Getting engaged is one of the best things that can happen, isn’t it? From the moment you said ‘yes’ to telling your nearest and dearest, you’re swept up in a whirlwind of romance, energy and excitement. But, as all brides to be have experienced, planning the wedding can bring you back down to earth with a thud. How are you going to afford the day you’re dreaming of? Read on to discover how to plan your prefect wedding on a budget…
Know your budget
The first (and most important) part of planning your perfect wedding on a budget is actually defining it. The average UK wedding now costs an eye watering £21,000, though of course you needn’t spend anywhere near this much! However, it will help to have a good idea of where your upper limit is. Whether you’ve got a small fortune or just £1,500 to spend, there are plenty of suppliers like 77 Diamonds who will let you customise the bits that mean the most to you so that you can stay on track with your spending.
Be ruthless with your guest list
The biggest budget blower is a guest list larger than you can afford. So, start by making a list of everyone you and your partner must have in attendance. After that, calculate how much you can spend per head, and add friends and family members accordingly. Just be prepared for the fact you might ruffle a few feathers or cause offence… but there’s nothing stopping you meeting everyone off the guest list for a celebratory drink!
Consider second hand or hired
Think you have to spend a fortune to have a wonderful wedding dress or dashing suite? Think again. Websites such as Still White, Sell My Wedding Dress and Preloved allow brides to snap up once-worn dresses at a fraction of the price, including designer and couture gowns. Alternatively, charities like Oxfam, and sites like eBay.co.uk, sell wedding dresses for brides on a budget. The groom can hire his suit too, spending under £200 for full grey tails rather than breaking the bank by purchasing it for good.
Be flexible
Want to save some serious money? Be flexible about when you marry. Due to their popularity, weddings on sunny summer Saturdays cost the most of all, but brides who don’t mind when they tie the knot could save a fortune by marrying in winter or autumn. Better yet, if you can marry on a Friday rather than a Saturday, you’ll save extra cash, and couples getting hitched Sunday to Thursday will make the biggest savings of all.
Haggle
All that said, your wedding should feature all the things that are truly important to you. Want a professional photographer to capture the day? Go for it! Is that classic car pulling at your heart strings? Book it! Just be prepared to haggle for what you want: it’s not unreasonable to try to knock the price of your essentials down, even if you feel a little uncomfortable doing so. Just give it a go; after all, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
By Patrick Vernon.