Every bride wants their wedding day to be special and perfect, and this doesn’t necessarily have to cost the earth.
We want to share with you some ideas and tips on how to keep your wedding planning costs as low as possible,
whilst giving you all the aspects of your perfect day you expect.
Throwing an Engagement Party
Once your partner has popped the question you will want to tell the world! Engagement Parties are an increasingly popular way of celebrating your good news with loved ones.
One way to keep costs low is to hold your Engagement Party at your or a friends home. Another money saving idea is to ask all your guests to bring a plate of food, this could be organised by a list which is circulated around friends and family – similar to the way Gift Lists work, and ask everyone to chose an item to bring.
Go through all friends and family and make use of their talents, can anyone bake you a cake? decorate your venue? make invitations etc. All these will save you a lot of money and they add a personal touch.
Planning Your Wedding
Before you do anything, it’s very important to set a realistic budget, which you can stick to. We have a free printable Budget Planner which you can print and note down what you are budgeting for each area of your wedding planning. Then you can write actual costings down and see where you have saved, can you add some of the cash saved on one item to another.
The sooner you book suppliers, you may be able to secure prices and of course availability.
Wedding Cake and Catering
Easy one this! have a family member to help by baking a cake or cupcakes
Venue
Can you hold both your ceremony and reception in the same venue? Most civil ceremony venues will have packages for couples so they know the costs upfront, and include, ceremony, wedding breakfast, welcome drinks, entertainment and evening buffet. Having a venue that is close to you, family and friends will no doubt save on travelling costs.
Wedding Dress
One of the most important decisions surrounding your wedding is of course your Wedding Dress. You may have childhood memories of what you want your dress to look like when you’re older, so you’ve probably got an idea what you want. It’s important you shop around to find one that suits you. Off the peg dresses will be the most cost effective way of buying your bridal gown. Although now a lot of department stores are bringing out their own designs of bridal wear at very affordable prices, so if you are tight on your budget please do consider one of these.
Photography and Videography
Try and secure your wedding date with your chosen Photographer and Videographer as soon as you decide, most will freeze their current year prices for you and most now offer package deals, and can work to fit your budget.
Really tight budget? Some Photographers who are starting out need a portfolio and experience and some even offer FREE photography bookings! might be worth ringing local universities or colleges to information if this is offered locally to you.