How to save money on your wedding: All the money saving tips you need to know

Dream weddings don’t come cheap, all of those little flourishes and romantic touches add up. Even if you’re planning a minimalist ‘I do’, essentials like the venue, food, and entertainment need to be accounted for. But there are ways to plan a wedding on a budget without sacrificing the magic of the day. We’re talking cost-saving tips for wedding flowers, tricks to help you save money on wedding catering, and insider knowledge on finding an affordable wedding venue.

Just because you're planning a wedding on a budget, doesn’t mean you have to forego all the big day traditions. The most obvious solution is to lean into ‘something old’, streamline the guest list, and tighten your belts. While that might mean sacrificing the odd subscription for a little while or reducing day-to-day spending, there are plenty of other penny-pinching tips when it comes to planning the big day itself.

The most important money saving wedding tip is to be realistic. This means doing plenty of research, figuring out your non-negotiables, and sticking to your original plan. In general, the venue, ceremony and catering (including drinks), will eat up around half of the total budget. However, some venues and suppliers are open to negotiating, especially in the quieter months and might even throw in extras to sweeten the deal. This won’t apply to all elements of wedding planning, but it’s always worth being upfront about your budget.

Another great way to save money when planning a wedding is to ask your guests for help. The people close to you will want to help you set out on married life in style, so rally the troops to help with flower arranging, and invitations, and make use of their connections. For more great ways to save money on your wedding, read on - we’ve done the research.

Get a feel for average costs

The first thing any couple should do when thinking about how to save money on your wedding is to research average costs for each aspect of the day, from flowers and decor to catering, venue hire, entertainment, and stationery. Getting this out of the way early can help you decide which aspects of the big day are going to take up more of your budget.

It'll also help set a benchmark so you can easily identify venues, suppliers and caterers that offer real value for money and rule out those that are on the pricier side. Apart from reading articles and searching on Google, as average prices differ across the country it's also a good idea to reach out to venues and companies in the local area for quotes. Having a feel for the average cost will help you set a realistic budget, ensuring that it's something you can stick to. 

Decide your non-negotiables

Weddings have a knack for getting more and more elaborate as the planning goes on. The best way to avoid this is to sit down with your partner early in the process and run through your vision for the big day. We’re not saying strip away all the elements that make weddings magical, but it’s worth writing up one list of essentials and another for ‘nice-to-have’ features. Once you can see how much the essentials will cost, then prioritise certain features from the other list according to their importance and try and work them in!

Rethink the scale

Without a doubt, the most effective way to save money on a wedding is to reduce the size of the celebration. For some people, this might mean elopement followed by a more informal party. For others, it means keeping the traditional ceremony-reception format but in micro-wedding form. In fact, our guide to micro weddings provides plenty of tips and tricks.

Refusing plus ones is a quick way to trim the guest list. But as with most things wedding planning related, the best way to approach the matter is to draw up a few lists: one for the most important people (close family and friends), and another for people who you’d like to be there but aren’t essential - this might include work colleagues and distant family.

Just be aware, as you talk through your guest list, friends and family will want to add people on - so just remember that this is your day. Just because your mum wants to show you off to her neighbours doesn’t mean you have to invite them to your wedding!

Smaller wedding venues like Oakley Hall can be just as romantic, accommodating up to 40 guests for intimate wedding celebrations.

Consider the date

One of the best ways to stretch your wedding budget, regardless of the type of venue you have in mind, is to consider an off-season wedding date. Dates during late autumn, winter and early spring often come with significant discounts compared to summertime, sometimes to the tune of several thousand pounds. Some of the best winter wedding venues in the UK are cosy, and warm - offering an added level of romance to the day. It’s not just the venue, many wedding suppliers and vendors offer discounts between November and March because of the reduced demand.

Another top money-saving wedding tip is to be open to midweek dates, Sundays and Fridays. It's best to keep an open mind, but remember that if close family members work in certain professions (teachers, for example), they may not be able to take holiday midweek.

Set across two Victorian townhouses, The Roseate Edinburgh makes a charming venue for cosy winter weddings in the heart of the city.

Think about your venue

Hiring a venue will typically eat up most of the wedding budget. While you might save money choosing a naturally beautiful wedding venue, the most popular types like manor houses and castles, tend to be more expensive. However, there are alternatives out there that are just as gorgeous and won't break the bank.

Instead of booking a traditional banquet hall or hotel, think outside the box and consider parks, community centres, and art galleries. It’s also worth looking out for campsites, village halls, and al fresco venues as they also tend to be cheaper.

Plus, some of the best pub wedding venues come with plenty of charm and are perfect for smaller, more casual weddings. 

