Money, or a lack of money, is one of the biggest hurdles you face when planning a wedding. The latest statistics suggest that the average UK wedding now costs more than £21,000. Now, most of us don’t have that kind of cash lying around. The good news is that you don’t have to cut corners or miss out if you want the day of your dreams. With these helpful hacks, you’ll get the day you deserve without breaking the bank.
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Budgeting tips for engaged couples
When you get engaged, you’re probably incredibly excited about the entire wedding planning process. Before you know it, you’ve written a guest list, decide what colour theme you want, and chosen your first dance song. It’s easy to get carried away in the romance of the situation, but try and be methodical. It’s best to set a budget before you start booking anything.
When you’re budgeting, work out how much you have available to spend on the wedding in total. Put together any savings you want to allocate, plus other sources, such as help from your parents. Once you’ve got a total in mind, you can work out how much you want to spend on what. Do some research, so you’ve got a rough idea of the kinds of costs you can expect. When you’re ready, start ticking off your biggest costs, for example, the venue and catering.
As you book, pay deposits, or clear bills in full, update your planner or spreadsheet. Keep a record of invoices, so you know where you are financially, and how much more you’ve got to pay.
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Making savings
There are so many ways you can make savings when you’re planning a wedding. On the surface, anything connected to a wedding day appears to be more expensive than normal. But if you shop around, you’re bound to find better deals. Take bridesmaid dresses, for example. If you go to a bridal boutique, you’re likely to pay in excess of £100 per dress. If you shop for formal dresses on the high street, you can pick up beautiful styles for a fraction of the price. You can also compare prices on suit hire, transport, and rings. You’ll often find that the prices of very similar rings vary hugely according to the jeweller you visit. If you’re looking for Russian wedding rings, for example, visit a few different stores, try some styles, and search online. You can then compare styles based on the thickness of the band and the carat value.
You can also make huge savings by embracing DIY. Get crafty, and you won’t need to worry about forking out for favours, place cards or table plans. You can also make the most of your family’s talents to help out with tasks like baking cakes, arranging flowers and doing hair and makeup.
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Are you hoping to plan a beautiful wedding without going bankrupt? Weddings aren’t cheap, but there are ways of making them more affordable. Set a budget, and keep a tight handle on spending. Look at ways you could save, such as making your own favours and doing your own decorations. It also pays to shop around and compare prices and styles before you buy. Good luck!
Some very informative points made here. Creating your own stationery is always a great way to save money and have fun with your planning too 🙂