Author: Mrs2Be
If you are getting married on a budget, you can still have the wedding of your dreams, but you will need to be extra creative.
THE WEDDING DRESS
Every bride wants to look stunning on her wedding day, and the dress is a highly emotional buy. But, there are things you can do in order to look a million dollars without paying a million dollars!
Shop Around
OK, so this sounds obvious enough but it does take some advance planning.
Seasonal Sales
The obvious choice would be to shop during the sales but of course you need to bear in mind that the time of year you are buying is not necessarily the time of year you are going to be wed. Therefore, it is particularly important that you plan ahead.
Closing down sales
Look out for bridal shops that are closing down. You may find information in your local press or simply by walking around.
Cancelled Orders
It is a sad fact that some brides never actually make it to the altar for one reason or another and maybe some bespoke bridal gown designers have dresses that they have made that were never used!
Adverts in local press
Oh come on! It is only ever worn once! However, buy cautiously and check the dress over very thoroughly for marks and damage. Check the washing instructions to see if the dress can be dry cleaned. Some dresses are advertised as never been worn! There could be some bargains to be had.
Ebay
Yes, you heard me, ebay! If you have a good look on ebay, you will find a number of dresses with designer labels without the designer price ticket! Some of these have never been worn!
Stationery
There are so many hobby shops selling everything you need in order to make your own stationery. Even Argos now sells kits or you could go to the likes of Hobbycraft. If you are not particularly artistic, I bet you could find a friend who is!
FLOWERS
Seasonal is best
As obvious as it sounds flowers are cheaper if they are in season. So, if you are not a budding Monty Don, make sure you do your homework and find out which buds are in bloom when!
Keep it simple
Remember sometimes the most powerful statement is the simplest one. A single bloom tied with a pretty ribbon, or a single flower head in a vase as a centre piece on the tables.
The Wedding Reception
This is typically where the biggest chunk of the budget goes but it doesn’t have to break the bank.
Traditionally people have a sit down meal, but you could always have a finger buffet. Or if you would like to bridge the gap (and take the weight off your feet) how about going for top table service and let everyone else help themselves to a finger buffet?
Table Decorations
Who says you have to have flowers, how about balloons? They would be cheaper!
Keep it intimate
The simplest way to keep the cost of the catering down, would be to invite less people! A small intimate wedding can be so romantic though there are the obvious problems of getting round the fact that you have not invited Aunty Doris’ first cousin’s sister’s brother–in-law.
Personally my advice here would be, set your boundaries, and stick to them explaining to put out guests that you are working on a limited budget. People are generally more understanding. Don’t feel that you have to invite everyone’s children either, remember they will probably relish the opportunity to share your special day without the kids in tow anyway – never mind the knees up at the end!
Different Venues
There is no written rule that states you have to have your reception in a Hotel. You might have a favourite pub or perhaps you have a relative in the family who lives in a fabulous pad!
WEDDING CAKES
Now, interestingly, the last couple of weddings I attended dispensed with the traditional “cutting of the cake” and in fact both these weddings had used the popular “cup cake” wedding cakes! This would probably explain why this was!
Most of us did Home Economics in school (or whatever they call it now), you could even organise a ‘girls night in’ and get everyone involved!
Alternatively, perhaps you have a friend or a relative who is particularly good at baking that would be only too pleased to get involved. Remember, there’s nothing to say that you have to have a fruit cake for your wedding cake, though if you do, make sure you have it made in advance of the big day in order for it to mature thoroughly!
ALCOHOL
This is trickier because if your wedding venue is a Hotel, or even a Restaurant, it is likely that they will charge you a corkage charge even if you do take your own alcohol. Again, don’t feel pressurised into providing guests with a free bar, most people would not deem this to be the ‘norm’ anyway.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS
Here is where I would express a word of caution. Lots of people see themselves as the next David Bailey but if they get it wrong, you cannot re-create the day! (well, not without defeating the whole object of getting married on a budget anyway). So, my advice would be that if you do have a budding photographer in the family or amongst friends, make sure you take a look at their stuff. Chances are if they are that keen an amateur photographer they will have plenty of examples to show you!!
Well that’s it from me, feel free to email me if you have any hints and tips of your own on getting married on a budget.
Remember if you a full member of Mrs2Be you can take advantage of our online wedding budget tool and our range of discounts offered by suppliers which is growing weekly, so Join Now.
