Every bride dreams of an endless Wedding Fund, but as this is very often not the case, I was thrilled when the team at You & Your Wedding asked me to contribute to their 50 Brilliant Budget Boosters article proving that ‘counting pennies doesn’t mean scrimping on style’.

There are many elements of your big day that can benefit from savvy spending such as handcrafted details and cost-effective catering, here are a few of my top tips:

Focus your efforts

Don’t spread yourself too thinly, rather than slashing costs on six different areas, pick three priorities that you absolutely must have and do those really well. So depending on what is super important to you, you could consider splurging on a stunning wedding cake by forgoing the decorative charger plates at each place setting.

Getting the right fit

Found your perfect wedding dress? It is important to remember that alterations are generally not included in the ticket price. It is likely that you will need to attend at least two further appointments where the seamstress will ensure that the dress fits you absolutely perfectly – the price for this service depends on the initial cost of the dress, but I’d budget around £150 to £200.

Feeding your team

Many of your suppliers will be there for the majority of your big day, in particular these include the photographer, the band and your planner; usually around 10 people in total. You will need to ensure that they are all well fed and watered throughout the day, and this cost needs to be taken into consideration. To reduce the cost, I ask venues to prepare something like lasagne and chips which is cheaper than the wedding breakfast but filling – this option is usually charged at around half the price of your guests’ meals.

Is service included?

The expectation is yes, but I did work with a venue this year that added a 12.5% gratuity to the bill. I would strongly recommend that you double check your contract for any ‘surprises’ prior to signing it.

Blank Canvas

When planning your wedding day, hiring chairs, cutlery, linen and crockery can really pile on the pounds! At approximately £15.00 per head for full rental, this would add £1,500 to your burgeoning budget. A far more cost-effective method is to use the venue’s default items and just customise one item, such as glassware, for a far more purse pleasing £300.

Hefty Corkage Fees

Sourcing your own booze can be a huge cost-saver, but many venues and caterers will add a corkage charge onto your bill. Even if you have found wine for £5 a bottle, versus the £20 wines on the venue/caterers list, it might cost you £15 per bottle in corkage. Alcohol is where they make their profit (we all have to make money somehow), so they will discourage you from bringing your own. My recommendation, don’t go crazy in the Majestic Wines champagne aisle until you have checked their policy!

Tweak your aisle style

Flowers can runaway with your budget, so rather than expensive pew-end bouquets, use colourful ribbon trails. Another cute and cost-effective option is to line the aisle with candles and scattered petals; many florists will include fresh confetti for free with a large order.

A mighty big thank you

Remember to set aside some money to purchase thank-you gifts for your bridesmaids, ushers, parents and anyone else who has gone that extra mile whilst organising your big day; it’s really important to show your appreciation.

Happy planning!

Credits: Photographs

White Gold Wedding Photography

Formula Wine