How to Plan a Budget Wedding That Still Feels Like Your Dream Intimate Wedding

If there’s one thing Karen & Sam taught me, it’s that your wedding can feel like a full-on dream wedding without draining your savings account. Their Palos Verdes wedding at Malaga Cove Library was proof that you can have an intimate, meaningful day that’s packed with personality, all while being smart with your budget!

Bride and groom under the veil, foreheads touching during an intimate wedding.

Flat lay of wedding details including rings, embroidered handkerchief, shoes, flowers, and invitation for an intimate wedding.

Bride and groom crossing the street hand in hand toward a stone wall and building.

When we first talked, they knew exactly what mattered most to them: photos, flowers, and food. Everything else? They didn’t overthink it. Instead, they put their energy (and budget) into those top three priorities, and the rest fell into place naturally. This made their day not only gorgeous but also stress-free, and isn’t that exactly how you want your wedding to feel?! (There’s only one right answer.)

Bride lifting her dress slightly while walking barefoot on the grass next to the groom.

Why a Budget Wedding Can Still Feel Luxurious

Keeping your wedding focused on what matters most doesn’t mean cutting corners; it means spending smart. When you put your resources toward the things that truly matter to you, your day feels way more personal and meaningful! (And you can splurge on what you love instead of everything!)

Groom and bride walking down the street, holding hands and smiling back toward the camera during an intimate wedding.

Close-up of bride and groom walking hand in hand, her veil trailing behind.

For Karen and Sam, this meant investing in the experiences and details they cared about most, like their photographer, the food, the flowers, the vibe, and thoughtful touches that told their story. They didn’t waste time or money on stuff that didn’t speak to them.

When you focus on intentional spending instead of just cutting costs, you’re able to create a day that feels luxurious in the ways that matter most to you. It’s not about doing less, it’s about doing what you love more. Here’s exactly how to make that happen!

Bride and groom holding hands and gazing at each other in front of a stone fountain during their intimate wedding.

Bride holding a bouquet of peach, pink, and white flowers while smiling at the camera.

Bride walking up behind groom for their first look moment outside.

Groom smiling as he walks near the ceremony space during an intimate wedding.

Step One: Choose the Right Wedding Venue

The number one thing I tell couples who want an intimate wedding to feel luxurious, is to choose your venue wisely. Your location sets the entire tone for your day and can do a lot of the “decorating” for you!

Bride and groom sharing a first look in front of a pale blue building.

Bride holding bouquet while standing beside the groom during an intimate wedding.

Groom smiling at bride while standing together in front of a fountain during an intimate wedding.

Karen & Sam chose the Malaga Cove Library in Palos Verdes, which had charm built right in. It was warm, inviting, and already beautiful without the need for tons of extra decor. Between the natural light and the elegant architecture (not to mention the surrounding greenery), the venue itself felt elevated without breaking the bank. This allowed them to keep decorations minimal and still have that wow factor.

Pro tip: Look for venues that have personality and natural beauty so you’re not spending thousands just to make the space feel like “you.”

Groom standing in front of a white building with stone steps during an intimate wedding.

Groom smiling at the bride during their first look by a stone wall and greenery.

Bride holding up her gown to reveal lace wedding shoes during an intimate wedding.

Bride and groom walking toward the Malaga Cove Library together.

Step Two: Invest in What You Love Most

One of the best decisions Karen & Sam made was prioritizing their photos, flowers, and food.

They had floral arrangements that felt vibrant and personal without being over the top (think timeless blooms with a little bit of whimsical vibes), which was the perfect balance for a budget wedding that still feels luxurious!

Close-up of bride holding a bouquet of white, peach, and blush flowers.

Table decorated with pastel flowers, appetizers, chips, and guacamole during an intimate wedding.

For food, Pocha LA delivered a meal that had people going back for seconds. Choosing a caterer that focuses on quality over quantity made every bite super memorable! (Also, who doesn’t love chips and guac as an appetizer?!)

And of course, they booked a SoCal wedding photographer (yours truly!) who could capture every detail, big and small. From the floral textures to the golden-hour light, they knew their memories would be preserved exactly how they felt in the moment! I might be biased, but your photos truly are going to be the most important takeaway, so investing in someone you love is so important!

Table setting with colorful floral arrangement, chips, guacamole, and appetizers.

Bride and groom kissing under a floral ceremony arch surrounded by greenery.

Bride reading her vows to the groom beneath a flower-covered arch during their intimate wedding.

Step Three: Savor the Little Moments

Sometimes the most unforgettable parts of a wedding day aren’t on the timeline!

For Karen & Sam, one of those moments happened right after dinner. We slipped away from the reception and wandered over to the library green. The sun was dipping low, the air felt light, and all the nerves from the day had completely melted away (this is honestly my favorite part of the wedding day for photos!)

They twirled, laughed, and just existed together, spinning around like kids. It wasn’t staged; it was simply them soaking in the joy of the day!

Bride and groom sharing a kiss in the garden during their intimate wedding.

Close-up of groom’s arms wrapped around the bride’s waist in an intimate wedding embrace.

