Wedding On A Budget Goes Viral – Under $500

Could you do a wedding on a budget? There's no denying that planning a wedding can be stressful, but also very expensive.  Financial burdens from a wedding can lead to even more stress! But one bride shows that a wedding doesn't have to break the bank.

This bride from Los Angeles has now gone viral for her wedding.  She spent less than $500 total for the big day.  Kiara Brokenbrough saved a ton of money and said their goal was to "just be as minimal as possible."

Considering the national average cost of a wedding was nearly $30,000 according to a report from The Knot last year, the Brokenbrough's really saved a ton!

The bride and groom were both committed to focusing on not going into debt at the start of their marriage.  And to get things started, Kiara found a dress for just $47 on Shein!

See a video of the details of the dress on Kiara's TikTok.

While wedding dresses can cost a fortune, Kiara had the mindset that she would only be wearing the dress one time, and for just a few hours at that.

Part of the cost cutting also came from gifted items, like flowers and a runner. And when it came to the wedding venue, the Brokenbrough's found a free spot right off a California freeway, and guests bought their own food and drink at the reception.

The wedding was still much of what you'd expect from any wedding.  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."

The bride understands that pulling off a wedding on a budget can be tough.  But she explained that having the support of your loved ones is key.  She also recommends finding a free place to have the wedding that looks great without the need for many decorations.

And while some bride-zillas may forget the real reason for the occasion... Kiara did not.  She notes that through it all, the end goal is marriage.

Looks like these were two very smart people, who both were on the same page, which is important in a life partner.  And they started out without the debt of an elaborate wedding.  That's a great way to embark on this new journey, and we wish the Brokenbrough's the best!

Source: Good Morning America

Did you know that the CSRA has one of the cheapest places to live in Georgia? Often when you're looking to move, the cost of rent or mortgage can be a very big determining factor on where you'll settle down.  And Georgia offers many wonderful places through the state.  You've got everything from mountains, river areas, small towns, historical cities and more.

When it comes to the cheapest cities in Georgia for renters, Rent.com rounds up the best places throughout the state. And you can still live close to the hustle and bustle, while still keeping some money in your pocket!

Of course, you always have to take traffic and other factors into account, especially if you want to live near a city like Atlanta. But there are a lot of great options outside of the metro Atlanta area.

And Georgia continues to thrive and grow with more and more movies and television shows filming.  Plus, the music and tech industry are also seeing growth in the state.  Not to mention a lot of big companies are housed in Georgia too! And you can't forget the Georgia-based companies hiring for remote workers too.

On the list of top cheapest cities in Georgia, you'll find a little bit of everything- from small towns, to places not far from metro Atlanta.  And we were surprised to see THIS town in the CSRA on the list!

Grovetown actually came in at number 20.  The average rent on a 1 bedroom apartment is around $947 with a -2.72% year over year change.  Honestly, with all of the growth in Grovetown, we were quite surprised.  Just a few years ago, things looked a lot different in that area.  But they have been building and expanding.  A lot of families continue to move into that area and we expect that to continue with the proximity to Fort Gordon, and the Augusta area with many job opportunities.

Average one-bedroom average rent price: $809

Average rent change in the past year: 13.12%

Dalton is famous for the carpet stores, and is located in the Appalachian Mountains.  A great place to hike with beautiful views.  It's somewhat convenient to both Atlanta and Chattanooga.

Average one-bedroom average rent price: $804

Average rent change in the past year: 0.63%

Cartersville is home to the first Coca-Cola outdoor wall ad.  The city has great museums for art and science as well.

Average one-bedroom average rent price: $781

Average rent change in the past year: -6.96%

Clarkston is only about 17 miles from Atlanta, so it's a great place if you want to save on rent, but work in the city.  They have a great variety of international dining options from Indian, to Ethiopian, Nepali and more.  You're also close to Stone Mountain Park.

Average one-bedroom average rent price: $773

Average rent change in the past year: 8.51%

Forest Park is less than 10 miles from Atlanta and is convenient for business travelers who fly a lot.  But it also has some great nature sights to see too.

Average one-bedroom average rent price: $758

Average rent change in the past year: -3.10%

Albany is the eighth-largest city in the state.  It has many historic sites, and has access to the Flint River.  The local economy is driven by the Marine Corps base.

Average one-bedroom average rent price: $740

Average rent change in the past year: -13.02%

Athens is definitely a college town, which may account for some of the cost of living, but it's more than just that.  There are great trails to hike and bike, plus the State Botanical Garden and the Georgia Museum of Art with great historical pieces and information as well.

Average one-bedroom average rent price: $735

Average rent change in the past year: -2.91%

Just below Macon, off I-75, you'll find Warner Robins. It's the home of the Air Force Base and has been named one of America's best places to live by CNN Money and Business Week!  Enjoy community theater and weekends on Houston Lake.

Average one-bedroom average rent price: $734

Average rent change in the past year: 0.26%

Rincon has a long history as a railroad town and played a significant role in the Civil War.  This means you'll see many historical markers around town.  But it's also a place that now draws many young families, as it is conveniently located near Savannah.  There's a lot of great family-friendly activities here.

Average one-bedroom average rent price: $662

Average rent change in the past year: -44.57%

You may think that Cumming is part of the Atlanta metro, but it is about 40 miles away.  If you don't mind the drive, you can still work in Atlanta, but live away from the hustle. There are many great outdoor activities here as well, including Lake Lanier and many golf courses.

Average one-bedroom average rent price: $647

Average rent change in the past year: 8%

Valdosta has beautiful historic architecture, and features the Crescent at Valdosta Garden Center, a 23-room mansion built in 1898.  In this town, you can enjoy the Peach State Summer Theatre or check out South Georgia Pecan Co. and see how pecans get processed.