Planning the most magical day of your life is a wonderful experience, but it comes at a high premium. If you add up the average cost of a wedding in the UK it comes to a staggering 21,000 – and that doesn’t even include the rings. Rings are a necessary expense, however, so take a look at a site like https://gemaandco.com/collections/cushion-cut-moissanite-engagement-rings if you haven’t decided on them yet, and then include them in your budget. The expenses soon build up, but don’t worry – we’ve got some top money-saving tips to help you get the wedding of your dreams without having to worry about the stresses of starting your married life in debt.
Plan a wedding budget
As soon as you set foot in a wedding fair you’ll see how easy it is to get carried away preparing for your fairy-tale wedding. Start your wedding preparations by writing out a wedding budget that takes in every last detail including catering, drinks, wedding venue, photography, wedding favours, accessories and gifts for the bridesmaids and the best man. Try to keep your wedding budget as realistic as you can and leave some contingency for the inevitable impulse buys along the way!
Negotiate the best deals
Another top money saving tip for your wedding is to practise your negotiation skills! While many hotels or stately homes only work within set deals that include catering and drinks, some venues will let you choose your own caterers which will give you the chance to shop around and get the very best deals. If wine isn’t included in a venue package, consider taking a trip across the channel to France and stock up on some cheap bottles for your wedding celebrations. Photographers and florists are often prepared to negotiate their prices, particularly if you’re opting for a date in February or March where they might not have any other bookings. Quite simply, if you don’t ask, you don’t get – so negotiating the best deals is always worth a try!
Go vintage for your special day
Vintage wedding themes are definitely on trend at the moment and also offer a fantastic way to keep costs down in style. Your vintage theme can be carried through your entire wedding day, from your dress, shoes and accessories to wedding favours and table centrepieces. Avoid vintage wedding fairs where prices will be sky high, and concentrate on finding vintage bargains in second-hand shops or antique centres for the best deals. You could even get together with friends and family and make your own vintage centrepieces or wedding favours using lace decorations or painting flowery jugs. The vintage wedding theme is also perfect for homemade wedding invitations and thank you cards after the big event.
Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life, and you’ll want it to be an unforgettable celebration of your love for each other. But there’s really no need to overspend and start your married life off in crippling debt; with a realistic budget, good negotiation and a little help from your friends you can have the wedding day of your dreams without breaking the bank.