Bride and groom walking hand in hand across a grassy lawn, her gown flowing behind.

Step Four: Scale Down the Guest List

Intimate weddings are all about connection. By keeping the guest count smaller, Karen & Sam were able to spend actual quality time with their people, no quick “hello” before rushing off to the next thing.

Guests gathered and chatting under string lights during an intimate wedding.

Guests seated before the ceremony begins, chatting quietly in the garden.

Bride hugging a guest while holding her bouquet, surrounded by friends and family.

Guests smiling and talking outdoors during an intimate wedding celebration.

And when the reception started, there was this beautiful moment where everyone sat down together. Karen & Sam took a second to just look around. They saw the people they love most, eating, laughing, and enjoying themselves. You could actually see them taking it all in, and it was the sweetest thing to witness!

Bride and groom seated at their reception table under hanging greenery, looking out at guests.

Long banquet table decorated with pastel flower arrangements for an intimate wedding.

Step Five: Work With Vendors Who Match Your Priorities

When you’re planning a budget wedding, your vendors are everything. Karen & Sam didn’t just hire people they liked, they chose ones who truly aligned with their vision and values!

Their venue, Malaga Cove Library, was the perfect venue for an intimate celebration with its historic charm and cozy, garden-like feel. For dinner, they went with Pocha LA, a choice that not only wowed guests with incredible food but also brought a personal, homey vibe to the evening.

Ceremony aisle lined with wooden chairs leading to a floral arch during an intimate wedding.

Guest picking up a shrimp appetizer with cucumber on a chip.

Dessert was courtesy of Viktor Benes Bakery, a Manhattan Beach favorite that delivered a cake both beautiful and delicious. Karen’s dress came from Mon Amie Bridal, timeless and perfect for her style, while Sam’s classic suit was from Brooks Brothers. They even tied the knot (literally) with wedding bands from Catbird, a meaningful detail that felt like them in every way.

Bride walking across the lawn holding her bouquet of white, peach, and blue flowers.

Close-up of three-tiered wedding cake with pastel flowers during an intimate wedding.

Groom in a navy suit waiting for the bride near a stone fountain.

Step Six: Make Your Budget Work For You

Here’s the thing: a budget wedding isn’t about cutting all the fun stuff. It’s about making intentional choices!

If you’re starting to plan your intimate wedding, I highly recommend checking out The Knot Budget Advisor: Your Realistic Wedding Budget Planner for even more creative ways to make your day beautiful without overspending where you don’t want to!

Karen & Sam skipped certain extras (like elaborate rentals or expensive favors) so they could put that money toward things that truly mattered to them. They found ways to DIY smaller elements, reuse ceremony florals at the reception, and take advantage of their venue’s built-in charm!

White welcome sign with pastel flowers reading “Karen & Sam” during an intimate wedding.

Photo booth table setup with instant camera, pens, and floral arrangements.

By the time the day rolled around, nothing felt “missing”; it just felt like them. When you’re planning your wedding, it’s easy to feel pressured into all the things and vendors everyone swears by, but if it doesn’t matter to you, it doesn’t need to be included in your day!

Bride wiping away tears during the wedding ceremony in front of a floral arch.

Close-up of floral arch with peach, pink, and white blooms during an intimate wedding.

The couple stands under a lush floral arch during the ceremony, laughing together in the moment.

Step Seven: Remember Why You’re Doing This

It’s so easy to get caught up in Pinterest boards and Instagram inspo. But at the end of the day, your wedding should feel like a celebration of your relationship, not a production for social media!

Karen & Sam nailed this. Their day was full of love, laughter, and intentional choices that made it feel personal and true to who they are. And guess what? That’s what made it unforgettable!

The bride and groom share their first dance, smiling warmly as they hold each other close on the dance floor during their intimate wedding.

The bride holds an instant camera, capturing a photo with her veil flowing down her back at their intimate wedding.

Final Thoughts

Karen & Sam’s wedding proves that a budget wedding can still feel intentional and personal! When you focus on the moments that matter most, like being surrounded by the people you love, savoring incredible food, and sneaking away for a little newlywed time, you end up with a day that feels truly like you. And, you still get to splurge on the things you love rather than overspending on everything!

A black-and-white photo captures the bride twirling in her gown with guests smiling in the background at this intimate wedding.

If you’re starting to plan your intimate wedding on a budget, I recommend checking out The Knot’s Blog: Here’s How to Stick to Your Wedding Budget! Pair that with a photographer who understands your vision (hi, that’s me!), and you’ll have everything you need to make it happen!

A blurred, energetic shot shows the couple dancing among their guests during their intimate wedding celebration.

The bride dances playfully with a young boy, holding his hands as they smile.

Book Your SoCal Wedding Photographer

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels entirely you, one where you get to save on what matters less and go all out on what matters most, I’d love to capture it all. I’ll document your day in a way that lets you relive every laugh, every happy tear, and every little moment for years to come!

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And if you're into film photography… keep scrolling to see the beautiful, authentic film images from Karen & Sam’s budget-friendly day!