Cutting the giant cost of your big day

HEAD DOWN THE AISLE WITHOUT THE USUAL £17,000 PRICE TAG

GETTING married is expensive at the best of times but planning your big day is even more daunting as the cost of living crisis bites.

The average wedding cost £17,300 last year, according to hitched.co.uk, with venue hire (£7,600), wedding dress (£1,300) and photography (£1,200) major expenses, while catering bills averaged £65 a head.

An estimated 350,000 couples plan to get married in 2022 as Covid restrictions ease, and it is possible to have the best day of your life, without hitching yourself to a load of debt.

It all starts with a budget

You can keep the cost down without skimping on quality.

“Set an affordable budget, then be strict with yourselves and stick to it. This helps narrow your focus on the things that really matter to you,” says Lisa Forde, wedding expert and founder of Tree of Hearts stationery

Sign up to wedding suppliers’ mailing lists to be first to hear about any offers and ask for free samples before ordering, Lisa adds.

Jeremy Helm, who worked in the wedding industry for years and is now a financial analyst at MWB Solutions, suggests listing essential costs on a spreadsheet before buying anything.

“Couples often start with exciting non-essential items before working out their budget, eating into the money they need for higher priority costs,” he says.

Ring the changes

Wedding ring specialists Queensmith says forget any rules you may have heard about how much to spend on a ring – these have been created by jewellers as marketing ploys. Be realistic about how much you can afford.

The cost should hurt a little, but shouldn’t break the bank. Remember, you have a wedding and honeymoon to fund, too.

Look for jewellers who offer complimentary services, such as free ring resizing and free sonic cleans, so your jewellery looks extra sparkly for the big day.

Lorna Haddon, head of diamonds and jewellery at Beaverbrooks, suggests looking for timeless rings.

“Opt for pieces that will complement your everyday looks to make your investment even more worthwhile.”

Consider your engagement ring as an investment and do your diamond homework, says Karen Barrett, founder of financial adviser locator website unbiased.co.uk.

“Consider vintage or antique rings as you can find real gems. Think about an ethical or lab-grown rock. Or does anyone in your family have something that could be handed down?” she says.

Choose the right time and place

If you’re getting married this year, you have probably already booked a venue, otherwise prepare to be flexible, says Top Cashback’s spokesperson Abigail Yearley. Expect plenty of competition, especially for the peak months of August and September.

“With so many weddings having been delayed due to the pandemic, most venues will likely have a backlog. You may also be able to save a few hundred pounds if you opt to have a wedding outside of summer, depending on your venue’s policies.”

Consider a more intimate ceremony or save by having an outdoor wedding.

“Even with a marquee and caterers, you’re looking at considerable savings,” says Anna Davison, chief executive at the Tiny Wedding Company.

Dress up but keep the price down

There’s no shame buying a budget wedding dress these days.

“Retailers like ASOS are selling dresses for as little as £30, so you could snap up the perfect dress without the hefty price tag,” Abigail says.

Many brides buy a dress but change their mind at the last minute, meaning you can pick up an unworn bargain on sites such as eBay and Gumtree.

Oxfam has a dedicated secondhand bridal section on its online shop, while the British Red Cross has a bridal shop in Edinburgh, and sells vintage wedding dresses on the ASOS Marketplace.

Vintage wedding dresses are on trend, and give you the chance to wear a truly unique piece. Most dresses were only worn once and were well cared for, so are in mint condition.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate for a reasonable price.

Say it with seasonal flowers

Surrey-based wedding florist Hannah Martin Flowers says order seasonal flowers if possible. They’re at their best and will be at their lowest price during their season. For further savings and a more personal touch, look for a florist who is happy to use any foraged foliage that you pick the week before your wedding.

Commit yourself to insurance

No matter how much careful planning you do, no end of things could go wrong in the run-up to the wedding or on the day itself.

So it is worth sorting out a specialist insurance policy to protect you against cancellations, accidents, illness, lost or stolen wedding rings and venue or supplier failure.

You can compare the policies on sites such as moneysupermarket.com.

Also check what is covered under your existing home and contents policy.

“Most insurers will automatically uplift your contents insurance for a set time before and after the big day, so that things like dresses, suits, presents and decorations are covered,” says Julian Hartley, insurance director at Tesco Bank.

Some policies may even cover them at the venue, or while being taken to and from the reception, he says.

Wedding favours

Wedding favours are a couple’s way of showing a token of appreciation to guests for attending their big day.

They are a nice touch but get it wrong and you are throwing away money, says Kathryn Hague from wholesalesweets.co.uk.

“Stick to a budget of £1 per favour, and don’t go too niche. You can’t go wrong with tasty chocolates, sugared almonds, yummy sweets or mini cakes,” she says.

Or make them yourself. “This doesn’t have to be complicated, you could buy some small sweet bags or mason jars and fill them up with a selection of pick’n’mix treats,” Kathryn adds.

And put your own skills to use, says Steve Reay, head of financial wellbeing at HSBC UK.

“Save money by making handwritten invitations, home-grown confetti or handmade gifts for guests.”

Don’t saddle yourself with debt

You don’t want your wedding to be unforgettable for the wrong reason – because you are left with huge debts

‘‘ Save by making handwritten invitations and home-grown confetti

hanging over you. Two thirds get into debt due to their wedding day, with the average amount being £3,958, according to credit management company Lowell.

Chief executive John Pears said one in four puts the bill on their credit card but this can cause long-term marital strains.

“Your wedding day memories will be tarnished if you are still struggling to clear the cost for years to come,” he warns.

Steve at HSBC suggests couples with debt problems should contact charities such Citizens Advice, National Debtline and the StepChange Debt Charity.

Make it a real family affair

Call in family or friends with skills or hobbies, who may help for free. This could be a photographer, videographer, make-up artist, DJ, flower arranger or hair stylist.

Stacey Lowman, financial coach at claromoney.co.uk, says a fun way to capture photos on the day is to ask all guests to contribute on their own cameras and smartphones.

“This will add a real first-person perspective and you may even get a few candid gems. You could also save on professional photography.”

Craft days with friends and family are a great way to get together and make homemade table decorations, place names and other decorations.

“Save on invitation cards by making digital invitations instead,” Stacey says.

With bridesmaids and ushers, be clear on what you are paying for and what they will need to contribute, she adds.

If you are not getting married until next year, it makes sense to start planning now.

“Start a separate savings pot for a wedding fund as early as you can, and save a bit of money every month,” Stacey says.

“If you’re really hooked on marriage, you could start before you’ve met the person in your life.”