Here are some pointers to ease the financial burden of the big event, without compromising on quality.
Reducing the head count
Is it really necessary to have Uncle Dave, that old family friend who hasn't been seen for eight years, at the main reception? The bride and groom can cut back on guests by remembering that this is their day. Myriad second cousins don't have to attend just to conform to tradition and keep extended family happy.
Elope
Is there anything more romantic than being whisked away for an illicit wedding abroad? Costs can be drastically reduced by marrying on a tropical island and circumnavigating all the trappings of the traditional white wedding/ A guaranteed reduction in stress can be achieved by slipping abroad.
Book out of season
The fashionable wedding season tends to run from June to early September. Cut costs by booking out of these times, and the bride and groom could negotiate an improved rate with their chosen venue by bringing them business outside of this peak season. A winter wedding can be as romantic as one conducted in the height of summer. Honeymoons will also be cheaper, saving some valuable cash for other things.
Music
As it can cost upwards of one thousand pounds just to hire a band for your evening reception, why not investigate the possibility of having a jukebox at the venue instead, so that guests can choose their ideal music? It's possible to hire a beautiful Wurlitzer for as little as £150, and in this way guarantee the reliability and standard of the evening entertainment.
Watch the extras
It’s the little things that cause the cost of a wedding to shoot sky high. Shop around for the cheapest flower arrangers and suppliers to get the best deal. The bride and groom may also be brave and ask a valued friend to video the day, and even step in as the photographer. They will know exactly what pictures are required, and in this digital age it’s much easier to get top-notch photos for minimal cost.
Search for the perfect dress
There’s no need to splash out on a designer wedding dress, to find a perfect fit. Dresses only get worn once, and more and more people are willing to sell their wedding dress online to enable someone else to get pleasure from it. Check out some online auction sites such as Ebay for low-cost, high-quality designer deals.
Use the wedding list for something really useful
Rather than setting up a wedding list that has the traditional cutlery, kettles and linen on it, why not think about asking for vouchers? Requesting travel vouchers could pay for the cost of the honeymoon, or the couple could even be daring and request money to alleviate the cost of the wedding. Guests will understand, and will have the satisfaction of knowing they will be giving something that is really useful, rather than the inevitable corkscrews and toasters.
Further reading
- The Everything Weddings on a Budget Book: Plan the Wedding of your Dreams, without Going Bankrupt. Cameron, B. Adams Media Corporation, 2007.
- The Wedding Diaries: How to get married in style without breaking the bank. Bloom, L. White Ladder Press, 2007.
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