5 Ways to Shop for Your Wedding and Save Money

Your wedding day should be all about celebrating love with your friends and family, but with the average wedding in the UK now costing an astounding £20,273 according to bridal magazine You and Your Wedding, it seems that more and more couples are left with a stack of bills rather than happy memories of their big day.

Of course, there are some aspects of your wedding which you can’t scrimp on – the registrar’s fees and your marriage certificate for example. But there are still many ways to cut costs without compromising on your dreams. Read on for our 5 best tips on how you can save money while still enjoying a day to remember for the rest of your life.

• Tip One – Many brides dream of a Summer wedding and few couples want to risk a downpour on their big day, but the truth is that couples can save a fortune simply by getting married in Spring or Autumn. These months are often classed as ‘off-peak’ by wedding suppliers and come with unexpected benefits – a wedding in March for example, allows brides the pick of the prettiest (and often cheapest) springtime flowers for their bouquets.
• Tip Two – Crafting has become incredibly popular in the past few years, so brides can now have a go at designing their own unique wedding invitations for a fraction of the cost charged by professional stationers. You could also try making your own table menus, seating plans and save the date cards – stores such as WH Smith and Hobbycraft have a huge selection of low cost crafting kits to choose from, and you can also buy supplies over the internet.
• Tip Three – Make eBay your friend! Many professional wedding suppliers now sell through online auction sites, and you can find extremely cheap wedding decorations and accessories. Many brides recoup money after their own weddings by selling off surplus invitations and even top-end designer wedding dresses at bargain prices.
• Tip Four – Save on your wedding cake by selecting a delicious off-the-shelf iced occasion cake from a quality supermarket. Alternatively you could ask a family friend to make your cake instead of purchasing a traditional wedding gift.
• Tip Five – Food and drink costs can often spiral out of control, with some wedding venues insisting on expensive set menus. Do your research on wedding websites to find venues who will allow you to supply your own wine, and ease the stress of wedding planning by enjoying a low-cost booze cruise across the Channel as part of your wedding preparations!

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