This is a collaborative post: Do you want to make sure that your wedding is everything that you’ve been dreaming of? Of course you do. You’ve been thinking about it every since the engagement rings been on your finger. This is very easy to do if you have an unlimited budget. The problem is that not a lot of people have the luxury of being able to spend a fortune on their wedding. If you’re one of them, then here are some tips to make budget work for you, so you can get everything you’ve been dreaming of without breaking the bank.
Get married on a weekday
One of the easiest and best ways for you to try and reduce the overall cost of your wedding is to get married out of season; winter weddings are less popular but no less fun! Marrying on a weekday is also an option. Not only will the venue be cheaper, but caterers and other service providers are likely to be less busy and might be able to offer more competitive pricing. Sometimes it’s possible to save up to £6,000 by just changing the day, so it’s a good idea for you to look into this.
Keep it intimate
It’s very easy to get carried away when you are planning out who you want to invite to your wedding. That being said, if you want to keep the cost down then you need to reconsider who you invite to the whole day. If you have some people you feel obligated to invite, then try and cut them out first. Often guests feel just as obligated to come – it’s expensive for them too! – so they may well be happy to give up their place. Most of the time they will understand that you just can’t afford to accommodate everyone. If you can cut down on your guest list, you may be able to book a more luxurious venue.
Consider a shorter wedding
If all you want to do is get married without huge cost, then consider forgoing the whole sit-down-meal idea and having the ceremony followed by a party with a buffet. This is much cheaper to cater than a formal dinner, and means that people can bring +1s without it costing you a fortune.
Buy the wine yourself
Everyone needs a drink to toast the bride and groom, and some venues will let you bring your own wine in – make sure you check, as buying when there is 25% off can save you hundreds! You can also hire glasses from supermarkets when buying wine. Talk to them about this.
Shop the sales
Browsing the sales is another great way for you to save money. Keep an eye out for any end-of-season discounts and also shop with your favourite retailers too, as it is perfectly possible to get high end jewellery for up to half price!
Weddings don’t really need you to buy a lot; outfits and shoes for the bride and groom, wedding rings of course such as moissanite bridal sets and gifts for the bridal party – traditionally jewellery such as earrings, cufflinks or chains – anything beyond that is up to you!
Say yes to the (budget) dress
You may think that choosing your dream dress is a huge part of getting married. That being said, there are so many more options available, and you should never just limit yourself to the local bridal store if you are on a tight budget. High-street retailers tend to have their own wedding dress lines, not to mention that you can also pick up one that is second-hand. You can usually wipe up to 80% off the price by doing this, not to mention that nobody ever has to know.
Print your own stationery
The cost of wedding stationery can soon add up, but it’s more than possible for you to save a small fortune by simply taking matters into your own hands. There are thousands of templates out there that you can buy and customise yourself. On top of this, you can also put your own personal stamp on it by adding hand-applied ribbons or beads. This is a fantastic way for you to lower the cost and get everything you’ve ever wanted for your wedding but at a lower price.
Send e-vites
Alternatively, it’s more than possible for you to take the modern route by sending out email invites to your guests. The great thing about doing this is that it will save you a small fortune on your stationary, and people can RSVP online. This will help you to keep track of who is coming much better, and it will make it easier for you to get everyone’s meal choice ordered too.