Old pubs, like The Lady Ottoline, can be transformed into an intimate location complete with a dance floor and brilliant drinks selection.

Beware hidden costs

It’s impossible to exaggerate the importance of reading the fine print; couples should always pay close attention to what is included and question any additional fees (like late finish fees in case your ceremony runs into the small hours). There are also several costs that many couples forget to budget for, from additional supplier costs to entertainment, and invitations. Here are some of the most common ones that often get forgotten when planning a wedding on a budget. Some of these charges are small, but as you know, every penny counts!

Delivery costs: Whether it’s the cakemaker, florist, or make up artist, several vendors and suppliers will charge extra for delivery and transport. Bear in mind, this charge might also relate to the distance they are required to travel.

Postage: While a second-class stamp costs around a pound, even if your guest list is on the smaller side, it all adds up. Don't forget, quite a few people are bound to live in the same household, so avoid buying the exact number as your guest list. 

Dress alterations: Regardless of where you buy it, the price of your dress will rarely include alteration fees. The average bride needs around three fittings to get it right, so be sure to put a little aside alterations to your wedding clothes. 

Don’t forget the tip: Having a surprise 12.5% service charge added to your bill isn’t a great wedding gift, so be sure to clarify this with your wedding caterer or venue early in the planning process.

Feed your wedding team: Some photographers, entertainers, bands, etc might request a meal as part of their contract. You don’t have to make space for them at the table, even if it's not in their contract it’s best to ensure they are provided for!

Ask about VAT: While not every vendor charges VAT, the best policy is to ask each supplier for clarification - an additional 20% charged for catering or flowers isn’t ideal.

Insurance: Planning a wedding is a big financial commitment, so paying insurance is a great way to protect yourself in the event that something goes wrong. It’s not a glamorous expense, but in cases of illness, lost items, or extreme weather, insurance can be a lifesaver.

Thank you notes: You may go down the digital route for this one, but plan ahead for wedding gift thank you notes - it's a really nice touch, but many people forget about this one!

On that note, there are other stationery costs to think about. Check out our complete wedding stationery checklist for the run down.

Go digital

It’s easy to underestimate the cost of wedding stationery, invites, and save the dates, not to mention the cost of postage for upwards of 50 addresses. On that note, you’d be surprised how many times people will order invites for each person on the guest list, forgetting that many of those people are couples and share addresses!

If you’re really looking to cut the costs, it’ll always be cheaper to go paper-free. There are plenty of great digital invite design websites, both free and paid, that offer templates for wedding save-the-dates and invites.

But you can also design your own with sites like Canva to add a personal touch and even include an image of the happy couple.

Alternatively, why not set up a wedding website? There are plenty of wedding website generator tools online which allow you to create your own domain name, add images, and post important updates and information including the invite details, RSVP system, and gift list.

Save on the dress

Wedding dress shopping is a brilliant moment that deserves to be relished. And just because you’re working with a budget doesn’t mean you can’t find the wedding dress of your dreams.

Hit the high street: Upmarket high street stores have a variety of brilliant wedding dresses that are just as good as the designer ones but go for a fraction of the cost.

Look for sample sales: When a line is discontinued or a shop is changing stock, sample wedding dresses get sold at a massive discount sometimes for a third of the original price.

Go for something vintage: Another great tip, buying a second-hand dress and getting it tailored is a great way to save some cash, and get your hands on ‘something old’ while you’re at it.

Fancy something new for the big day? Take a peek at our round-up of the best simple wedding dresses, many of them are pretty affordable.

Ask for help

Don’t be embarrassed to ask for cash instead of wedding gifts and trinkets. Wedding guests will agonise over choosing the right gift anyway, and more often than not, couples are bound to receive the same gift twice. These days, most couples are already living together pre-wedding, so there’s little need for traditional gifts of towels, cookware, and crockery.

It might feel awkward, but asking for contributions towards the wedding or honeymoon is becoming more normal each year. To cut through any discomfort, you might want to ask just a few select friends and family. But you can also ask more widely in a slightly cheeky or light-hearted way, a funny poem or limerick might do the trick. Just avoid asking on the invitation! That can be a bit full-on.

Alternatively, why not ask for contributions in kind? You may have an avid baker in the family, a keen flower arranger, or budding musician in your circle. And you can always ask if a friend will take on the role of master of ceremonies, enlist your pals for an evening to help put invitations together, or ask if someone might lend you a holiday home for your honeymoon.

DIY the hair and makeup

The best way to cut the costs of wedding hair and makeup is to lean on your guests and enlist someone to lend a helping hand. You can of course do it yourself too, but especially when it comes to hair - having someone lend a hand can reduce the stress of getting ready.

