There’s no question that weddings are expensive and that we’d all prefer to spend more time enjoying the day than worrying about how much that buttonhole flower costs. There are quite a few things you can do to keep down your wedding costs and make your day magical, memorable and affordable, all at the same time. Here are some of our favourite ideas.
The venue is your most significant expense, one of the most critical parts of your day to organise. If you don’t mind having your wedding in the offseason, which is usually anytime from April to September, you may be able to afford the venue of your dreams. Many venues slash their costs below 50 per cent compared to peak season prices, meaning you’ll get much more for your money if you’re willing to brave the chill and have a November wedding, for example. You can go one step further and have a weekday wedding as venues push down prices to drive business. You might be able to get a few extras thrown in too. Just be sure to give your guests plenty of notice so they can book time off work as necessary.
From your invitations and “save the date” cards to favours, decorations and centrepieces, getting crafty and making your own will significantly reduce your costs across your wedding. Get your friends together and set up a production line, or buy designs off the internet and get them printed yourself. As you won’t be paying labour costs, you can go the extra mile and save lots of money. This is especially true if you have a lot of invitations to send out or favours to make. DIY weddings are becoming increasingly popular due to the savings made, so there are plenty of resources and information to help you.
It might sound strange to want a second-hand dress, ring and decorations, but bear with us! Vintage rings are often cheaper than brand-new ones, not to mention they can be much more unique and may have a romantic history behind them. This includes engagement rings, where you can get better gemstones and designs at half the cost of new ones. Second-hand wedding dresses are becoming very popular due to their low cost. They’re usually as good as new and may be in a discontinued design. Decorations and centrepieces can be sourced from free online listing sites, charity shops and car boots.
Being savvy with your flowers and food can bring you significant savings on your wedding day. Ensure the flowers you choose are in season, as some flowers can be up to 10 times more expensive than others, mainly due to being imported from abroad. Choosing a buffet dinner over a sit-down meal is another way to save money and doesn’t have to feel cheap. You can often get a decadent buffet feast for the exact cost as a sit-down budget meal, so research catering options to find good deals here.
