Planning a wedding in Japan might seem like an expensive dream, with lavish shrine ceremonies, luxury ryokans, and Michelin-starred wedding banquets. But guess what? You don’t need to sell a kidney to have a magical wedding here. Whether you’re dreaming of a cherry blossom elopement in Kyoto or a cozy ceremony in Tokyo, there are plenty of ways to create a stunning wedding without draining your bank account.
I’ve captured countless weddings across Japan, and trust me—some of the most beautiful ones weren’t the ones with million-yen budgets, but the ones where couples focused on what truly mattered: love, laughter, and a bit of strategic planning. So, let’s dive into how to have your dream wedding in Japan without going broke!
1. Timing is Everything: Pick an Off-Season Date
Japan’s peak wedding seasons—cherry blossom (March-April) and autumn foliage (October-November)—come with sky-high venue prices. But if you’re willing to think outside the sakura box, you can save big.
💰 Budget Tip:
- Consider a winter wedding (January-February) in Kyoto for a romantic snowy vibe.
- A summer beach wedding in Okinawa (June-July) can be much cheaper than a peak-season celebration.
- Weekday weddings (especially Tuesdays & Wednesdays) can be up to 30% cheaper than weekend bookings.
🔗 Want a breathtaking location? Check out Zanpa Beach in Okinawa—stunning and budget-friendly!
2. Find a Unique & Affordable Venue
The biggest wedding expense? The venue. Traditional shrines, hotels, and banquet halls can cost anywhere from ¥500,000 to ¥2,000,000 (ouch). But who says you need to follow the norm?
🌿 Budget-Friendly Venue Ideas:
- Public Parks & Gardens – Places like Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo or Maruyama Park in Kyoto offer stunning scenery for a fraction of the price.
- Airbnb & Guesthouses – Renting a machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse) or a scenic Airbnb in Kamakura can create an intimate and memorable setting.
- Beachside Weddings – Okinawa has some of the best budget-friendly beaches for a dreamy outdoor wedding (Moon Beach, anyone?).
💡 Pro Tip: Some parks allow wedding ceremonies for free or for a small permit fee (¥2,000-¥5,000)—a steal compared to hotel venues!
3. Skip the Overpriced Wedding Packages
Many Japanese venues push all-inclusive wedding packages (florals, catering, dress rental, photography), but these often come with inflated prices. Instead, book services individually to cut costs.
💰 Smart Savings:
✔ Photography – Book an independent photographer (like, say, me) instead of using a venue’s overpriced package.
✔ Florals – Buy fresh flowers from a local market (Tokyo’s Ota Market or Kyoto’s Nishiki Market) and DIY your bouquets.
✔ Wedding Dress & Kimono Rentals – Shops like Kyoto Kimono Rental Wargo offer stunning outfits at a fraction of the price.
4. Keep It Small (or Elope!)
Japanese weddings are traditionally big, expensive affairs (think: a formal dinner costing ¥30,000 per guest 😱). But in reality, an intimate wedding is just as meaningful—if not more!
💡 Ways to Save:
- Opt for a micro-wedding (under 20 guests) or elopement.
- Instead of a formal banquet, host a casual izakaya after-party with nomihoudai (all-you-can-drink) for a fraction of the price.
- Book a private room at a kaiseki restaurant instead of a wedding hall—same elegant vibes, half the price!
🍶 Affordable Venue Idea: Check out Toriyoshi Shinjuku for a cozy, authentic Japanese wedding dinner!
5. Ditch the Wedding Banquet—Go Casual & Chic
Who says you need a 10-course hotel banquet? There are so many delicious and affordable alternatives:
🍣 Budget-Friendly Food Ideas:
- A sushi feast at a standing sushi bar like Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (Tokyo’s best-kept secret!).
- A relaxed rooftop café reception at places like Aoyama Flower Market Tea House (where flowers are built into the tables!).
- A traditional yakitori (grilled skewers) feast in an izakaya—low cost, high fun!
6. DIY What You Can
DIY isn’t just for Pinterest boards—it’s a real money-saver!
🎨 Creative Cost-Cutting Hacks:
✔ Invites & Stationery – Skip printed invites and send LINE digital invitations.
✔ Décor – Daiso & Seria (Japan’s ¥100 shops) have gorgeous wedding décor for next to nothing.
✔ Wedding Favors – Gift guests matcha kits, origami cranes, or personalized chopsticks (small, affordable, and so Japanese!).
7. Photography That Tells Your Story (Without the Venue Markup)
Many Japanese wedding venues force you to use their in-house photographers (for ridiculous prices). But you don’t have to settle for cookie-cutter wedding pics.
📸 Pro Tip: Book a photographer who specializes in authentic, storytelling-style wedding photography (cough like me).
🎯 Best Budget-Friendly Wedding Photo Spots in Japan:
- 🌸 Under the sakura trees in Kyoto
- 🌃 Amidst the neon lights of Shibuya
- 🏖 On the pristine beaches of Okinawa
8. Consider a Simple City Hall Ceremony
Want to really save? A civil ceremony at city hall costs next to nothing and is super simple to arrange. Then, you can splurge on an intimate symbolic ceremony somewhere stunning.
💍 How to Do It:
1️⃣ Register at city hall (bring ID, witnesses, and the marriage registration form).
2️⃣ Have a symbolic ceremony anywhere you love! (mountaintop, beach, ryokan).
3️⃣ Celebrate with an epic meal & gorgeous photos.
Final Thoughts: Your Dream Wedding, Your Way
A dream wedding in Japan doesn’t need to cost a fortune. With the right planning, smart venue choices, and a bit of DIY magic, you can have a stunning, intimate celebration—without the massive price tag.
And if you need someone to capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments—whether it’s an elopement under sakura trees or a mountaintop vow exchange—check out my portfolio here. You’ll also find my wedding photography packages here, and if you’re ready to make magic, let’s chat here.
Let’s make your wedding the most beautiful (and budget-friendly!) day ever. 🚀💍
