From non-traditional reception attire to draped ceilings, you too can create a wedding experience worthy of Hollywood stars
Celebrity weddings are synonymous with opulence, extravagance, and trendsetting. However, their grandeur can often feel unattainable for everyday couples planning their big day. With a growing interest in making luxurious wedding ideas accessible, brides and grooms are looking for creative ways to add a touch of glamour without breaking the bank.
“Not only are celebrity weddings lavish displays of wealth – they also have a way of capturing the attention of the public and inspiring future brides and grooms,” says Chris Bajda, spokesperson for online wedding retailer GroomsDay. “The trick is to find budget-friendly ways to recreate those magical moments while not looking too cheesy or accidentally investing too much in trying to achieve the trend.”
GroomsDay is a one-stop online shop offering unique and personalised gifts for groomsmen and wedding parties. They’ve conducted a study to find out the top 10 celebrity wedding trends that are achievable on a budget.
The Top 10 Budget-Friendly Celebrity Wedding Trends
To conduct their study, GroomsDay scoured through wedding blogs on top wedding websites like “Hitched.co.uk” and “Junebug Weddings”. From there, they filtered out 24 of the top wedding trends with the most complete information and combined all of the data.
For cost estimates, they referenced news sites or pricing suggestion websites. Specific celebrities were also listed in each trend as they were the ones who started the trend. Budget-friendly alternative suggestions were also listed in the study to help people who are planning weddings brainstorm ideas.
- Bridal Scarves and Capes
Inspired by: Anna Sophia Robb and Trevor Paul
Grace Kelly-inspired bridal scarves and capes offer something a bit different to a bride’s look and make the whole outfit look more sophisticated. This is a great winter trend as it keeps the bride’s head and shoulders warm throughout the ceremony.
Estimated Cost Range (Affordable Version): £100 – £1,000
Budget Tip: Explore vintage shops for lace or silk scarves, ask family members, or DIY a lace shawl for a fraction of the cost.
- Colourful Reception Dress
Inspired by: Alexandra Daddario and Andrew Form
A second dress for the reception is not a revolutionary idea, but choosing something in a fun colour instead of just another shade of white is a great way for the bride to showcase her personality while she dances the night away.
Estimated Cost Range (Affordable Version): £200 – £2,500
Budget Tip: Rent a colourful gown or shop at thrift stores to find something unique and that you won’t be afraid of getting a little dirty.
- Dew Drop Veils
Inspired by: Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge
Delicate veils with resin droplets add an ethereal, sparkling effect to a bridal look. A piece of fabric this sheer seems like it would be expensive, but there are ways to create your own while staying within budget.
Estimated Cost Range (Affordable Version): £300 – £2,000
Budget Tip: Opt for veils with lace appliques or light beading for a similar effect.
- Photobooth Fun
Inspired by: Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin
Interactive photo booths bring the fun and act as a modern version of leaving disposable cameras on the tables. As the night goes on, the photos get more outrageous, making unforgettable memories to look back on.
Estimated Cost Range (Affordable Version): £400 – £1,000+
Budget Tip: Rent an interactive selfie mirror or set up a DIY booth with homemade props. You can even enlist your bridesmaids and groomsmen to have a fun craft night where they design the props for the photo booth so you don’t have to go out and buy them.
- Embroidered Gloves
Inspired by: Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham
Young celebrities have a big influence on popular trends, and as they begin to get married, their unique takes on accessories to make them stand out from the rest are sparking many to do the same thing. Personalised gloves, like those from the wedding of the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham to his actress bride, add a vintage and classy flare to bridal attire.
Estimated Cost Range (Affordable Version): £400 – £1,000+
Budget Tip: Try out some DIY embroidery or use iron-on appliques for a customised look.
- Mismatched Aisle with Pampas Grass
Inspired by: Mandy Moore and Taylor Goldsmith
Rustic aisle decor with pampas grass and boho rugs creates a dreamy aesthetic that can be brought to life without spending thousands. If you’re planning on having an outdoor wedding in an area with a lot of foliage, you can get creative with these kinds of decorations.
Estimated Cost Range (Affordable Version): £450 – £1,200
Budget Tip: Source thrifted rugs and bulk-buy pampas grass or dried flowers online.
- At-Home Weddings
Inspired by: Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez
Although this used to be common practice in the past, not as many people think to use their own backyards for intimate weddings anymore. But superstars like Ariana Grande have chosen to go back to the basics and have their weddings at home. This is one of the few trends on the list that is actually designed to save you money if you do it right.
Estimated Cost Range (Affordable Version): £500 – £5,000
Budget Tip: Use existing furniture and incorporate DIY decor for a cosy and vintage vibe.
- Gilded Gothic Glamour at the Altar
Inspired by: Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker
Leave it to a Kardashian to start a fashion trend – and who better than the oldest sibling? When Kourtney appeared on the covers of magazines in a mini dress with a gigantic veil embroidered with the Virgin Mary, she nearly broke the internet. Now, couples planning their weddings are looking to have Gothic-inspired decor with gold accents as they create a dramatic, elegant setting with a hint of spookiness.
Estimated Cost Range (Affordable Version): £550 – £1,800
Budget Tip: Thrift candelabras and mirrors, then spray-paint them gold for a luxe finish.
- Mirrored Ceremony Aisle
Inspired by: Paris Hilton and Carter Reum
Paris Hilton has been making headlines for over two decades now, so it was expected that her wedding would spark inspiration around the world. Her mirrored ceremony aisle created a stunning, reflective effect that made the aisle look bigger than it was and took the idea of luxury up a notch.
Estimated Cost Range (Affordable Version): £600 – £2,500
Budget Tip: Rent reflective fabric or use a mirrored aisle runner alternative for a similar aesthetic without the high cost.
- Draped Fabric Ceiling
Inspired by: Britney Spears and Sam Asghari
A ceiling draped in pink fabric creates a romantic ambiance, perfect for a reception that feels like a fairytale. Britney Spears spared no expense to have this pink, dreamlike ceiling fabric, but you can recreate it without spending your whole wedding budget.
Estimated Cost Range (Affordable Version): £600 – £3,000
Budget Tip: Use fabric panels for partial draping or rent lightweight materials like tulle and hire a pro only for complex installations.
Chris Bajda, spokesperson for GroomsDay, comments:
“Celebrity weddings inspire everyday people to dream big, but creating a memorable and glamorous celebration doesn’t have to come with an extravagant price tag. By focusing on details that can be done by hand and embracing creative, budget-friendly alternatives, couples can achieve an aesthetic worthy of the stars without overspending. Whether it’s a mirrored aisle, a colourful reception dress, or DIY decor with the help of friends, you can personalise these trends to reflect your style and do it all while keeping costs manageable. With a bit of ingenuity, any wedding can feel like a celebrity event.”
