Money-saving Hints 1649 views

It should be the happiest day of your lives, so why spend so much of the lead-up worrying about costs? A little forward planning and some handy hints can save you a fortune on getting married, says Louise Hartnett.

Saturday’s girl is full of woe... because she paid more than someone getting married on another day of the week! Many venues offer substantial savings to those who marry on, say, a Friday or a Sunday instead. You might also want to consider having your big day outside the peak summer period. An autumn or winter wedding date is likely to give you more bargaining power with suppliers, who are often less busy during these months. The time of day you get married at can also affect your bill. Starting the proceedings well after lunchtime could mean that you will only have to provide one meal for guests. Otherwise, you are probably looking at paying for an evening buffet as well as a wedding breakfast.

No one wants to feel that they are compromising on their wedding dress or suit, but you can often find the outfit of your dreams much cheaper than you might think. One option for brides-to-be is to give high-street stores such as Monsoon and Debenhams a try – you might be pleasantly surprised by the quality of their offerings, and a little professional adjustment can add the finishing touch if the fit seems less than perfect. Buying a second-hand dress is another possibility – many brides strike lucky by sourcing their outfit on eBay. New dresses also tend to be cheaper when bought online. Some brides-to-be try on ‘the one’ in a shop but make a note of all the details and buy it at a fraction of the cost from a website such as the US-based www.netbride.com instead. Even with shipping charges and taxes, you are likely to save a lot of money this way. When it comes the male entourage, consider asking them to wear their own suits rather than hiring out tails. Perhaps they could all wear the same shirt and/or tie to identify them as part of the wedding party. If you do have your heart set on morning suits, you could ask the men in question to pay for the hire in lieu of a wedding present.

Make a list of all your loved ones and the different ways in which they might be able to help you economise. A relative with a particularly nice car might agree to drive you to the church; a friend who’s a DJ could offer his services on the day; and why not put your great aunt’s floristry skills to good use? This type of approach has the added advantage of bringing a personal touch to every aspect of your wedding, and making people feel they are an important part of the day. I once got roped into a family ‘production line’ manufacturing wedding invites. I have to admit the whole process was good fun, and the end result looked fantastic. Whether you choose to create your invites on a computer or by hand, a good rule of thumb is to stick to a simple design for maximum impact.

Consider having a buffet instead of a formal sit-down meal. As well as being cheaper, this option allows people to pick and choose what they want instead of being served up food that can sometimes go to waste. When it comes to wedding cake, make it yourself, buy it from a supermarket, or simply go without. You’d be surprised how few guests will notice the absence of a cake once they have eaten and drunk to their hearts’ content and are strutting their stuff on the dancefloor. Alternatively, a tower of cupcakes displayed on a hired cake tier can look stunning. Make sure there’s at least one cake per person to avoid squabbles! If you are providing your own alcohol, a cross-Channel hypermarket trip can pay dividends. Just in case you get quizzed by Customs, bring some wedding-related documentation as an indication that your purchases are for a private party. If your venue is charging you corkage, buy magnums of champagne rather than smaller bottles – fewer corks popping means less money leaving your pocket!

Table Decorations

Fresh flowers are beautiful, but they can be costly, and they have to be prepared right at the last minute. Why not think differently for your table arrangements? Candles, potted orchids, seashells, or fairy lights in a glass container are all cheaper options, and can provide a lasting keepsake for guests after the party.

This might sound like strange advice, but a wedding planner or on-the-day co-ordinator has the knowledge and contacts to save you money as well as easing the burden on you. Their fees are less than you might think, and most people who have used a good planner say they are worth their weight in gold.

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