There are plenty of great setting sprays, powders, and techniques out there. If you have a favourite makeup brand, it might also be worth visiting a store that has a makeup counter, and talking to the salesperson for advice. You could even get your makeup done there, see what works best for you, and buy your favourite products to apply yourself.

With a small budget, you probably won't be able to glam up your bridesmaids and wedding party as well, but you could always make it a fun pre-wedding activity, where everyone helps each other get ready.

Get clever with the wedding cake

Getting your hands on a cheap wedding cake can be tricky. Some couples use fake cakes, where all tiers except one are made of styrofoam or cardboard. If you want a real one, the most affordable option is to enlist the help of family or friends. However, if you’ve got your heart set on a big, tiered wedding cake and want it made professionally, there are a couple of tricks and tips to save money. Less elaborate wedding cakes tend to be cheaper, and a minimally decorated wedding cake can be just as impressive.

In recent years, semi-naked cakes, simply decorated with real flowers or fruit, have become incredibly popular. Many couples are also opting for cupcakes, or going for cake alternatives that can double as wedding favours or snacks at the end of the night. A cheese wedding cake for example, when cut later in the night and served alongside crackers, can double as late-night fuel.

If you're looking to save a little money, you can also order some brilliantly unique wedding toppers yourself and transform your wedding cake.

Cut back the catering

Having enjoyable food at a wedding is incredibly important, so we’d advise against cheaping out on the main course. But there are other tricks and changes you can implement to reduce food expenses as a whole.

Cheap out on the nibbles: There’s no obligation to invest in fancy canapes, a table with sharing platters and small bites can be just as effective especially when bought from local suppliers or upmarket supermarkets.

Go for a buffet: Great for more informal weddings, buffet style wedding breakfasts allow you to cut costs on staffing and prepare food in bulk

Opt for local caterers: Shopping around for a caterer, vendor, bakery or restaurant can really pay off. Apart from supporting local businesses, they come with knowledge of the area and may already have a relationship with the venue.

Serve wedding cake as dessert: A great way to cut per-head menu costs is to go for two courses, and serve your wedding cake in place of dessert. This cheeky trick can save around £10 per head! Just be sure to check that caterers and service staff are happy to serve it for you.

Don’t over cater evening food: While it’s a great idea to have evening snacks and food, a lot of it can end up going to waste. A general rule of thumb is to plan for 70% to eat in the evening.

Top tip: Set up a buffet style grazing table at the welcome reception to cut service costs involved with trays of canapes.

Budget for the booze

Money spent on alcohol and drinks can quickly add up, taking over a significant chunk of the total budget. But there are ways to reduce the damage caused by this very important aspect of your wedding.

Corkage-free venue: Corkage at wedding venues can be as much as £15 per bottle, so finding a venue that doesn’t charge is a win. Just remember, like most things, you can haggle on corkage costs!

Mid-range options: Opting for mid-range wines, beers, and spirits is a sure way to cut down some of the costs of a bar after dinner. Of course, depending on your wedding menu, you might reserve a few top-shelf bottles to serve with the food.

Offer a signature cocktail: Offering a signature cocktail and mocktail is another brilliant way to avoid some of the costs of a full bar. You can even premix the cocktail in large kilner jars with taps to reduce staffing costs.

Look for deals: Supermarkets will often run deals throughout the year if you buy in bulk, so if you've bagged a corkage-free venue, keep an eye out for these or get in touch with wine sellers that allow you to return unopened bottles.

Skip the Champagne toast: We’re not saying do away with toasts all together, your best man still needs his moment after all. But it’s a good idea to switch to a cheaper prosecco, still wine, or let people toast with whatever tipple they’ve already got on the go.

Huntsham Court, for example, is a popular no-corkage venue in Devon that promises no hidden fees and allows couples to save a little money on drinks.

Reuse as much as possible

Reusing elements from different parts of your day later on can be a great way to halve costs. Floral arrangements from the ceremony can be quickly ferried to the reception during the welcome drinks reception. But do check with the supplier, they might charge an additional cost to reset the displays. Alternatively, you can rally a few helpful friends and family to do this task on your behalf. 

The same goes for candles, bouquets, potted plants, and other decorative elements. You might also want to decorate with free and found items, pebbles with names written in chalk pen are a gorgeous way to make place cards on a budget, and a few bundles of wildflowers can add a touch of whimsy to table decorations.

Stumped on finding the best location to say 'I do'? Head on over to our step-by-step guide to how to choose a wedding venue for the big day.