"I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a dress because I had the mindset I'm gonna wear this one time for a few hours."
Weddings are a joyous time, but they come with many expenses. The national average a couple spends on their wedding is nearly $30,000, according to a report last year from the wedding planning website The Knot.
However, according to Good Morning America, one Los Angeles couple found a way to keep costs small on their big day. In fact, Kiara and Joel Brokenbrough were able to pull everything off for just $500.
"Our goal was to just be as minimal as possible," Kiara said. "And to spend the least amount of money as possible." The main reason why they wanted to limit their budget on their big day was that they did not want to start their life together with debt.
Kiara started her wedding preparation by getting a dress for just $47 from Shein, the online store. She said, "I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a dress because I had the mindset I'm gonna wear this one time for a few hours."
She even shared her wedding dress experience in a TikTok video which has gone viral since. The pair got married on the Angeles Crest Highway, with the San Gabriel and Sierra Pelona Mountains in Southern California providing them with a stunning background.
They even limited the number of people they invited to 30 to 40 family members and close friends, given how they did not seek public permission, according to Kiara.
The couple only had to pay for chairs and the arch by themselves, since the rest were gifted by family members, reports ABC7. Kiara's godmother gifted the newlyweds flowers, while her godsister and aunt contributed a cake. Guests also paid for their own food and beverages during the reception at Misty's lounge. The party made sure to arrive right when the place opened since they didn't have a reservation.
"You have a wedding, with witnesses there to witness you, vowing to your spouse, vowing to God that you guys are going to stay together for life. And then you celebrate with food, drinks, and dance. And that's exactly what we did. The people we have there, they understood the assignment. They understood the things that we were trying to do, and they really supported us," the bride said.
As for advice to couples who want to have a great wedding on a budget, Kiara said that the most important thing is to select a location that is beautiful and free of cost so you don't have to spend money on decorations. She also added that couples must keep in mind the ultimate aim while planning their wedding, which is to just spend their entire lives with each other.
References:
https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-data-insights/real-weddings-study
https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/style/story/bride-viral-47-wedding-dress-tying-knot-500-84144316
https://www.tiktok.com/@kiarabrk/video/7076467902769073454
Cover Image Source: TikTok | @kiarabrk
