Affordable Wedding Venues for Rent in Houston, TX

Your Guide to Renting Affordable Wedding Venues in Houston, TX

How to organize a wedding on a budget in Houston?

If you're getting married and the budget is a concern, don't be afraid to scale back! You don't have to sacrifice your dream wedding in order to save money — you just need to be smart about it. And to help you craft your vision into reality while being efficient with your money, we’re backing you up with some helpful tips that you should know when planning a wedding on a budget!

Set a wedding budget. If you’re looking to organize an inexpensive wedding in Houston, budget it up! This may sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how many couples start planning their wedding without thinking about how much they can afford to spend! Trying to plan your big day without a budget is like trying to reach a destination without a map, so it's important that you sit down with your partner and decide how much money you can realistically spend on your wedding. Take into account such crucial wedding elements as renting a wedding venue, catering, decorations, vendors, and entertainment, and try to determine the exact number you can pay for each of them. This will give you a clear view of what you can afford, hence there’ll be lower chances of exceeding your budget.

Prioritize things. Think about what is most important to you as a couple and what you can afford to give up if necessary. Some people may feel like they have to get married in an expensive venue or hire an expensive photographer, but if these elements aren't that important to you and your partner, consider cutting them from your budget. You can go for a more affordable wedding venue and ask a friend to shoot your big day. If you're more interested in having good food at your reception than dancing the night away with friends and family, consider cutting out the DJ or band and spending that money on a wedding venue that has excellent in-house catering instead.

For an inexpensive wedding, consider buying gently used items for your wedding. Doing so could save you big bucks, which you can instead put toward something you really want or need. A site such as StillWhite is a to-go space where you can find beautiful preowned wedding gowns that look like they were taken straight from the storefront. You can also search local Houston wedding groups to see if anyone has some pre-used items to sell or give away. You won't be compromising on anything except the cost!

Pick the right budget-friendly wedding venue. Renting a wedding venue is one of the major elements that determine how much you'll spend on your wedding. So make sure you pick the one that offers the most at a given price range. Schedule site visits and ask venue managers important questions about any late fees and unexpected costs. Then compare the offers, read the reviews, and pick the one that seems perfect for you. Don’t fret! Houston offers many cheap wedding venues, so you’ll surely find right one in no time!

Check out our list of 40+ Questions to Ask a Wedding Venue Before Booking that will surely come in handy when picking the cheap wedding venue in Houston!

Limit your guest list. Trimming down your guest list can effectively reduce your wedding costs — you'll have fewer people to feed and fewer favors to buy, among other savings.  You can also opt for a smaller wedding venue, which will come at a lower price as well. We know that it can be difficult to resign from inviting some of the aunts and uncles, so here’s our tip: when you're deciding who to invite, start with the A-list (your closest family and friends) and then move on to the B-list guests (people you'd like at the wedding but are less close with). Such a division will give you a hint on who you should really invite. And once you really know, draw up your ideal guest list. 

Pick an off-season date. Choose a weekday instead of a weekend. Since most weddings take place on a Saturday (and other popular days like Fridays and Sundays can also be expensive), consider hosting your wedding on any other day of the week. Wedding venues will be more likely to offer you a discount on the less popular days, as well as give attractive individual offers. Getting hitched during less popular wedding months, such as January or February, can also help you save on venue rental and catering costs. Organizing a wedding lunch or brunch is also one of the ideas for a trendy but inexpensive wedding in Houston!

Hire an amateur or student photographer instead of a pro.  You can save thousands of dollars and still end up with beautiful memories of your day. Usually, such photographers charge much less for their services because they want to establish their name on the market.  So why not give this idea a shot? Just make sure to ask for references or look at their portfolio before signing a contract with them!

Do-it-yourself invitations. Ok, maybe you're not quite the Martha Stewart type. But there are plenty of other ways to make beautiful invitations that don't require knowing how to hot-glue diamond embellishments on paper. For example, you can shop for great ready-made invitations at the stationery stores, or try a simple postcard invitation from VistaPrint. Their basic invitations start as low as $0.17 each (including postage) and can be customized with your own photos and text online before ordering them in bulk.

Choose cheaper food options. Keeping the wedding menu simple (but still delicious) can save you some extra dollars in your pocket. And trust us, your guests won’t say a thing when the food is properly made. So maybe focus on serving buffet-style meals instead of plated meals? And don’t worry, even affordable wedding venues offer delicious menu that will highlight your special day. When it comes to picking a wedding cake, consider cheaper options such as a regular cake instead of a large custom cake.

FAQs about Affordable Wedding Venues in Houston, TX

How much does it cost to rent an affordable wedding venue in Houston?

Generally, the final price a wedding venue in Houston will depend on the venue’s popularity, prestige, and what it offers. Most wedding venues offer per person packages that start at $139 per person and include basic services, such as catering, as well as tables, chairs, decorations, etc. But what a wedding package will include depends on the type of package you choose. If you’re looking for a cheap wedding space, then how about renting a wedding restaurant or a bistro? They usually charge on a minimum spend basis and the prices range from $2000 to $5000. (All data from Tagvenue.com.)

Where can you have an affordable civil wedding in Houston?

You can get married in the courthouse, Houston City Hall, or pick the location that offers ceremony services like an art gallery, museum, or a versatile wedding venue. Whatever the case, the marriage license will cost around $80. For further info, visit the city’s official website. 

Can I have a beach wedding on a budget in Houston?

You can have a beach wedding on Crystal Beach on Bolivar Peninsula. And it’s also possible to have a wedding with the waterside views! There are affordable waterfront wedding venues with views over Clear Lake in El Lago, a 30-minute drive from Downtown Houston, or Galveston Bay. The beach setting allows for less formal decor as well, such as blankets instead of chairs or using the water views as the backdrop instead of buying a wedding arch, making it a perfect option for a cheap wedding in Houston.

Where can I order a wedding cake in Houston?

There are quite a few bakeries that offer spectacular wedding cakes. One of the most popular picks among soon-to-be-wed couples are Cakes by Gina, For Heaven’s Cake, Bavarian Cakery, and Wedding Cakes by Tammy Allen. But we always suggest searching in your neighborhood. Or maybe you have your favorite bakery that will be more than happy to create a custom-made wedding cake, especially for you? If you’re organizing a wedding on a budget, make sure not to leave the cake buying to the last minute!