Starting a Wedding Venue When You Don’t Have Money (updated for 2025!)

The number one question I get asked—hands down—is this: “How do I start a wedding venue if I don’t have the funds?”

If this question has ever kept you up at night, you’re in good company. It’s the most common thing people ask when they’re dreaming of opening a wedding venue but their bank account says otherwise.

While having a nest egg definitely helps, the good news is—it’s not the only way. There are real, viable paths you can take even if your pockets aren’t deep. In fact, I’ve personally seen five solid options for starting a wedding venue with little to no money:

• 1️⃣ Leasing
• 2️⃣ Owner Financing
• 3️⃣ Traditional Lending
• 4️⃣ Private Investors
• 5️⃣ Partnerships

👉 Click here to read my blog post on leasing! Now, let’s dive into numbers 2–5.

Buckle up—there’s a lot of info coming your way, so feel free to scroll to what you need and come back to the rest later.

OWNER FINANCING

a.k.a. Seller or Creative Financing

🏡 Fun fact: This is how we purchased our very first house. After Hurricane Harvey, a historic 500-year flood damaged the property so badly it was stripped down to the studs. No bank would touch it, so the sellers carried the note for us. That’s owner financing in action.

So, why would an owner want to do this?

Most people assume this option only works when buyers can’t get approved by a bank. But actually, owner financing has a lot of perks for sellers too:

• They get to play the bank—meaning they earn interest on top of the principal.
  
• They can often sell the property as-is (just like we did!).
  
• They might save on capital gains tax and closing costs.
  
• It can also lead to a faster sale than traditional routes.

TRADITIONAL LENDING

Wait—Isn’t This a “No Money” Blog?

This one might feel like a curveball, but hear me out.

Yes, traditional lending—through a bank, credit union, or SBA—usually requires a 20% down payment. That’s why it’s not always considered a “no money” option.

So why include it here?

➡️ Because even if you don’t have hard cash, you might have leverage.

If you (or a business partner) have equity in another asset—like a home, land, or even another business—you can pull that equity to cover the down payment. The trick? Finding a lender who’s willing to get creative and work with you. These lenders need a higher risk tolerance and flexible mindset.

PRIVATE INVESTORS

Not a Bank? Buying a Wedding Venus is Still an Option.

Private investors are anyone who lends you money but isn’t a bank. Think angel investors or private money lenders.

The payback percentage and terms of these loans depend on your investor. Private investors could potentially be more flexible than getting a loan from a bank. It’ll depend on the terms that get negotiated into the contract.

The key here is clarity:

• 1️⃣ Know what your investor wants.
• 2️⃣ Be able to guarantee their return.
• 3️⃣ Get everything in writing via a solid contract.

Some private investors may offer better terms than a traditional bank, especially if they believe in your vision or want to diversify their portfolio.

PARTNERSHIPS

Because You Don’t Have Start a Wedding Venue Alone

You’d be surprised how many wedding venues got their start from a group of friends, family members, or fellow creatives who were passionate about creating something together.

Sometimes these are silent partners who just want to invest outside the stock market. Other times they’re hands-on co-founders.

But partnerships come with a word of warning…

Please hear this:

Get a partnership agreement in place—no matter what.

Even if you’re going into the wedding venue business with your mom, your best friend, or someone you trust with your life, get it in writing. It’s not about distrust—it’s about mutual respect and protecting everyone’s interests.

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