We're really struggling with our budget- we budgeted for 10k, were on 8k and are now on 12k!! We don't know where we can cut costs- my dress is off the peg, our venue is quite cheap (and non-refundable deposit is paid). We haven't yet sorted flowers and centrepieces, so we could be over budgeting there maybe? Any advice on cost cutting ideas would be greatly appreciated. We're planning to do the invites ourselves but will still need to buy materials etc. Sorry for the long question, I'm just getting very stressed! Thanks in advance xx
I think jts venues that bump the budgets up! Try having more foliage rather than flowers ir go for gypsphillia Gerberas cheap flowers instead of roses lillies etc. Make as much as you can look for people selling their old wedding stuff.
Mine was 10000 now is 15000 . I cut costs by getting a venue dresser it also means I won't be stuck with 11 centrepieces that I will never use again . Also gave me peace of mind that I don't have to worry that it's not being set up the way I want it and got extras such as chocolate fountains . I also went to a local florist for my flowers .
I looked on Facebook for local lady who does flowers from home, much much cheaper than having to pay overheads for shop. I'm having plainish cake on a stand much cheaper. Can add flowers or anything to it yourself
Artificial flowers are a lot cheaper, could you make them yourself? Invites we made ourselves. Centre pieces you can get some really good DIY ideas at hardly any cost too! You could use M&S for a cake? Cheaper again! I'd literally see what you can do yourself and price it and see what you can save.
eBay for flowers I got my flowers 1 bridesmaid 3 corsages and 5 button holes for 79.00 foam roses with broches on them x
Get your invites printed in postcards from Vistaprint. They just get chucked in the bin anyway, no need to spend loads of time and money on them.
Start collecting jars also ask friend and family to I did for centrepieces. I am doing all place cards table names. I even made my own table plan using a pallet. X
Even though you've paid your deposit you could still try getting money off from your venue. Can you cut numbers down? Do your own decorations. We are using old whiskey bottles and such as centre pieces.
You could choose a cheaper meal option. We have gone for afternoon tea, its what i wanted anyway and it works out so much cheaper.
I made all my own bouquets and button holes with silk flowers from dunelm for £50 and it was actually really easy and they look lovely!
Have a look to see if you can find things that other brides are selling etc. They can be much cheaper then x
We got our venue on offer at 1700 for ceremony and reception including wedding breakfast for 50 and buffet for 80. My mum bought my dress and my bridesmaids bought their own. We've bought suits which uped the price a little but then centrepieces and flowers we've done ourselves. A friend is doing out cake and a family member has hired a car for the day and is driving for us as our wedding gift. We haven't spent anymore than 2500. We have sorted it in less than 9 months though! These are my flowers and they're not too shabby to say I'd never done it before! Xx
For table decorations etc see Becky Parker and invites we have done some amazing things have you got the cake sorted
We are going to save loads by not hiring or buying suits. All our best men, parents etc have nice suits anyway so just going to buy matching ties and pocket handkerchiefs I think.You can make centrepieces by saving jars and using any flowers from the supermarket that are cheap at the time. Buy a basic cake from M&S and jazz it up yourself, then use it as dessert so you don't have to pay for one on top.Bridesmaids can wear any nice dress as long as they match, doesn't have to be a 'bridesmaids dress', which are really just evening dresses with 50% wedding tax added :). You can buy bridesmaid's dresses in white or ivory and use as a wedding dress which also works out a lot cheaper. Think about if you really need cars - our wedding is all in one venue and no one is going to see me arrive so will probably just get my dad to drive me or get a taxi. If you want a nice car executive airport cars are much cheaper to hire than wedding cars and will still be a nice Merc or something.
it maybe cheaper to order the invites etc from Vistaprint as they do discount vouchers. eBay is a great place too pick up bargains as well, people sell the left over things from their weddings which are half the price. I got my view on eBay and it was £7 and perfect. my shoes have come from ASOS with a 20% discount , the Jackets for the men i have used love to shop vouchers i earned taking surveys, and will be getting the bridesmaid dresses with these too. I also have earnt amazon vouchers taking surveys which has paid for decorations, sweets for favours and other bits and bobs like a chalk board and pens. global test market and swaybacks are my main money earners, i also use maximiles for the love to shop vouchers. So far i have used about £500 in what i call free money and still have more if i need it. Think savvy
*veil
Mine was £8000 and i doubled that spent to £16000!! Luckily i had two years and paid as we went along. Still have two outstanding bills.
Cheap cake from supermarket decorate yourself, dont bother with invites just ring around. Dont bother with many decorations or wedding favours and unnecessary stuff. One car or use family cars. Dont have choirs or church bells if marrying there.
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