The Buy Nothing Wedding
Something gifted, something lent, plan a dream wedding that won't cost a cent – that's what it means to have a Buy Nothing wedding. We're proud of the hundreds of Buy Nothing weddings that took place over the past couple of years – keeping couples out of debt. The average cost of a US wedding is a jaw-dropping $32,000, with a single wedding dress averaging about $3,000 with shipping and alterations.
A Buy Nothing wedding doesn't mean you have to compromise on your vision or cut corners. Buy Nothing couples are creating their special day through the generosity of community connections. Neighbors are helping as officiates or with wedding dresses, place-settings, flowers, invitations, music and much more.
More than 100 brides wore Buy Nothing wedding dresses in the past two+ years — and kept nearly $350,000 where it belongs: in their lives, not a credit card bill.
Every piece of a Buy Nothing wedding has its own story. Here's a sample:
The Last 2.5 Years, Together
Here's what Buy Nothing members found for their big day — while keeping 3 tons of stuff out of landfills.
Tips – Gifting
The Buy Nothing app offers a thoughtful opportunity for hyper-local micro-philanthropy. Look around your home — you might hold the exact piece of serendipity someone else is searching for.
You can make a couple's dream wedding a reality by gifting items that often go unused after your own wedding.
Attire: We have seen hundreds of gorgeous wedding dresses and tailored suits successfully posted and re-homed on the app. Passing on a dress or a tuxedo gives a precious garment a second life and saves a new couple thousands.
The Details: Leftover linen tablecloths, brass vases, or a collection of mismatched glassware can easily be gifted to anchor a beautiful, zero-waste tablescape.
Nature's Abundance: Do you have a thriving summer garden? Offering fresh-cut flowers or golden rocks for vase filler lets you share the natural wealth of your backyard.
Tips – Asking
If you have a wedding on the horizon, let your community step in as your ultimate safety net. When you make an Ask on the Buy Nothing app, you allow your neighbors to contribute to your celebration. Think about the elements that make a massive monetary difference:
The Officiant & The DJ: You might be surprised to find a licensed neighbor down the street eager to give their marriage officiant services, or a local audiophile ready to volunteer their time and DJ talents to keep your dance floor moving.
The Atmosphere: Instead of buying single-use plastic props, ask to borrow themed decorations, string lights, or lawn games from neighbors who have them packed away in garages.
From neighbors lending sentimental veils to pass on sustainable values, to global movements celebrating alternative economies, the media has taken note of how powerful this shift truly is. For a dose of real-world inspiration, check out the Seattle Times feature highlighting how local groups rallied to supply an entire wedding, or tune into the beautiful story featured on Episode 2 of the Buy Nothing Podcast to hear the serendipity of a community-crafted wedding unfold in real time.