Share and share alike
Okay, so the only people you want to share your special day with are the ones on your guest list, but have you thought of asking your ceremony venue if any other couples are tying the knot on the same day as you? If there are, you may be able to agree on a colour scheme and split the cost of flowers and decorations.
Play hard to get
You may have fallen in love with a venue/photographer/make-up artist, but don’t go with the first one that you see. Shop around and compare prices and services to make sure that you get the best deals. Ask other couples who they went with and ask photographers and the food supplier if you can see samples of their work before setting anything in stone.
Using friends’ skills
Come on, you must know someone who bakes a great cake, is a natural with a make-up brush or is a handy seamstress. Now’s the time to call in favours, and ask your nearest and dearest to share their amazing talents and help you save money. Chances are they’ll be delighted to help with your day, maybe in lieu of a wedding present?
Get crafty
Have you ever received a handmade wedding invitation and thought, ‘I could make those’? You’ll save a lot of money if you do. Stationery isn’t the only thing you can make yourself: you could assemble your own favours, fill paper cones with homemade dried-flower petals for gorgeous confetti, or teach yourself calligraphy and design a beautiful table plan. Visit a few arty stores like Hobbycraft http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ for lots of crafty accessories and materials.
Hire amateurs
It’s not as crazy as it sounds – many wannabe photographers, videographers, caterers and hair stylists are desperate to break into the wedding industry, but struggle to get bookings without experience. As a result, some talented people offer their services for free or at cost price in order to build up their portfolios. Contact your local college to see if any students are looking for work. We got a great young photographer who did all types of extras that he just put into the package for free he was just happy to get a chance to build up a portfolio!
Eat on your feet
Opting for a buffet reception could keep your budget under control.
Catering costs tend to be lower, and you won’t fork out for as many waiting staff. You can still have separate courses and a formal seating plan, and as an added bonus, you’re more likely to please your guests by offering a selection of dishes. To save even more, why not serve your wedding cake for dessert, instead of a separate pud? Your guests’ waistlines will thank you… and so will your bank manager. We didn't go for this option but been to a few weddings since and it did work really well and especially on a hot summers day it made everything so more relaxed and less fussy....so give it a careful think!
Skip the evening reception…
Evening receptions are often seen as a way to keep costs down, but by the time you’ve paid for venue, buffet and entertainment, costs can mount up. Do your sums carefully – if you’re only inviting an extra 20 people in the evening, it may be cheaper to invite them all to the ceremony and wedding breakfast, and skip the evening do altogether. Which, of course, leaves the whole night free for you to spend with your new husband
.… Or just do it cheaply!
You needn’t spend a fortune on your evening do. Most venues will provide a room free of charge if you’ve held the main festivities there, or decamp to the village hall or the function room of the local pub. Don’t overdo the buffet – afternoon guests will have already dined like kings, and evening guests eat before going out, so catering for 60-70% of the final number is usually sufficient. And don’t book an expensive band if money is tight – a cheesy DJ is great entertainment and much cheaper.
Suits you
Encourage the men in your bridal party to get organised and pay for a group visit to the suit hire shop. Most menswear suppliers run ‘groom goes free’ deals if you order three or four wedding suits at the same time. That could add up to a tidy saving of £100 or more.
Share the cost
In the States, it’s customary for adult bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses. The jury’s still out on whether it’s acceptable over here, but more British brides are taking the lead from our transatlantic neighbours. Only you know whether your bridesmaids will go for it, but if you choose dresses that flatter their figures and can be worn again they may be prepared to chip in. Likewise, don’t spend a fortune kitting ushers out in hired morning dress – they’ll look just as smart in their own suits with matching ties.
Go channel hopping
Daunted by your venue’s wine list? Then it may be worth nipping to France to stock up on bargain booze. You’ll need to check the venue’s corkage policy first, but with champagne from just 13.49 euros a bottle (around £9.30) at Tesco Vin Plus in Calais, and return ferry travel from around £50, you could be quids in. Visit www.tesco.com/vinplus for a price list, and http://www.ferrysavers.com/ for cheap channel crossings. Or alternatively have a look at a company like Virgin Wines:
Brass in pocket
You’re not expected to pick up the tab for your guests’ drinks all night – it’s fine to have a pay bar for the evening reception. Just make sure you spread the word beforehand, either by word of mouth or by putting a note in the wedding invitations, to make sure your guests visit the cash machine en route.
Designer dreams
A designer dress on a shoestring budget? It’s more possible than you might think. Many wedding stores have designer days where they sell off last year’s designs to make way for the new ones coming in, and you may be able to pick up a bargain there. You could also pay a visit to Debenhams for a fantastic selection of off-the-peg wedding dresses by famous designers like Jasper Conran and Gharani Strok.
Be a fair lady
A wedding fair lady, that is. With hundreds of suppliers under one roof, they’ll all be touting for your business, which can mean big savings on everything from your dress to favours, especially if you book on the day (although you shouldn’t be pressured into a decision). Just don’t forget your cheque book!
Second time around
The very nature of weddings means that all those beautiful things – the dress, the veil, the bridesmaids’ gowns – only get used once. You could buy all or part of your outfit second hand. Or, if you don’t fancy wearing someone else’s dress and you aren’t the sentimental type, you could always sell your wedding dress after the big day and recoup some of the cost.
Shop around for bargains
Wedding products and services vary hugely in price, and paying over the odds won’t necessarily guarantee a better deal. Before shelling out for anything, phone around other companies and see how their prices compare, and what deals they can offer you. It’s a really good idea to talk to other local brides-to-be and newlyweds to see what they paid for their services and if they have any hints or tips for you. Even if you save £50, it’ll be worth it.
Hit the high street
Not all of your wedding purchases have to come from exclusive bridal boutiques. The high street is a great place to start looking for some real bargains – try BHS for inexpensive yet stunning tiaras, shoes, bags and veils, and Monsoon for cute bridesmaids’ dresses and gorgeous accessories. You can even get your wedding cake from Marks & Spencer – their plain white fruit cakes can be easily jazzed up with a sprig of fresh flowers for a fraction of the cost of a custom-made cake.
Go seasonal
You may dream of filling your venue with lily of the valley and dining on asparagus and fresh strawberries, but if they’re not in season, you’re going to have to pay over the odds to get them on your wedding day. Using seasonal produce and flowers can reduce your final bill, so do your research first and check it out. Your catering manager should be able to talk you through good menu choices. Find out about flower availability at www.flowers.org.uk/flowers/facts/by-month.htm
Don’t buy ‘wedding branded’
Stick the word ‘wedding’ in front of anything and you’re guaranteed to add a few pound signs to the price tag. Instead of buying ‘bridal shoes’, buy some sparkly summer sandals that’ll look just as good. And you can save a small fortune by choosing evening dresses from a department store.
But a normal posh cake for a special party and don't mention a wedding and see the drop in price!
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