If you recoil in horror when you read about the average cost of a wedding, don’t panic. You’re not alone! The average UK wedding now costs in the region of £27,000. If you’ve just got engaged and you’re wondering how on earth you’re going to get that kind of money together for the day of your dreams, have faith. Affording the wedding of your dreams is possible! If you’re about to start the planning process, here are some tips to help you organise an unforgettable day without blowing the budget.
Setting your budget
The first thing to do when you start planning a wedding is set a budget. Nobody wants to have those awkward conversations with their parents about how much they’re willing to donate to the cause, but the sooner you get them out of the way, the better. If you have parents or other family members contributing to your wedding, ask them for a figure and add this to whatever you have saved or you’re hoping to save along the way. This will give you an accurate idea of how much you can afford to spend. If you can’t rely on donations or gifts from others, there are ways of raising money, but it’s best to tread carefully before you look into options like loans for bad credit. Make plans for the budget you have now first, and then consider borrowing. If you aren’t quite at the sum you need to be, it’s often possible to make savings on items on your list that aren’t going to make or break your wedding.
Prioritising purchases
Every couple has items on their list of things to buy that are more important than others. Some brides, for example, are desperate for the dream dress and they’re willing to forgo other things, such as table favours, a live band and a 5-tier cake to get that gown. Go through what you’ve written down, and work out where you want to splurge and where you can save. Don’t feel pressured to have everything you’d normally find at a wedding. Just because other people have a sit-down meal doesn’t mean you have to if you’d rather have something more relaxed, which is also cheaper. You can also save money by making your own favours and table plans, sending online invitations, and asking guests to arrange their own transport.
Choosing a date
You may not think that the date of your wedding has much to do with your budget, but it can actually make a huge difference. If you choose a Saturday in the height of the summer or a national holiday, you’re going to pay a lot more than you would for a weekday in the autumn, winter or early spring months. During the low season, venue hire fees are lower, but you can also make savings on transport, catering, photography, and entertainment.
Weddings are expensive, but you don’t have to give up on the wedding of your dreams just because you don’t have thousands of pounds lying around. It is possible to plan a perfect day on a budget and to make savings along the way. Set a budget, stick to it, and focus on what’s really important to you.