If you are getting married on a budget, you can still have the wedding of your dreams, but you will need to be extra creative.
THE WEDDING DRESS
Every bride wants to look stunning on her wedding day, and the dress is a highly emotional buy. But, there are things you can do in order to look a million dollars without paying a million dollars!
Shop Around
OK, so this sounds obvious enough but it does take some advance planning.
Seasonal Sales
The obvious choice would be to shop during the sales but of course you need to bear in mind that the time of year you are buying is not necessarily the time of year you are going to be wed. Therefore, it is particularly important that you plan ahead.
Closing down sales
Look out for bridal shops that are closing down. You may find information in your local press or simply by walking around.
Cancelled Orders
It is a sad fact that some brides never actually make it to the altar for one reason or another and maybe some bespoke bridal gown designers have dresses that they have made that were never used!
Adverts in local press
Oh come on! It is only ever worn once! However, buy cautiously and check the dress over very thoroughly for marks and damage. Check the washing instructions to see if the dress can be dry cleaned. Some dresses are advertised as never been worn! There could be some bargains to be had.
Ebay
Yes, you heard me, ebay! If you have a good look on ebay, you will find a number of dresses with designer labels without the designer price ticket! Some of these have never been worn!
Stationery
There are so many hobby shops selling everything you need in order to make your own stationery. Even Argos now sells kits or you could go to the likes of Hobbycraft. If you are not particularly artistic, I bet you could find a friend who is!
FLOWERS
Seasonal is best
As obvious as it sounds flowers are cheaper if they are in season. So, if you are not a budding Monty Don, make sure you do your homework and find out which buds are in bloom when!
Keep it simple
Remember sometimes the most powerful statement is the simplest one. A single bloom tied with a pretty ribbon, or a single flower head in a vase as a centre piece on the tables.
The Wedding Reception
This is typically where the biggest chunk of the budget goes but it doesn’t have to break the bank.
Traditionally people have a sit down meal, but you could always have a finger buffet. Or if you would like to bridge the gap (and take the weight off your feet) how about going for top table service and let everyone else help themselves to a finger buffet?
Table Decorations
Who says you have to have flowers, how about balloons? They would be cheaper!
Keep it intimate
The simplest way to keep the cost of the catering down, would be to invite less people! A small intimate wedding can be so romantic though there are the obvious problems of getting round the fact that you have not invited Aunty Doris’ first cousin’s sister’s brother–in-law.
Personally my advice here would be, set your boundaries, and stick to them explaining to put out guests that you are working on a limited budget. People are generally more understanding. Don’t feel that you have to invite everyone’s children either, remember they will probably relish the opportunity to share your special day without the kids in tow anyway – never mind the knees up at the end!
Different Venues
There is no written rule that states you have to have your reception in a Hotel. You might have a favourite pub or perhaps you have a relative in the family who lives in a fabulous pad!
WEDDING CAKES
Now, interestingly, the last couple of weddings I attended dispensed with the traditional “cutting of the cake” and in fact both these weddings had used the popular “cup cake” wedding cakes! This would probably explain why this was!
Most of us did Home Economics in school (or whatever they call it now), you could even organise a ‘girls night in’ and get everyone involved!
Alternatively, perhaps you have a friend or a relative who is particularly good at baking that would be only too pleased to get involved. Remember, there’s nothing to say that you have to have a fruit cake for your wedding cake, though if you do, make sure you have it made in advance of the big day in order for it to mature thoroughly!
ALCOHOL
This is trickier because if your wedding venue is a Hotel, or even a Restaurant, it is likely that they will charge you a corkage charge even if you do take your own alcohol. Again, don’t feel pressurised into providing guests with a free bar, most people would not deem this to be the ‘norm’ anyway.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS
Here is where I would express a word of caution. Lots of people see themselves as the next David Bailey but if they get it wrong, you cannot re-create the day! (well, not without defeating the whole object of getting married on a budget anyway). So, my advice would be that if you do have a budding photographer in the family or amongst friends, make sure you take a look at their stuff. Chances are if they are that keen an amateur photographer they will have plenty of examples to show you!!
Well that’s it from me, feel free to email me if you have any hints and tips of your own on getting married on a budget.
Remember if you a full member of Mrs2Be you can take advantage of our online wedding budget tool and our range of discounts offered by suppliers which is growing weekly, so Join Now.
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