Our 21 super savvy money saving tips might help you achieve your dream wedding.

Weddings are expensive, we all know that and planning them can feel like a logistical nightmare, balancing wants versus needs and all the time keeping your budget in mind.

Our practical tips are designed to help you make your day a magical experience without breaking the bank.

1. Budget
2. Midweek Marvels
3. Something Old
4. Something Borrowed
5. Stationary Savings
6. Ask a Friend
7. Keep it Together
8. DIY It
9. Know your Needs
10. Creative Catering
11. Corkage
12. Cut cost Cakes
13. Seasonal Flowers
14. Local Suppliers
15. Polaroid Pictures
16. Make your own Entertainment
17. Cash Back Sites
18. Free Delivery
19. Off the Peg
20. Shop around
21. Guestlists

1. Budget

Whilst it’s not the most exciting thing (unless you’re like me and love an excel spreadsheet) your wedding. budget is key to getting the most out of your money. And more importantly seeing where every penny is going.

Take some time to work out your overall wedding budget, then split this into categories such as venues, catering, dresses and suppliers. As you make your commitments make sure you update. your budget, money you save in one area means you have more to spend in another so keeping a close eye on your wedding finances will help make your dream a reality.

2. Midweek Weddings

Saturdays are the most expensive day to get married by far. Add in a summer day and these costs can easily be double or even triple what they are mid week. It’s always worth taking to your venue to understand how prices fluctuate throughout the week and months.

I know some couples worry that a midweek wedding means their guests might not come, but I can categorically guarantee you this won’t happen. If someone you love is getting married, you’ll be there, no matter the day, even if it means taking a day off work.

3. Something Old

As the saying goes Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue. This is actually a great way to save some money and incorporate a bit of luck into your day.

Not everything in your wedding needs to be brand new, maybe someone you know has a beautiful old car they can take you to the church in, or there might even be a vintage wedding dress in your family. Get creative and often you can make huge savings by using items that aren’t brand new.

If you’re decorating the venue yourself, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to pick up second hand decor from someone else’s day. Facebook Marketplace, eBay and Preloved are great places to find these at a fraction of the retail cost.

4. Something Borrowed

Keeping with the above theme borrowed items are another great way to save money. You’ll be amazed what items your friends and family may have that will perfectly complement your day.

From jewellery, to shoes and bridesmaid dresses don’t be afraid to ask. I know people who have borrowed chairs and tables from their sports club, or flower stands from their grandmas conservatory. Make a list of the items you think you will need and then see which you think you may be able to borrow.

5. Stationary Savings

Wedding stationary can soon add up. With save the date cards, invites, orders of service, table plans, place holders, thank you cards and more it can be a large part of a budget.

There are a huge number of budget stationary options out there, from off-the-peg styles in Homebargains and Hobbycraft to personalised items on eBay, or you can even make your own - Pinterest is awash with fantastic low-cost DIY stationary ideas.

6. Ask a Friend

Our friends are a wonderfully talented bunch. I’m sure most of us know someone who always has the perfect makeup, can whip up a french braid in seconds or can make cupcakes to die for.

Or those friends that are only too happy to help with any request you have from moving home to mending a garden gate.

Ask your friends for help. Can someone do the bridesmaids hair and makeup? Is there someone who owns a van, trailer or pickup that could help move furniture to the reception venue? All of this can make huge savings and will love being part of your day.

Chocolates and Prosecco are a fantastic way to thank these superstars.

7. Keep it Together

One surefire way to save money is to keep your wedding and reception at the same venue. Normally these venues offer a package deal and you also don’t need to factor in the travel costs of moving between your wedding and wedding reception venue.

8. DIY It

From stationary to table decorations and a whole lot more, there’s not a lot you can’t achieve with some DIY. YouTube and Pinterest are full of fantastic ideas.

Save those jars from sauces and jams and turn them into beautiful centre pieces for your table.

