numbers, ceremony programs, simple centerpieces, favors, welcome bags, or signage. But, you’ll want to avoid DIY-ing your photography, food, major floral arrangements (unless you love floral design and have ample support), venue setup without a coordinator, or anything that requires special tools or lots of your time prior to the wedding. Remember, If it adds stress or takes away from enjoying your day, it’s not worth the savings.
#08: Hire the Right Support, Within Your Budget. You don’t need a full service wedding planner to create a personal, cohesive wedding. Even hiring a day of wedding coordinator can transform your experience. They help by:
Managing your timeline
Running logistics
Setting up decor
Coordinating vendors
Solving problems quietly
This frees you up to actually experience the wedding you worked so hard to create.
#09: Remember: Personal OVER Pinterest Perfect. The weddings that feel the most heartfelt aren’t the ones that look like a curated inspiration board, they’re the ones shaped by authenticity. If you love bright colors, don’t force neutrals. If you want tacos instead of a plated dinner, go for it.If you prefer a backyard gathering over a ballroom, embrace it. If you want mismatched vintage chairs or thrifted decor, make it happen.
Your wedding should feel like stepping into your world, not someone else’s, or social media’s idea of “wedding perfection.”
Creating a wedding that feels like you is absolutely possible on any budget. In fact, constraints can often spark the most creativity, authenticity, and meaning. Focus on your story as a couple, your priorities, your people, and the atmosphere you want to create. And let everything else support, not overshadow, the love you’re celebrating.
Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 20 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.
How to Blend Two Cultures or Traditions into One Beautiful Wedding Day
Planning a wedding is a deeply personal experience. But, when two people from different cultural or religious backgrounds come together, that special day can become even more meaningful. Blending traditions is not just about compromise, but it’s about celebrating where you each come from and creating a unique fusion that represents your shared, new future together.
Whether you are mixing languages, foods, dress codes, or ceremony traditions, the goal is the same – to honor your roots while creating something new and beautiful, together. So, here is how to create a harmonious, inclusive, and unforgettable diverse wedding day.
STEP 1: Make a shared list of the most important cultural or spiritual elements you’d love to include on your wedding day.
The first step is to start with open and honest conversations. To blend traditions, is to understand what matters most to each of you. You will want to leave opportunities to have open and honest conversations about what matters, for your cultural and religious values. Discuss with your partner what traditions are non-negotiable. Which ones feel optional or can be adapted? Be sure to talk to your families. Especially, if their expectations are high or they have an emotional investment. Be honest, listen with respect. Set the tone for communication and mutual respect.
STEP 2: Educate and Communicate with each other and your guests.
Often your guests may not be familiar with the traditions involved in your wedding celebration or cultures. Use your wedding as an opportunity to educate and share your culture with your guests. Include a guide on your wedding website, or wedding program to explain specific ceremony/reception rituals and/or attire. Include a short description of what each portion means and its symbolism. This will help everyone feel included and creates an engaging experience.
STEP 3: Find vendors that align with your traditions and are culturally sensitive.
One of the best things you can do while planning, is to choose vendors who align, are experienced, and respect your traditions. Look for photographers, planners, caterers, make-up artists and officiants who have experience working with different cultures. Selecting vendors that align with your values and cultural needs, will ensure that they will be able to help keep the day running smoothly. If you’re not sure – ask your vendors if they’ve worked with multicultural weddings and how they approach blending traditions respectfully.
STEP 4: Create a thoughtful timeline.
We’ve coordinated all different kinds of weddings, including multicultural weddings. What we’ve learned is that sometimes multiple traditions mean doubling up on ceremonies or events. Instead of cramming everything into one day, you may want to consider celebrating over a weekend. You can always host your traditional ceremony on day one, followed by your western-style ceremony and reception on day two. If you keep it all in one day, you want to consider a hybrid ceremony, or having a smaller intimate gathering for your traditional cultural ceremony in the morning. You can walk down the aisle in a white dress, change into traditional attire for the reception, or even combine rituals into a personalized ceremony.
STEP 5: Blend your traditions creatively - you don’t have to choose one tradition over another.
When you blend your families and traditions, it does not mean that you have to choose a tradition over another. You must work to find thoughtful ways to combine both. Here are creative ways to combine both.
Mix readings or blessings from both cultures or religions
Light a unity candle, followed by a cultural ritual like a garland exchange etc.
Walk down the aisle to traditional music, then exit with a western-style, modern twist.
Wear traditional, and then change into modern outfits.
Encourage your wedding party to wear outfits representing both cultures.
Combine both cuisines into a diverse wedding menu or offer stations for each.
Serve signature cocktails that are inspired by your cultures.
Include a group dance or solo inspired by your culture.
STEP 6: Honor your Elders and your Ancestry
Weddings are not only about the couple, but it is a tribute and celebration of family history and the legacy they live. Weddings are the perfect time to honor your elders, even if your elders are not present. During toasts, or as you greet your guests with the opening welcome, include a blessing or a moment of silence for your loved ones. Be sure to incorporate heirlooms, like jewelry, fabric, or traditional items into your ceremony and attire. Family members may want to perform or read something meaningful from your culture. This inclusion adds connection that goes far beyond any decor or aesthetics.
STEP 7: Your wedding does not have to follow any rule book.
Just because you have chosen to honor your tradition, doesn’t mean you can’t be modern, playful, or creative. Write your own vows that reflect your journey. Incorporate phrases, or words from your native tongues. You can even customize your decor to fuse both cultures. But, most importantly. This day is about you as a couple. Let your love story be the common thread that ties it all together.
STEP 8: Your goal isn’t to please everyone.
When families of two different backgrounds come together, you may encounter some friction. Not everyone may understand or appreciate each tradition equally, and that is okay. Your goal isn’t to please everyone. It is to celebrate love, unity, and respect. You and your partner will need to stay grounded in your purpose and be flexible. If something doesn’t go exactly as planned, that is okay. Embrace it as a part of your overall journey.
A multicultural or interfaith wedding isn’t just a celebration of love between two people. It is a celebration of where you both came from, how you grew up, and the life you are building together. When you approach your wedding planning with intention, openness and creatively, your wedding can be a magnificent bridge between two families and cultures that leave a lasting impression on everyone. So, whether you’re tying the knot under a chuppah, or dance the Hawaiian wedding song for your partner, your wedding can be as rich and as meaningful as the love that brought you together. You wedding day is about you and your partner – so make it just that.
Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 20 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.