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How to Save Money on Your Wedding
The average wedding in the UK reportedly costs £15,000 and in the US has risen to between $20,000 and $40,000. While tradition dictates the father of the bride is responsible for paying for the wedding, these days couples generally ignore this and foot the bill themselves. The modern husband and wife to be are also more likely to already live together, have children or at least be saving for a deposit on their first home which makes affording such an extravagant expense more difficult. Thankfully, there are many ways you can save money on your wedding without compromising on the lavish event you dream of.
Try to be flexible about the time and the day you book your wedding for. Saturdays are the most popular, and therefore most expensive, day to marry on so if you really prefer a weekend wedding opt for Sunday. If there is enough notice given to guests it is likely most will be able to attend a week day wedding and this will be by far the most cost effective option.
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Church weddings are still very popular and it can be a great idea to book the venue around one of the major festivals, such as Easter or Christmas. The church will already be decorated for the special occasion which will save you any expense on paying for your own decorations. If a religious wedding is not important to you, look at venues such as parks and gardens which look beautiful and romantic, and require little or no decoration for a wedding.
There are other ways to save money on your wedding decorations. For instance, give your florist an idea of your colour scheme but ask which flowers will be in season at the time of your wedding, as these will work out much cheaper. Avoid getting married around occasions such as Valentines Day and Mother's Day, when florists put their prices up due to the increased demand. Wholesalers are a great cost effective option if you do not mind arranging the flowers yourself - a simple bouquet tied with a ribbon can look very elegant.
The most important aspect of the day for many brides, is finding the perfect dress. Plan well in advance and check out sample sales where designer dresses will be available at bargain prices. Or if you have found your perfect dress but it is a little out of you budget, make a note of the make and model number of the dress and search on the internet for a better deal. Ebay is always an option for cheaper wedding dresses, and you can also take the opportunity to search for cake toppers, wedding favours and other bargains available.
Some beautiful, but inexpensive, wedding invitations can be bought over the internet so don't restrict your search to high street stores. You can opt out of the extravagant details such as personalisation and engraving, and still end up with an elegant invitation. If you (or a generous and willing friend or family member) has any artistic ability, consider buying some card making supplies and creating the invitations yourself. A simple handmade design can look stunning and will cost pennies compared to a similar shop bought design. If you are less artistically inclined and are going for a less formal affair, then printed invitations done at home will work just fine. Many stationary shops now sell paper designed especially for this purpose.
The key to saving on food and drink is to be flexible with what you want. Ask your caterer about the different options available before deciding if a buffet or sit down formal meal is going to give you the best deal. Serving only wine and beer with dinner will be less expensive than providing a full bar, or ask the venue if they allow you to supply your own alcohol as you are likely to save more money this way. If you and your partner are not big drinkers you may even want to consider having a tee total wedding.
When you are paying per head, it is important to remember that it is your big day and that the guest list should be entirely your choice. Invite people because you love them and want them to share in your special day - do not feel pressurised to invite relatives you haven't seen in 10 years or your entire office unless you really want them there. This doesn't just work out more economical with the catering, it also saves money on wedding favours, table centrepieces, chair and table hire, etc.
Enjoy your special day.
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