9. Know your Needs

As human beings we’re very good at getting confused between our Needs and Wants. Make a list of what are your no compromise, need to haves. Alongside this keep a list of your nice to haves.

Once you’ve got the important needs sorted, if there’s money left in your budget this is where you can start to have some of the nice to haves.

10. Creative Catering

Catering can be a huge cost. Normally 3 courses and a sit down meal, this can run into a big cost per head. So think creatively here. From buffets, to tipis and food vans it doesn’t need to be a sit down affair, and quite often your guests will thank you for it.

Socialising whilst eating from a paper plater, or juggling a juicy burger can really be a highlight of the day. Reach out to local caterers or even favourite coffee shops and see if they can help.

11. Corkage

Finding a venue that doesn’t charge corkage can save you money. Make sure you check with your venue if you’re providing your own drinks.

12. Cut cost Cakes

Wedding cakes are a work of art and take a huge amount of skill to make. But you can save money by not having a traditional cake.

Consider having cupcakes or a talented friend may be able to make one for you at cost price, but also don’t be scared to talk to your cake maker and explain your budget, they’ll be able to help and guide you if they know how much they are working with. Never be scared to be upfront with any of your suppliers about costs, it makes everyones job easier.

13. Seasonal Flowers

No wedding is complete without flowers, and whilst we could tell you to cut these right back we know it’s a big part of the day for a lot of people.

Speaking to your florist and using their knowledge will help you enormously here. If the flowers you have your heart set on are not in season then you’re going to pay a lot more money as they will need to be imported. Keeping your flowers to those in season will give you the best value for money.

14. Local Suppliers

Keeping your suppliers local will help keep costs down. Most suppliers won’t charge for travel within a certain radius so do keep this in mind when researching and obtaining quotes.

15. Polaroid Pictures

Photo booths have become a common theme in lots of wedding receptions and it’s easy to see why; they’re great fun!

But you can quite easily replicate this on a smaller budget, a couple of polaroid cameras, some photo booth props and you’re good to go. You could even encourage people to take a snap, write a message and stick it in your wedding guest book.

16. Make your Own Entertainment

DJ’s, Fire-walkers, Magicians, evening entertainment can send costs spiralling. Again this is where we need to look to our friends and see if they have any skills that can be put to good use.

Entertainment for smaller guests can also be a consideration, but some tents and colouring books along with plenty of space to run around will take care of this for you.

17. Cash back Sites

Before you make a purchase from a website, research discount codes and cash back sites. This is a fantastic way of saving a little bit of extra money. There’s some fantastic browser extensions such as Honey and Quidco which will do this for you, as you shop.

18. Free Delivery

When ordering items online, check delivery charges and make use of places offering free delivery where possible. If there’s a minimum order charge to qualify for free delivery, it may even make sense to purchase something to bring it up to this amount rather than paying for delivery.

Lots of delivery charges can soon mount up.

19. Off the Peg

Whilst we may all dream about the perfect bespoke bridal gown or handmade suits those really do come with a very steep price tag. Don’t be afraid to shop off the peg, particularly when it comes to outfits for the wedding party.

There are fantastic retailers who supply beautiful designs and a good seamstress will ensure these fit to perfection.

20. Shop Around

I cannot stress this enough. Whatever it is your are buying, from your table decor to your wedding dress, shop around.

Particularly if something you are buying is branded, you should easily be able to find this for sale in several places. Shop around, use discount codes and cashback to ensure you get the best value possible.

21. Guest Lists

This can be a controversial one, but one of the biggest costs of the day is the people you invite. Every guest comes at a cost and sometimes you have to be a bit ruthless and decide if you really want to pay for that person.

Besides your family friend that lived in the same street you grew up on, you haven’t seen since you were 7 and still calls you Emma even though your names Anna shouldn’t be too hard to cull from a guest list.

Make sure you have the people there that really matter to you and not that you feel you should to please other people.

 

I hope you’ve found this blog helpful and that you can see with some creativity and planning you can have the day of your dreams no matter the size of your budget.