I was going to post on here that paying £1000 for canapes seemed like a waste, but after reading the comments about hungry guests maybe I was right to get them! We were tied into a hotel package, so I think charging £12/ head for them was excessive but we were a captive audience at that point!
Because the venue costs were fixed, we tried to save money wherever we could. I found a beautiful dress for £400 by an up and coming designer launching a bridal range (similar ones are now being sold for double that) added a coast beaded cape for £100 and half price wedding shoes £90.
F-i -L to be made the wedding cake which doubled up as pudding. It was a fruit cake, I got a cheap bride and groom topper for £20 plus some red hearts and ribbon. It may not have looked as great as some fancy expensive wedding cakes, but no one really cared and it tasted great which was more important! No point wasting £500 on a cake!
I didn't have bridesmaids which made things a bit cheaper.... I had two kids of my own to sort out outfits for in any case.
I did get my hair and makeup done professionally which was worth it. By far the best thing I spent money on though, was a photo booth. I'm so glad we got one as we couldn't originally afford it, but it was hilarious and makes me smile whenever I see the pics. Meant we could give a picture to guests as their 'favour'. (Didn't bother with actual favours apart from the kids who got a party bag)
We had plenty of booze available, wine pretty much on tap and two glasses of fizz, I think people remember things like that so didn't want to be remembered for not having enough!
In hindsight I think we got the spending just about right. I can't think of anything that was a complete waste of money and I managed to do a few things on the cheap but not in a way that was noticeable hopefully!
Bloody ell weddings can be ridiculously expensive though!