With wedding season finally upon us, many Brits find budgeting for the big day to be an emotional rollercoaster.
When it comes to planning, it is important to know your priorities and allocate your wedding funds wisely – but financing the dream day can be tricky for those on a tight budget.
Planning a wedding is expensive, and many couples are struggling to save for the special occasion amid the cost-of-living crisis.
From reusing flowers to asking for favours, wedding experts from Hitched have provided seven top tips to help stretch out your wedding budget.
Avoid summer Saturdays
Saturday ceremonies are favoured by many as it eases planning for both the couple and guests, however venues often charge premium rates as it is the most sought-after day.
To save a considerable amount on your budget, choose an alternative day of the week, such as Fridays and Sundays, which have a slight reduction.
If you choose a weekday, from Monday to Thursday, the venue is normally a fraction of the Saturday cost.
Planning your wedding during the off season, from October to March, can save you a real bargain on most wedding related services, such as location, attire, catering and photography.
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Use the same ceremony and reception venue
Using the same venue for both the ceremony and reception can save you money on transport, venue hire, and décor costs.
Arrange for the flowers to be moved from the ceremony room to decorate the reception area during your cocktail hour, saving you a big sum on your floristry expenses.
This will also be convenient for guests, who won’t need to move from one place to another.
By choosing a venue that requires little decoration, such as courtyards, restored barns, and stately homes, you can save money on décor costs as these locations are already beautifully designed.
Use seasonal and local flowers
Flowers are a wedding day staple, with most couples opting for vibrant bouquets to mark their magical day – but they don’t have to break the bank if you choose wisely.
If your dream flowers are in season, and not flown in from abroad, then you can save a huge sum.
Your florist will be able to suggest cheaper alternatives that are still just as beautiful, for example garden roses are great replacements for peonies, and at a lower cost.
If you stick to arrangements made up of one type of flower, you can save money as the florist will buy in bulk.
Potted plants as centrepieces are an environmentally friendly alternative that can be taken home by guests as a memory of the special occasion.
Foliage is an inexpensive alternative to flowers, as are fruit plants including apples and lemons, which are stunning as a table arrangement.
Visit your local supermarket or flower market on the morning of your wedding day to pick up bunches of cheap blooms, such as gypsophila and daffodils.
Artificial flowers also resemble the real blooms and can stretch your budget out further. You will also reduce the risk of allergies.
Ask for favours
Don’t be afraid to call in favours from close friends and family.
For example, does your cousin bake delicious cakes? Or has your friend got a fancy car he could drive you in?
You can save a lot of money by asking others for help, especially as a replacement for a wedding gift.
Just let them know it’s OK if they don’t feel they can do it.
There are many roles you can call in favours for, such as a florist, chauffeur, baker, and DJ or entertainer.
Borrow pre-used décor
Borrowing décor that a friend or family member previously used for their wedding, can save you a great sum on your decoration expenses.
Borrow as much as you can to help keep the costs down.
Pre-loved alternatives
You can find your dream wedding dress on pre-loved sites, for just a fraction of the cost.
Gems can be found on sites including Stillwhite, Preloved, and Oxfam’s wedding dress page, with a selection of dresses that have only been worn once.
For the groom, hiring suits for the day can be a cheaper alternative, while high street options, like Zara Man and River Island, have a great selection too.
Shop around
Find and compare the best deals by gathering different quotes, from the florist to the DJ.
To bag a bargain, negotiate with venues and suppliers – this could even include arranging an extra hour of the DJ’s time or a free bridesmaids bouquet.
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