~~Real Talk from an Asheville Wedding Planner Who Gets It

Let’s clear something up: luxury doesn’t mean overpriced. Luxury is all about quality design, intention, and a beautiful experience for you and your guests. And if done right, then yes, you can achieve all that without blowing your wedding budget! 

Here are my real-life, realistic wedding budget tips for getting the luxe wedding look (without the six-figure price tag):

1. Choose Your Wedding Venue with Your Event Planner

If you’re flexible on location, I suggest picking your planner before locking in the venue. A planner who knows the area (like I do in Asheville!) can guide you toward venues that already include upgraded rentals—think nice chairs, real glassware, full-service packages, and reliable staff. That alone can save you thousands in rentals and logistics. And it can reduce time spent finding the perfect venue. 

2. Don’t Overlook the Chairs!

Seriously. Chairs might seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of things, but they can dramatically impact your wedding’s aesthetic. From ruining photos and cheapening an otherwise beautiful setup, ugly chairs can bring down the whole look of the venue. Either choose a venue that already has stylish seating or factor in upgraded chairs from the start. Trust me, you can scale back on big floral installs and still get a high-end vibe with great chairs and simple bud vases.

3. Use Pre-Made Wedding Stationery Suites

Custom invitations are both extremely personal and stunning—but expensive. There are so many beautiful semi-custom suite options out there now where you can just plug in your wedding details and print. These can save you time, money, and frustration, while still looking designer-level for your luxury wedding.

Luxury is a feeling—not a price tag.

Simply put, it’s about thoughtful planning, smart choices, and knowing where to put your money. If you’re strategic, you can absolutely have a luxe wedding that looks like a million bucks without spending it. Affordable luxury weddings are feasible!