How To Have a Celebrity Wedding Without Breaking the Bank

Wedding planning in 2025 feels like choosing between having a dream wedding and being able to afford groceries the next month. Times are tough, money’s tight, and it’s all giving recession. But who says you can’t have a wedding that looks like it costs Kardashian money without shelling out your life savings?

Yes, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s royal wedding reportedly cost $42.8 million—and while you might not have Windsor Castle to rent out for your reception or Oprah on your guest list, you can have the glam without the financial panic attack. 

And they’re not the only ones who spent big. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas reportedly dropped $800,000 on their multi-day celebration. Kim and Kanye’s lavish Italian affair? $2.8 million. Even Paris Hilton’s recent nuptials hit the $2 million mark. 

But the good news? You can replicate those experiences without maxing out your credit cards.

Pick a Venue That Sets the Scene (Without the Price Tag)

Jason Rhee, wedding planner extraordinaire and guest on Pretty Basic, says it’s all about the canvas: “A location says everything and how you power an experience.” While celebrities rent out castles and private islands, you can achieve the same vibe by choosing a naturally stunning venue think botanical gardens, historic homes, or even a public park with a permit.

Remi Cruz shared that she and her fiancé Cal toured 80 venues before finding the one. (Yes, eighty.) But they learned something crucial: “We found places that were gorgeous but needed so much added flooring, AC, bathrooms and that racks up fast.”

“If you find a venue that already has the ambiance you want, you’re saving thousands right there,” Jason added. “The less you have to bring in, the more your budget stretches.”

Money-Saving Tip: Find a venue that already has character. To avoid rental fees, look for places with amenities (chairs, tables, lighting) included. Off-peak dates and weekdays can also slash costs by as much as 50%.

Dress the Part Without the Designer Price Tag

Serena Williams wore a $3.5 million Alexander McQueen ballgown. Priyanka Chopra had not one but four designer dresses. But you can also achieve the look without spending like a billionaire’s future wife (Lauren Sanchez is spending how much on her wedding to Jeff Bezos?!). Remi mentioned how overwhelming it was to pick a dress: “I freaked out seeing the ’12 months out’ lists. But Jason was like, ‘We’ve got this.'”

“People get caught up in the brand name,” Jason said. “But the truth is, a well-tailored $500 dress can look like $5,000 if it fits you like a glove.”

Money-Saving Tip: Sample sales, off-the-rack dresses, and secondhand sites like StillWhite and Nearly Newlywed offer designer gowns at a fraction of the price. Or, wear a sleek, simple dress and splurge on statement accessories.

Luxe Invitations? Skip the Paper, Keep the Glam

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West sent engraved gold-trimmed invitations. They’re stunning, but your guests will not frame your invitation. Jason told a hilarious Pretty Basic story about modern invites: “One couple had a QR code every guest under 40 used it. Everyone over 40 mailed the RSVP.”

“Save your money for something people will remember,” Jason added. “No one’s reminiscing about the thickness of your cardstock.”

Money-Saving Tip: Digital invites are chic, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly. If you’re a sucker for tangible invites, print a few for keepsakes and send the rest digitally.

Flowers: Big Vibe, Small Price

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban reportedly spent $250,000 on flowers. Sofia Vergara’s floral budget? An estimated $500,000. Beautiful, yes. Practical? Absolutely not. As Jason put it, “Flowers can be stunning, but it’s about impact not volume. You don’t need flowers dripping from every corner. Focus on the wow moments like your ceremony backdrop and keep everything else minimal.”

Money-Saving Tip: Choose in-season blooms and focus on statement pieces like an altar arrangement rather than covering every table. If you have one in your area, try a wholesale flower market (but be ready to get up early). You can work directly with different vendors–their flowers are unique, affordable, and locally sourced (and you can customize everything from your centerpieces to your bridal bouquet). Or, go faux! High-quality silk flowers look real in photos and can be resold on eBay or OfferUp when you’re done.

Splurge Where It Matters (Hint: Experience!)

Jason nailed it: “Anything that creates a memory that’s worth splurging on.” Meghan and Harry’s gospel choir stole the show and it didn’t cost $42 million.

“I’ve had couples do a coffee cart, a taco stand, even a live painter,” Jason said. “Those are the moments people remember not the $10 menu cards.”

Money-Saving Tip: Skip expensive favors. “No one needs a monogrammed candle,” Jason says. Instead, invest in entertainment a great DJ, a photo booth, or a unique experience.

The Guest List: Keep It Tight, Keep It Right

You love your third cousin twice removed… but do they need a seat at the reception? Meghan and Harry had 600 guests in the church and 200 for the evening party. Girl, no.

“Every guest is another plate, another chair, another glass of champagne,” Jason warned. “If you wouldn’t text them with big news, they don’t need to be there.”

Money-Saving Tip: Every guest costs money food, drinks, rentals so keep the list intimate. 

Plan for Problems (Because They Will Happen)

Remember the oyster shell debacle Jason shared on the pod? The custom place cards didn’t arrive, so they scrubbed discarded oyster shells—by hand, overnight—to save the day. (They didn’t even end up needing them, because wedding planning is chaos.)

“That’s why you have backups for your backups,” Jason laughed. “Things will go wrong. It’s just about how you handle it.”

Money-Saving Tip: Always have a Plan B. Rain plan? Check. Vendor no-show? Have backups ready. Flexibility saves both money and sanity.

Skip the “Traditions” You Don’t Care About

Garter toss? Jason says, “It’s so yikes.” Giant wedding cake? If you’re not obsessed, don’t waste $1,000. “Spend where it makes you happy,” Jason advises. “I’ve seen couples skip the cake and do donuts, cookies, or even a dessert bar. People loved it and they saved hundreds.”

Money-Saving Tip: Not huge on dessert? Swap the cake for something different. And if you don’t care about favors? Skip them entirely.

Bottom Line: Celebrity Wedding Vibes, Sensible Prices

A wedding that looks like it belongs in Vogue doesn’t have to come with a panic attack when the credit card bill arrives. As Jason told Remi, “It’s about being smart with your time and resources.”

Plan intentionally. Spend wisely. And remember your wedding is about love, not luxury. Celeb glam on a Pretty Basic budget? Done and done.