If you’re planning a wedding, you don’t need me to tell you even a modest day can cost as much as a new car!
But there are plenty of ways to save money on your wedding without sacrificing your dream day.
Shop savvy and think outside of the box and you could still have a wedding to remember without breaking the bank!
Here are some practical tips for couples:
1. Get organized and set a budget
This is the most important step to help save money on your wedding, as it will help you track your spending and make sure you don’t overspend.
Once you have a budget, you can start to prioritize your expenses and make cuts where necessary.
A wedding budget should include all costs associated with planning and executing your wedding day.
This includes the following:
- Venue
- Catering
- Photography
- Videography
- Wedding attire
- Flowers
- Decor
- Music and entertainment
- Transportation
- Invitations and stationery
- Favours and gifts
- Marriage celebrant fees
In addition to these core expenses, there are several other costs that you may need to budget for, such as:
- Rehearsal dinner
- Stag and hen parties
- Wedding dress/suit alterations
- Hair and makeup
- Wedding insurance
- Postage and shipping
- Thank-you notes
When creating your wedding budget, it’s important to be realistic about your spending. It’s also important to factor in a contingency fund for unexpected expenses.
Here is a breakdown of the average wedding budget in the UK:
- Venue: 15%
- Catering: 25%
- Photography: 12%
- Videography: 10%
- Wedding attire: 5%
- Flowers: 10%
- Décor: 10%
- Music and entertainment: 10%
- Transportation: 3%
- Invitations and stationery: 3%
- Favors and gifts: 2%
- Marriage celebrant fees: 2%
Of course, your actual wedding budget may vary depending on your specific preferences, but this is a rough guide as to what everything typically costs.
2. Choose a date and time outside of peak wedding season
Venue choice is a key way to save money on your wedding.
Weddings are most expensive during the summer months, so consider getting married in the winter or on a weekday. You may also be able to get a discount from your venue if you book on a less popular day.
The cheapest times of year to get married in the UK are during the winter months of January, February and March. This is because the demand for weddings is lower during these months, so venues and suppliers are more likely to offer discounts.
Another good time to get married on a budget is during the week.
Weekend weddings are more popular, so venues and suppliers typically charge more for them. If you’re flexible with your date and time, you can save a lot of money by getting married on a weekday.
Just be aware that weekday weddings can cause challenges for people who work or who have children. Arranging holiday from work or a babysitter can mean not everyone will be able to attend.
Here’s a breakdown of the average cost of getting married in the UK by month:
- January: £10,000
- February: £10,500
- March: £11,000
- April: £11,500
- May: £12,000
- June: £12,500
- July: £13,000
- August: £13,500
- September: £12,500
- October: £12,000
- November: £11,500
- December: £11,000
As you can see, there is a bit of a difference in cost between getting married in the winter and summer months!
It’s also worth noting that some venues and suppliers may offer additional discounts for couples willing to book their wedding on short notice.
Cancellations cost, so many venues will offer discounts for any couple willing to move quickly. This is a very effective way to save money on your wedding if you can move quickly.
3. Be flexible with your venue
If you’re not set on a particular venue, consider getting married at a unique or non-traditional location, such as a barn, museum, or park.
They are often less expensive than traditional wedding venues and can add a unique character to the day.
Alternative venues can include:
- Barns
- Museums
- Art galleries
- Parks and gardens
- The beach
- Rooftop garden or bar
- Boats
- Yurts
- Treehouses
Many of these will be cheaper than dedicated wedding venues or stately homes.
4. DIY some of your wedding details
If you’re crafty, you can make many wedding items yourself. If not, there are plenty of affordable DIY kits and tutorials available online.
Here are some areas of a wedding you can DIY:
- Invitations and stationery: You can design and print your own wedding invitations, RSVP cards, save-the-dates, and other stationery items. There are many online resources and templates available to help you get started.
- Flowers: You can arrange your own wedding flowers or ask a friend or family member to help you. This is a great way to save money on your wedding budget.
- Décor: You can DIY your own wedding décor, such as centrepieces, table runners, gifts, and photo booths. There are many online tutorials and ideas available to help you get creative.
- Favours: You can make your own wedding favours, such as personalized gifts, baked goods, or homemade jams. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding day.
- Food and drinks: If you’re on a tight budget, consider making your own wedding food and drinks. This is also a great way to customize your menu to your own taste and save money on your wedding.
- Music and entertainment: You can create your own wedding playlist or hire a local band or DJ to provide music for your ceremony and reception. Just make sure to see them in action before you book!
- Photography and videography: If you know someone who is handy with a camera, you can take your own wedding photos and videos. This is a great way to save money.
Of course, you don’t have to DIY everything.
You can choose to DIY the areas of your wedding that are most important to you and hire professionals for the areas that you don’t have the time or energy to do yourself.
Here are some additional tips for DIYing your wedding:
- Start planning early. The more time you have to plan, the more likely you are to be able to DIY successfully.
- Be realistic about your skills and abilities. Don’t try to DIY something that you’re not good at. If you’re not sure how to do something, there are many online tutorials and resources available to help.
- Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help with your DIY wedding projects. They’ll usually be happy to lend a hand.
- Have fun! DIYing your wedding can be a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun. Enjoy the process and create a wedding that is truly unique and special to you.
5. Ask for help from friends and family
Your friends and family are typically more than happy to help you with your wedding planning.
Ask them for help with things like setting up, decorating, and cleaning up. You may also be able to get discounts from them on their services, such as photography, catering, and flowers.
6. Take advantage of sales and discounts
Many wedding vendors offer sales and discounts throughout the year. Sign up to relevant email lists and follow them on social media so you don’t miss out on any deals.
7. Don’t be afraid to negotiate to save money on your wedding
Don’t be afraid to negotiate with your wedding vendors. Many suppliers are willing to work with you on price, especially if you’re willing to book during the off-season or book multiple services with them.
Here are some additional practical tips to save money on your wedding:
- Consider getting married at a registry office or place of worship. This is a much cheaper option than getting married at a traditional wedding venue.
- Have a smaller wedding. The fewer guests you have, the less expensive your wedding will be.
- Choose a simple wedding menu. You don’t need to have a five-course meal to impress your guests. A simple but delicious meal will do just fine.
- Cut back on unnecessary extras. Things like wedding favours, transportation and entertainment can add up quickly. If you’re on a tight budget, consider cutting back on some of these extras.
- Don’t be afraid to get creative. There are many ways to save money on your wedding without sacrificing your dream day. Think outside the box and come up with unique and affordable solutions.
Saving money on your wedding doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it could be fun!
It’s more work and requires more planning and coordination, but if you have the same amazing day without spending a fortune, I regard that as the perfect start to married life!
