Five ideas to help you cut the cost of your wedding
With everyday costs around the UK rising, many couples are looking at ways they can reduce their wedding expenses. Here are five budget wedding ideas.
According to research conducted by money.co.uk, the average cost of a wedding in the UK is around £31,974, which will take Brits approximately seven years to save up for. This cost has nearly doubled (46%) over the past decade.
The study also found that the average Brit will tie the knot at 33 years old. This means that newlyweds need to start saving for their wedding no later than 26 years old to afford their nuptials.
As wedding season starts, money.co.uk savings expert Lucinda O’Brien has provided her expert tips on how you can cut costs for your big day.
1) Make a realistic plan
Firstly, in order to efficiently save for your wedding, you will need some form of plan or structure. Use planning tools to make decisions regarding how much you can afford to spend, how much you can save each month, and how long you want to save. Set a reasonable and doable monthly goal by taking a look at your finances and what you can afford.
Remember to be realistic with your money and recognise that some months you may need to adjust your budget if unexpected costs arise. By allowing for flexibility and movement, you’ll be more prepared for these occurrences and less likely to feel stressed.
2) Save early
The earlier you start to save, the more manageable the expense will be. You may find it useful to set up a regular payment (direct debit or standing order) to automatically transfer a set amount into your monthly savings.
Setting up a fixed-rate savings account in advance will not only help you manage your savings but will also protect your wedding funds from being touched and allow you to earn interest.
3) Shop around
While some wedding expenses, like the register office fee for your marriage certificate, are fixed, most providers are amenable to some negotiation.
If you mention that you are getting married right away, you will be charged significantly more for everything you book. Most companies know that you’ll want the best for your special day and are willing to pay more for it. You should compare prices for everything, including the location, cake, honeymoon, and hairdresser.
Looking at alternative wedding dates may also be beneficial. Selecting a popular wedding date is likely to increase the cost of all wedding expenses. Your money may go further in the autumn and winter months due to decreased demand for wedding venues and entertainment.
4) Consider wedding insurance
Before you make any purchases, think about buying wedding insurance cover. If something goes wrong and you need to cancel, like your venue closing down or a member of the wedding party becoming ill, your insurance may be able to cover you so you don’t lose all the money you’ve put into the wedding. However, it may not cover every circumstance so make sure to read the fine print before buying.
5) Make the most of your skills
If you’re prepared to do some of the work yourself, you can reduce the costs associated with organising a wedding. Calculate the cost of the materials and the time it will take to prepare enough for all of your guests before deciding whether it is worthwhile.
To make the task more fun and to complete it faster, you could always enlist some friends to help. You can create a variety of things to reduce the wedding costs, including invitations, table decorations, cupcakes, homemade truffles as wedding favours, thank you gifts, and more.
Photo by Foto Pettine
