Cheaper Weddings

[LaNoNdRrOis]

Hi,
My partner and I are looking at getting married next year and I know that is quite late notice! We are looking for a cheaper wedding and don't want to spend a crazy amount on one day! I'm sure if we had the money we would but unfortunately, we are not in that position. Does anyone have any cheaper wedding ideas? Everything seems to be about £10,000 and we simply don't have that! Open to any ideas, we are located in Hampshire

Could you pick a lovely area you like holidaying in
( coastal , buzzy city , Lake District etc ) and have the wedding booked there . It will be just the two of you , a honeymoon at the same time and very little hassle .

When we get married I'd love just me my DP and DD at the church and a photographer to capture it . Maybe have a party in our house to celebrate a few days later or a sit down meal with very close family . I'm not spending ££££ to feed people I haven't seen in months or years . All I need is my little family and if everyone else wants to celebrate with us I would be fine with a small gathering as I say maybe at home or local venue but only 10-20 people .

How many people would you be inviting?

So we got married on a Friday as it was cheaper than Saturday, Monday- Thursday is even cheaper . Out of season is also a cost saving option.

We got married at the venue which saved on cars.
We had a hog roast rather than a sit down meal as it was half the price.
We used a student to do photos and booked her for 3 hours rather than all day.
I bought an outlet wedding dress.
Bridesmaids dresses from Debenhams.
When I ordered flowers I had a large bridesmaid bouquet and three small bouquets. It was significantly cheaper than the the bridal bouquet.
We made our own table decs and favours.
A family member made the cake.
We hired an ice cream cart which was cheaper than dessert. We also did a retro sweets table

We had 80 to the day and100 the night but numbers make a massive difference. Some venues do an all in price but usually for fairly low numbers.

How many people are you looking to invite?

Could you maybe do a small ceremony and then have the reception somewhere that doesn't sell itself as a wedding venue, as that will probably be cheaper. Like a nice pub that does events?

Buy decorations and bridesmaid dresses on Vinted. Also look on Facebook Marketplace.
Don't spend thousands on flowers - try a local florist and give them your top budget and ask what they can do for that.
Rent your wedding dress if you can - you'll never wear it again and it's hard to resell.

My brother and his wife had a lovely wedding at a registry office followed by a pub reception recently. Their budget was v strict and family members helped out with flowers and decorations. I think they both got their outfits online and had them tailored if needed, cut down on the cost massively.

Wedding packages are the ones to avoid. They've just become astonishingly expensive.

Also, keep your invites low. We had 30 at our wedding and it was perfect.

Ds and his now wife had a lovely wedding and cheap.
It was a second time for both.
Registry office then back to the local social club.
Buffet and disco.
Outfits were from shein. And then altered to fit.
Total cost was just over £2500.

You need to give us a clue OP!

What's your ideal budget and what's the minimum guest list

What 1 or 2 things would you really like of possible (nice dress? Church? Posh food? Party to celebrate?)

What's your budget?

We just had a winter wedding this weekend gone. We did a twilight wedding - married at the registry office at 4.30 and then onto a pub function room. Carvery dinner and dessert at 6pm so no need for a second round of food. We had 70 people and came in at around £5000. We could have done it for less if we really wanted to but we paid for dress and suit from new and hair and make up for myself and bridesmaid. You could reduce the price easily by buying second hand and doing your own hair and make up

2nd marriage in 2011.
Register office on a Friday midday.
Sit down 3 course meal for 20-25 guests at a restaurant with own room/area. Welcome drink on arrival and wine with meal. 2 tier wedding cake.
I wore a new High Street dress and jacket that can be worn again but most suitable for a wedding. No bridesmaids. Bouquet for bride, and button holes for all guests that wanted one. Little gifts at the table for guests.
Total spend 1k.
We went to Rome for our honeymoon which was separate expense but did not go crazy. Money wasn't really an issue for us but we had no intention of spending a silly amount on a wedding. Previous marriages were also sensible with spending. More guests, full wedding dress, cars, flowers, hotel meal and all that but not stupid money. My wedding dress was no more than £300 (1992) and bridesmaid £100 if that - both were new. Really don't understand when people say they can't afford to get married. You make it as cheap or as expensive as you choose. I much preferred 2nd time around as we invited who we wanted (and not relatives you rarely see or because someone else wants someone to be there)....much more intimate wedding arrangement.