No need to tie yourself up in knots on wedding costs
GETTING married is expensive at the best of times, but the total bill will look 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) the biggest expenses, while catering bills average £65 a head.
An estimated 350,000 couples plan to get married in 2022 as Covid restrictions ease, and it is possible to keep the cost down without skimping on quality, said Lisa Forde, wedding expert and founder of Tree of Hearts stationery.
Set an affordable budget then be strict with yourselves and stick to it, she said. “This helps narrow your focus on the things that really matter to you.”
Consider going off-peak, she said: “Weddings in July, August or December can cost thousands of pounds more yet September and October often have some of the most beautiful weather of the year.”
Forde has noticed more couples deciding to downsize their wedding guest list. “Do you need to invite family you haven’t seen in 10 years just because it’s etiquette, or friends’ partners who you’ve never met?”
Sign up to wedding suppliers’ mailing lists to be first to benefit from any offers and ask for free samples before ordering.
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 put the bill on their credit card but this can cause long-term marital strains: “Your wedding day memories will be tarnished if you’re still struggling to clear the cost.”