Did you know that the average cost of a wedding in the UK is more than £25,000 – putting it among the most expensive places to get married in the world? Fortunately, that doesn’t mean that those tying the knot on a budget can’t have a fabulous ceremony. In fact, with a little careful planning, you can enjoy a wedding that’s every bit as memorable as those costing a small fortune – without having to bankrupt yourself in the process.
Of course, one of the biggest things that you can do to cut down the cost of your wedding is to celebrate outside of peak times. And while Saturdays during the summer season are the most expensive days to get married, you can save a lot by picking another day or a date that falls during the colder months. So if your dream venue seems out of your budget, check the pricing for less popular times before you abandon it altogether.
Next, try to DIY as much of your wedding as you can. And don’t worry – that doesn’t mean doing all of the cooking and cleaning yourself. In fact, there are loads of fun, easy things that you can do to drastically reduce the cost of your celebration without compromising on style. For example, a simple venue dressed up with homemade decor can often be just as charming as an expensive restaurant or hotel. Or why not ask your guests to bring a potluck dish along to the party? That way, you won’t need to fork out for an expensive caterer, and can still guarantee that everyone is well fed!
Of course, there will be some things that you’ll just have to fork out for – but even then you don’t need to break the bank. Instead, make sure that you shop around for the best deal. For example, wedding limo hire can be expensive if you don’t know where to look. But by using a limo broker, you can compare deals from a wide range of local suppliers and secure the lowest prices. Similarly, things like dresses and suits can be found for a fraction of the boutique price if you shop online and order from bespoke designers overseas.
Finally, it’s important to remember that your wedding is a chance to celebrate your relationship with those that you love, not an opportunity to flash the cash. So don’t worry about creating the most impressive ceremony, and focus instead on creating something that’s special to you.