13 Vintage Photos of Low-Budget Weddings in the ‘60s and ‘70s

Lena, Newly married in 1970s

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Lena, Newly married in 1970s
FotoSoyuz/Getty Images

D-I-Wedding

Weddings were typically less of a to-do back in the day for most people, that’s for sure. Before it was an Instagram contest to get the most likes, people would DIY their weddings on a much smaller budget. 


Miss those days? Relive them in these vintage photos of low-budget weddings in the 1960s and 1970s. 

1970s DIY Wedding
katubug/Reddit.com

My mom at her wedding, where she made her own clothing and head wrap

Making your own wedding clothes is truly as DIY as it gets. Maybe they could have rustled up some coats, though. These people look like they’re freezing. 

Two brothers at their joint wedding, 1970s
WideEyes369/Reddit.com

Two brothers at their joint wedding

Ha. Joint wedding. I get it. 

1960s Wedding
xthyst/Reddit.com

My grandma on her wedding day with her bridesmaids, late 1960s

Bridesmaid dresses can cost a lot; Unless of course, they’re made from what seems to be an old tablecloth and some old Christmas wreathes. 

Wedding Day 1970
Spiritual_Cod_3535/Reddit.com

Wedding day 1970

Churches are overrated. Chapels are costly. So, skip all that and get married in your house. You can shove cake into your fiancé’s mouth right there in your purple living room. 

Vegas Wedding 1976
m33gs/Reddit.com

My parents when they eloped in Vegas in 1976

These wildly photogenic people ran away to Vegas in the '70s, which has been a popular spot for couples looking to elope since the '30s. The only money these two spent on their wedding was the ticket to Nevada. 

Very 70s Wedding Photo
midwest-ginger/Reddit.com

My aunt and uncle’s very '70s wedding pic

Look at this hat squad right here. Look at those chunky bow ties. These ‘fits probably didn’t cost an arm and a leg, but I think the question on everybody’s mind is: Is the guy in the top left corner in disguise? 

Wedding day in 1970
Chiffygurl/Reddit.com
1960s Wedding
dacn0maniac/Reddit.com

'60s Style

Who says you need a whole suit?  

Wedding day, 1970.
Panicky_Donut/Reddit.com

My grandparent’s wedding day, 1970

These people got married in what seems to be a movie theater, based on the decor. That’s gotta be a whole lot cheaper than renting a venue. 

Wedding 1971
YoshiPikachu/Reddit.com

Grandparents wedding, 1971

HOW OLD ARE THESE TWO? These people are children. Jeez Louise. 

Bride and her bridesmaids, 1970’s
JanetandRita/Reddit.com

Bride and her bridesmaids

Whatever multipurpose room these people are getting ready in probably wasn’t the most expensive spot in town. Usually you’re paying for the privilege of not being watched by an old, haunted portrait of JFK. 

1970s Wedding Celebrations
French_Lys_Flower/Reddit.com

My great-grandfathers celebrating my grandparents' wedding

You definitely don’t need to rent a venue for an afterparty, either. Based on the wallpaper and the furniture in the background, this is somebody’s house. And it’s probably the last time these two father-in-laws were seen getting along. 

Price of Wedding Flowers 1964
greatodinsravenclaw/Reddit.com