$5000 Wedding Budget Calculator
Plan your dream wedding without breaking the bank. This calculator uses real examples from the article to help you stay under $5000.
Pro Tip: Focus on what matters most: connection, personal touches, and memories that last. The article shows you how to save on costs without sacrificing meaning.
Total Budget: $0
You don’t need to spend $20,000 to have a wedding that feels meaningful and beautiful. I’ve seen couples in Auckland pull off full-day weddings for under $5000 - not because they cut corners, but because they focused on what actually mattered. The flowers weren’t imported from Europe. The cake wasn’t three tiers. But the room still felt warm, the music still made people dance, and the photos? They still made their grandparents cry. Here’s how to do it without the stress.
Start with the venue - it eats up half your budget
Venues are the biggest money drain. A banquet hall in Auckland can cost $3000 just for the space. Skip it. Look at public parks like Cornwall Park or the Auckland Domain. You can get a permit for under $150. Libraries, community centers, and even backyard weddings work too. Some churches offer free or low-cost use if you’re not members - just ask. I know a couple who got married under the trees at Mt. Eden Reserve. They paid $80 for the permit, rented folding chairs for $120, and used string lights they bought off Trade Me for $45. That’s $245 total for the whole space.
Decorations don’t need to be fancy - they need to be personal
People remember how you made them feel, not whether the centerpieces had imported orchids. Use what’s already around you. In spring, native flax and pohutukawa branches make gorgeous, free arrangements. Collect pinecones in the winter and spray-paint them gold. Hang paper lanterns from tree branches. Borrow mason jars from friends and fill them with candles. One bride I know used old books she’d collected over years as table numbers. Each book had a note inside: “This is the book we read on our first date.” Guests kept them. No one remembered the price tag.
Forget rented floral arches. Make your own with wire hangers, twine, and dried flowers from the farmers market. A bouquet of dried lavender and eucalyptus costs $15. You can make five for under $100. Tie them with ribbon from your old wedding dress (yes, that one you never wore). People will remember the story, not the cost.
Food and drink: Keep it simple, keep it local
You don’t need a five-course meal. A buffet of roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and roasted veggies from a local butcher costs about $15 per person. Add a cheese platter with local cheddar and crackers - $200 for 50 guests. For drinks, skip the open bar. Offer one signature cocktail - maybe a gin fizz with local honey - and have wine and beer on tap. A keg costs $120 and serves 50. Add water stations with lemon slices. Total food and drink? Under $1000.
And if you’re brave, ask a friend who cooks well to help. One groom’s cousin made lasagna and salad for 40 people. They gave her $300 and a bottle of wine. That’s cheaper than a caterer and way more heartfelt.
Attire: Rent, borrow, or buy secondhand
You don’t need to spend $2000 on a dress. Check out Facebook Marketplace, local bridal consignment shops, or even thrift stores. I’ve seen brides find stunning gowns for $150 that looked brand new. Alterations? $80 at a local seamstress. The groom? A suit from Warehouse or even a well-fitted shirt and dark trousers. Tie? $20. Shoes? $50. Total for both outfits? Under $500.
Photography: Hire a student or friend with a good camera
You don’t need a $3000 photographer. Find a photography student from AUT or Unitec. They’re building their portfolio and will work for $500-$800 for 4-6 hours. Give them a list of must-have shots - first kiss, cake cutting, grandparents dancing - and they’ll deliver. One couple hired a student who posted their photos on Instagram. They got 200+ images, all edited, and the photographer got a free wedding cake. Everyone won.
Music: Skip the DJ, play a playlist
A DJ can cost $800. A Bluetooth speaker? $100. Make a playlist with songs that mean something to you. Start with your first dance song. Add a few upbeat tracks for the dance floor. Play a quiet acoustic set during dinner. You can even ask a friend who plays guitar to perform two songs. That’s $0 for music, plus a memory.
Invitations: Go digital
Printed invites cost $3-$5 each. For 50 guests, that’s $150-$250. Use Canva to design a free digital invite. Send it via email or WhatsApp. Add a link to a free RSVP site like AllSeated or Google Forms. You’ll save $200 and get instant responses. Plus, you can update the details if the weather changes - no wasted paper.
What to skip without guilt
- Favors - no one keeps them. A handwritten thank-you note means more.
- Wedding planner - you can do this yourself with a checklist and a calendar.
- Limousine - Uber or a friend with a nice car works fine.
- Photo booth - just set up a corner with a backdrop and your phone on a tripod.
- Multiple cake tiers - one cake, beautifully decorated, is enough.
Sample $5000 budget breakdown
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Venue (park permit + chairs) | $250 |
| Decorations (DIY, dried flowers, candles, lights) | $400 |
| Food & Drinks (buffet, keg, wine) | $950 |
| Attire (dress, suit, shoes) | $450 |
| Photography (student) | $700 |
| Music (speaker + playlist) | $100 |
| Invitations (digital) | $0 |
| Cake (one tier) | $150 |
| Permits, insurance, parking | $200 |
| Contingency fund | $1000 |
That’s $4200. You’ve got $800 left. Use it for something that matters to you - maybe a live acoustic set, a surprise fireworks show, or a donation to a charity in your parents’ names. It’s not about spending the whole budget. It’s about spending wisely.
What most people get wrong
The biggest mistake? Trying to copy Pinterest. You don’t need lace table runners from Etsy. You don’t need hand-painted signs. You don’t need to match every color to the exact Pantone code. Real weddings aren’t staged. They’re messy. Someone spills wine. The cake gets a little crooked. The dog barks during the vows. That’s not a flaw - that’s the story you’ll tell in 20 years.
Focus on connection. Make sure your parents sit together. Let your cousin sing. Let your grandma dance with your uncle even if he’s not great at it. Those moments cost nothing - and they’re the only things people remember.
Can you really have a wedding for $5000 in New Zealand?
Yes. Many couples in Auckland and Wellington do it every year. The key is choosing free or low-cost venues, skipping expensive vendors, and focusing on personal touches instead of luxury items. With smart planning, $5000 covers everything from permits to cake.
What’s the most expensive part of a wedding?
The venue and catering. Together, they often take up 60-70% of most budgets. By switching to a public park and a simple buffet, you can cut those costs by 75% or more.
Do guests notice if a wedding is cheap?
No - not if it feels authentic. Guests care about whether you were happy, whether the music made them want to dance, and whether they felt welcome. They don’t care if the napkins were linen or paper. In fact, many say they prefer smaller, more personal weddings.
How do you save on wedding flowers?
Use seasonal, local, and dried flowers. In spring, use native pohutukawa or flax. In autumn, use kowhai branches. Buy bulk dried flowers from Trade Me or local markets. Make your own arrangements. A bouquet of dried lavender costs under $10. You can make 10 for under $100.
Should you hire a wedding planner on a $5000 budget?
No. A planner typically costs $1500-$3000. You can plan your own wedding with a free Google Calendar, a checklist, and a few help from friends. Save that money for a honeymoon or a down payment on a house.
Next steps if you’re serious about a $5000 wedding
- Write down your top 3 non-negotiables - what matters most to you? (e.g., dancing, family, food)
- Book your venue 6-8 months ahead - parks fill up fast.
- Start collecting decor items now - thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, and garage sales are goldmines.
- Ask friends if they can help with music, photography, or cooking - many want to contribute.
- Set up a shared Google Sheet to track every dollar spent. Stick to the budget.
There’s no rule that says weddings have to cost a fortune. The best ones are the ones where love shows up - not the price tag.
