You’ve set the date, you’ve sorted out your marquee hire at the perfect Surrey location, you may even have picked the dress – but what to do now all the supposedly big jobs have been ticked off?
A wedding budget tends to prioritise the venue and the dress, so it can be a little bit of a shock when you realise just how much the rest of the wedding is going to cost, especially when the details you may never have considered suddenly become must-have items – seat covers are a good example of unnecessary necessary hires on the average couple’s nuptial shopping list.
Ditch The Cake
Controversially, the site suggests that if ‘cake’ isn’t your thing, then why not skip the traditional slicing ceremony and have a dessert bar set up instead?
Doing this is as efficient as killing three birds with one stone. A dessert or sweet bar gives guests something toothsome for the end of their meal that is more fun and more memorable than a three-tiered fruit cake that has to be carved up by the caterers beyond all recognition, while a few colourful pick-n-mix bags or little boxes encourages guests to take some of the confectionary home with them as their favour.
‘Capsule Bar’ And Corkage
It is a lovely gesture to put cash behind the bar to ensure your guests are happy and well lubricated for the merriment of the day, but one way of keeping costs down is by limiting what is included in the free bar so the money stretches to just a selection of beers and wines, and perhaps one or two special cocktails.
In addition, it might be worth checking how much your catering service charges for corkage, because buying wines in bulk from a wine merchant might work out more cost-effective with corkage than getting your wine through your caterer.
Pre-Loved Precious Metals
Your wedding rings are meant to be symbolic of eternal love and commitment, so why not use the precious metals you already own to have them recast into the rings you will wear till death you part? Broken jewellery, pieces you may not have worn for a long time because they have gone out of style or don’t fit, and items from loved ones that you simply don’t wish to wear are all perfect for melting down and repurposing into the perfect wedding ring.
And if you do not believe you have enough gold lying around the house, reach out to friends and family and maybe ask for a piece of gold jewellery they no longer want in lieu of a wedding present in the knowledge their gift will form part of your wedding ring.
Seasonal Blooms
Finally, step away from the wedding magazines and expensive flower arrangements and think about the time of year and where your wedding will be held – especially what nature will be doing at that moment in time.
Taking a seasonal approach to flowers is a great way to save money, while big blooms make the same impact as a handful of more delicate flowers. Why not choose sunflowers for your country wedding in summertime? While a hydrangea is a dramatic choice all year round.
If you’re deadset on getting married, then check out our Guide to Planning your Wedding, and good luck!
