A couple spent $21,000 on a nontraditional Hamptons wedding. It had 33 guests, estate-sale decor, and no dance floor.
Hannah and Drew Williams successfully hosted an intimate wedding in the Hamptons for $21,000 by opting for a small guest list and thrifted decor. The couple prioritized personal, sentimental touches over traditional large-scale wedding norms to manage both costs and stress.
Why it matters
As average wedding costs continue to climb toward $35,000, this story highlights a growing trend of couples choosing 'micro-weddings' and DIY aesthetics to maintain financial control and personal meaning.
Hannah and Drew Williams got married in September 2025. Sara Anderson Davis Hannah and Drew Williams got married in Southampton, New York, in September 2025. They managed to keep their wedding to about $21,000. A small guest list, thrifted decor, and DIY touches brought the day together. The average cost of weddings rises each year, like clockwork. Zola's Wedding Cost Index puts the average cost at $36,000 for 2026, while The Knot's Real Wedding Study lists it slightly lower at $34,200. Those numbers are high, but in reality, many couples are spending much more on their big days. Some have large guest lists, others want to splurge on flowers or decor, and many couples only have expensive venues available to them. Some couples, though, are managing to pull off their dream weddings for less, like Hannah and Drew Williams. Their intimate wedding cost a little over $21,000.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in