Getting married has always been expensive.
Your wedding day should be everything you ever dreamed of, but we also understand with the cost of living rising and other financial constraints, you may be looking for ways to save money on your wedding plans.
Here are 5 tips for great ways to save money that no one will notice…and, if they do, your guests will love too.
Money-saving tips for wedding plans and your guests
1 – Get crafty and clever with DIY decorations
There are so many wonderful types of wedding decorations, flower arrangements and table centrepieces that can be made by yourselves.
Go exploring on sites like Pinterest or just do a simple search and you will be flooded with ideas.
There are great ways to recycle old jars, boxes and baskets. You will also find great sustainable ideas, such as using dried flowers, which can also be cost-saving.
Have you received a hampers.com gift recently? If so, reuse your hamper basket or willow tray to present kids’ activities for your younger guests to choose from, to store the wedding favours and as a memory box.
2 – Ask for help instead of gifts
Florist…photographer…wedding stationery designer…cake maker…
Approaching all of these professionals can be hard work. Getting quotes. Working out what you can afford and who you want to work with.
But, have you thought about looking ‘closer to home’? Do you have an aunty who is a dab hand at flower arranging? Or an uncle with a vintage car? Do you have a friend who is an excellent baker? Do you have a cousin who could design your invitations and table plan display?
Ask for their help and skills.
You can offer to pay them, of course, or you may want to ask if they could help you out instead of a wedding gift. Many people adore being involved in weddings and helping out the couple where they can.
Helping and supporting you to make your dream day come to fruition feels great…
Put your loved ones' skills to good use and save some pennies along the way.
3 – Buy vintage wedding outfits
How many wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen suits and wedding day guests’ outfits are worn just once? What a waste!
Take a look at what vintage, second hand and upcycled wedding outfits are available…many at half the price of buying new.
Encourage your guest to wear that dress lingering at the back of their wardrobe or to visit their local charity shop or dress agency too.
No need to ‘buy now’ for your wedding…let’s reuse the beautiful clothing ready-made and wait for another outing!
4 – Keep it small
Many weddings are priced ‘per head’, so consider having a smaller and more intimate wedding – especially for the ceremony and the traditional wedding breakfast reception.
You could then have a series of smaller receptions or events too, giving you the chance to see and talk with your guests.
Or have a big ‘wedding party’ after the official day. Hire the local hall or having your post-wedding party in a pub function room or garden can often be cheaper than the usual wedding reception locations.
5 – Sell on unused or reusable items
After the big day, you may feel a bit exhausted, as well as a little down that it is all over.
However, why not focus on bringing joy to another couple by selling anything you didn’t use or anything which could be easily reused? From table decorations to those spare boxes of bubbles that didn’t get used, there is a wide range of selling sites that make it easy to pass them on.
You can offer another bride or groom the chance to have something simply beautiful at their wedding at a cut price cost but also earn back a little money for yourselves too.
Wedding party gifts
If you do get lots of people involved in your wedding you are probably going to want to show your gratitude. Do take a look at this post to inspire you:
…and remember, hampers.com have a wide range of hampers, food baskets and gift boxes to suit all budgets.
