LA couple plan their wedding on $500 budget with a $47 dress: “Our goal was to just be as minimal”

Weddings are usually an expensive affair, with several people saving for their wedding for years before carrying out the plans. However, a couple from Los Angeles is going viral after planning a wedding on a budget of $500.

According to The Knot, the national average budget for a wedding in America is $30,000. However, Kiara and Joel Brokenbrough were able to throw a wedding at a very minimal budget. Kiara told Good Morning America, "Our goal was to just be as minimal as possible and to spend the least amount of money as possible." They did not want to go into debt even before starting their married life, which comes with a lot of responsibilities.

Kiara started her wedding preparation by getting a dress for just $47 from the digital fashion retailer, Shein. 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 posted her wedding dress experience in a TikTok video which has gathered over a million views. The pair married off the Angeles Crest Highway, with the San Gabriel and Sierra Pelona Mountains in Southern California as a stunning background. They only invited 30 to 40 family members and close friends since they did not seek public permission, according to Kiara.

They only paid for the chairs and the arch by themselves while the rest of the things were gifted by family members, reports ABC7. Kiara's godmother gifted the newlyweds flowers, while her godsister and aunt contributed a cake. Guests were also paying for their own food and beverages during the couple's reception at Misty's lounge. They did not have a reservation but they arrived right when the venue opened.

Kiara said, "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." She further said, "The people we have there, they understood the assignment. They understood the things that we were trying to do, and they really supported us." 

She gave further suggestions to couples who want to have a wedding on a budget. She said that the most important thing is to select a free and already beautiful location so you don't have to spend money on decorations. She added that couples should not forget the ultimate aim, which is their life together, while planning their wedding.