South Carolina Town Cheapest Place to Have a Wedding in the U.S.
Are you a couple planning a wedding this year? Or maybe you just recently got engaged and plan to get married next year or the year after. Or maybe you are just me and in a relationship and thinking about a potential wedding, I know a bit crazy. Either way, if you have been looking into weddings then I am sure you know how expensive it is to get married. Yes, expensive AF!
Recently, I was talking to my mom about the idea of a destination wedding. Why not save some money and go else where with some of my closest people to be able to enjoy my wedding and a unique location. While doing my research, of course, all of the cool places like Mexico, Jamaica, Europe, Costa Rica, etc. were all coming up. But, then I saw something about affordable places in the U.S. to get married. Now, is it still a destination wedding? Why yes, it is. Because it’s not where either of you live, so if people are traveling to another destination… ta-da, destination wedding.
South Carolina Wedding Location
Well, South Carolina popped up and although it’s not a far destination it was quite interesting. One South Carolina town is deemed one of the most affordable places in the U.S. to get married. Now, I know what you’re thinking… how affordable? Well, according to this article Aiken, South Carolina is one of the most affordable spots in the country to have your wedding.
If you’re a fan of the countryside, ranches, and that country glam idea for a wedding then maybe this is the spot for you. There are tons of ranches for you to host your loved ones to celebrate your big day in the Aiken area. On the list of top 10, Aiken came in at #4 making it pretty affordable compared to others. Wondering what other areas are great for an affordable wedding? Check out the full list here.
Ditching Tradition: A Look At 'Anti-Wedding' Trends
Ditching White Gowns
While most conventional wedding dresses feature white dresses with trains, a new trend has hit the scene. Many soon-to-be brides are opting for dresses with pops of color or even daring to wear the color black. Google Trends had high searches for “black wedding dress” over the past 12 months, CNN reported. In fall 2021 specifically, “black wedding dress” was searched more times than “white wedding dress” on Google. Another traditional gown switch-up is not wearing a gown at all and wearing a suit, or a romper.
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Swapping Veils For Dramatic Capes
More brides are saying goodbye to veils and going to wedding capes. Some brides just don’t find veils to be a comfortable accessory. It can easily be removed without destroying your hair and is perfect for chilly weather. We can’t forget to mention that it adds a majestic timeless feel.
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Quiet Receptions
Keeping it casual is a very bold and anti-wedding move. You can just gather your friends after an elopement and head to a restaurant to celebrate. The key to this is to make restaurant accommodations in advance and to make sure the food tastes good. You don’t want your family and friends to leave disappointed.
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Non-Wedding Activities
You may have been seeing this a lot more at weddings. People are ditching the first dance, cake-cutting, and speeches. Some people are taking a didn’t approach to the typical wedding program and stepping outside of the box. If you’re more into the idea of having board games, forming your own newlywed band performance, or non-conventional forms of activities, you should go for it.
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Minimal Decor
One anti-wedding trend that could save you some coin is scaling back on decorations. There’s always the pressure of making your wedding Instagram-worthy. But with anti-weddings, this isn’t the case. Think low-key set-up with cozy seating with an at-home feel. Some people even go as far as not having chairs at their outdoor ceremony, trading them in for blankets.
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The Chosen Ones Guest List
Keeping your guest list small is another anti-wedding trend to look into. Think about it, the more people mean a bigger venue, more food, higher costs, and higher expectations. A smaller wedding and reception makes it more intimate. It also gives you more options when it comes to budget.
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The Aisle Walk
Some people may dream of recreating the scene from Father of the Bride, but not the anti-bride. Anti-weddings often consist of walking down the aisle solo, with your pet, your mom, both parents, your soon-to-be Mr. or Mrs., or anyone other than your father. The big moment where you truly shine on your wedding day is your processional or the start of the ceremony. It’s the first time your guests and maybe even your soon-to-be spouse, will see you in your big-day attire. So, why not do it the way that you want?
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