An Affordable DIY Wedding near Charlottesville, Virginia

Planning an intimate and affordable DIY wedding outside of Charlottesville, Virginia is entirely possible, especially for couples with imagination and limited budget. At the Indigo House, couples have fun creating a personal and relaxed backyard celebration at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Not sure about what you can afford?

We’ve got you! Many couples love our Micro Wedding because it gives them time and flexibility to bring their vision to life, a DIY-ers’ dream come true. Those short on time and tight on budget choose the Ceremony Only package because most of the vendors are included in the price. Untraditional couples obsessed with epic pictures and private moments enjoy our Adventure Elopement.

But all the options can feel overwhelming and services add up quickly.

That’s why we’re sharing a sample budget for a wedding at the Indigo. Whether you have other plans for your money or multiple ceremonies to plan, we know staying on a budget really adds up in the long run… And we’re all about finding ways to save money without sacrificing experience.

Ready to start planning your intimate backyard wedding? Keep reading for inspiration, sample pricing, and general tips for an affordable, DIY wedding near Charlottesville, Virginia.

DIY affordable wedding charlottesville, virginia

Backyard Wedding Inspiration

Visuals matter. With our five-acre, wooded property, design your wedding in a myriad of ways. Gain inspiration from some of these events, even though they weren’t held here at the Indigo.

Estimates and Pricing

By getting married at the Indigo, you have a lot more freedom, which gives you much more wiggle room in terms of cost. Your overall costs can stay pretty low because we don’t require you to use any specific vendors or upsell services. We pass on our discounts for cake, cases of wine, and more, because we don’t want costs to be a hindrance to your vision. We help your ideas for an affordable DIY wedding close to Charlottesville, Virginia come to life.

That being said, we’re dropping some rough, back-of-the-napkin numbers below. Keep in mind that some of these items — such as catering and photography — are dependent on headcount or expertise. This is subject to change and by no means binding, but we hope it’ll help you get a baseline.

Vendor/Service	Notes	Sample Pricing
Photographer	Beloved photographer, Emie, offers timeless images at an awesome price point ($350/hr) for our Indigo couples who get married on a Sunday night.	$350-$1,000/hour
Officiant and marriage license		$100-$300
Rentals	Tables, chairs, linens for 50 people	$500
Tent	Rainy day backup plan	$600-$800
Catering	Local BBQ is an awesome cost-saving option	$25-$100/person
Florals	Bouquet and boutonniere	Starting at $300
Wedding Planner		The average day rate is $1,200
Hair and Make Up		$150-$600
Decorations		Varies
Dessert		$250
Alcohol	Try this drink calculator	$300-$800
Placesets	Paper plates, cutlery, napkins, etc	$100
Insurance	Event coverage	$200

Don’t feel like doing the math?

Our couples spend roughly…

- For an Adventure Elopement —$2,000-$3,000 (depending on the photographer)
- For the Ceremony Only — $2,500 (excluding dinner)
- For a Micro Wedding property buyout — $7,000-$10,000 (with 50 guests)

These all include the venue and accommodations fee at the Indigo. If you are looking for vendors, check out our Preferred Vendors list.

5 Ways to Cut Costs While Maximizing the Experience

We like to keep things simple. At the Indigo, we believe that everyone is happier when they’re outdoors. Nature provides the kind of backdrop that doesn’t need much decoration. Once you’re standing in the woods with the twinkle lights and the sun setting in the distance, we bet you’ll agree.

Make your dollar stretch farther by:

1. Foregoing the traditional sit-down dinner. Organize an afterparty featuring local apple cider donuts and spiked cider or a pie bar showcasing seasonal fruits and ice cream from Black Bear Creamery. Your guests can play yard games like cornhole and ladder ball with your favorite playlist in the background.
2. Getting married on a Friday or Sunday evening. Vendors are more willing to negotiate the price!
3. Carrying a bouquet of wildflowers from the Nelson County farmers market, open May-October.
4. Charging your guests to stay. If you select the property buyout, you can ask your guests to pay a nightly rate just as they would for local accommodations (that could be up to $1,200 “saved”).
5. In lieu of renting a space for a welcome or rehearsal dinner, host it at the Indigo for no added venue fee.

Throw yourself an affordable DIY wedding outside of Charlottesville, Virginia by borrowing our backyard for your charming and enchanting weekend.