We've looked at all the venues I can find local for the reception and visited a few. Out of all of them only one we actually love BUT its abit expensive :( it's a hotel and we want a sit down meal for 55-70 ppl ( 70 min for most places) and evening reception plus buffet for 200 ppl. All the hotels are similar prices because of the whole sit down meal thing. I've looked into marquees and other options but marquees end up similar price but lots more stress with organising it all. So we've got to decide do we go for the venue we love and have a great feeling about and it be a bit expensive or do we give up on my dream of a sit down meal ( don't no why but one thing I always wanted) and go for a basic buffet which will cut costs. But then I think it's one day ( hopefully one time lol) so should I do something that I've always wanted and like ppl dream of the perfect dress, a sit down meal is what I've always wanted in my wedding. I'm started to get quite stressed about the whole thinking about it all :( any ideas?

If i were you i would save a little more and organise the wedding that i was content with. X

I think u have plenty of time for ur wedding and I always think u should go for ur dream venue rather than regret it afterwards....I'm gonna be sensible and say sit down with ur fiancé,work out what u can realistically save for the wedding up to about 12weeks before (for when balances need to be paid) and if its do-able definitely go for the dream venue

We were in the same boat, the only venue we loved was a bit of a stretch and after reflection we decided to put the date back 6months so we coukd afford it. We thiught the reception was so important to us. A trick my dad told us was to each make a list of the three most important things. These are the things you should go all out for, but everything else can be cut back.

Is there an option to have an out of season or mid-week wedding? The minimum numbers come right down (we picked a sunday)

Thanks ladies think we're guna have A talk n see where else we can do cuts as think my main 3 things r friends n family being there, sit down meal and the dress I guess x

Will the venue be hosting a wedding fayre? Sometimes they'll do a great deal then xx

Maybe you could fetch the price down a bit by having your cake served instead of desert or have cupcakes as favors that you could have for desert. Or have a smaller buffet in the evening. im not having a full buffet im just having bacon butties and cheese on toast which is a lot cheaper. Im also having fish and chips instead of a roast dinner because my other half doesnt realy like a roast and that is cheeper too but still get to have a sit down meal.

im going to a wedding fayre at my venue to see if we can get anything cheaper xx

Follow your heart, like you said it is one day and if it isn't exactly how you want it then you might regret it :)