With the average wedding budget running between £17,000.00 and £25,000.00 (yes it looks more if you put the 0’s in) what can you do to save money on your wedding without compromising your day.
Generally the most expensive parts of the day are:-
The Church – usually costs around £500.00. Church decoration can cost anything up to £5,000.00 (believe me I produces the video for the wedding)
The Reception – the sky is the limit but at least £35.00 a head for the meal, £20.00 a head for the drinks plus another £25.00 a head for the evening buffet. That could be at least £80.00 for every guest - £800.00 for ten, £8,000.00 for 100.
The dress can cost £500.00 to £2,500.00 and more.
Bridesmaids outfits – usually at least £100.00 each.
The cake could be £500.00 to £1,500.00.
Photography normally costs £1500.00 to £3,000.00.
Wedding cars again can cost from £500.00 to £1,500.00
Stationary and postage for invitations at least £150.00
You are already well on the way to spending £17.250.00. Could that be the deposit on a fairly nice house?
So how can you save money on what should be the greatest day of your lives?
Talk to people – many suppliers will offer you special prices for “Off Peak” weddings – usually weekdays, Sundays or from October to April.
Ask for help to save money, get help from friends and family, search out any musician friends and ask them to perform, find a well spoken, confident friend who can be your toast master or master of ceremonies. Most of us know someone who is good with makeup, hairstyling, design, crafts and so on. Ask for help, most people will be more than happy to be a real part of your special day. Have a “DIY” party for your friends to help you with invitation, flowers, table decorations, favours and so on but be sure to give them some delicious snacks and drinks as a thank you.
Music. Contact your local college and ask if they have anyone who would perform at your wedding.
Make the most of EBAY and the Wonderful World Wide Web.
Church. Talk to the vicar at your church, if you are a regular church goer explain that you are on a really tight budget but want to get married in the Church and ask for his help. Do you really need the Bells?, or even a choir – find out about using a music CD, do you need a copyright or PRS licence or has the Church already got one?
Save on Church decoration by timing your day to coincide with a religious holiday or flower festival when the church will already be decorated.
Unless you have a good reason for getting married in Church consider using a Registry Office, wedding venue, Pub, Hotel, village hall and so on. Many farmers have diversified into offering facilities ranging from a field, to a designer venue with room for your reception, marquee, converted barns and so on.
Why not do the “Legal Bit” at a registry office and have a civil celebrant to conduct a relaxed and beautiful celebration of your marriage at home if you have space or at some other venue, field, tent, barn, marquee etc.
Reception. Trim your guest list, and then trim it again. You don’t need to feel pressured to invite cousins, colleagues from work or distant relatives. If you don’t invite anyone from a particular group none of them will feel left out. Don’t let your friends bring their children or feel pressured to let single friends bring a date. Every time you add a name you could be adding £50 to £100 or even more to the cost (that’s a cool £1000.00 for 10 people).
If your wedding and reception are in a hotel ask for a substantial discount on the room rate for guests.
Talk to your caterer, be honest and don’t be afraid to ask whether a buffet would be cheaper than a sit down meal, find out which are the least expensive entrees, nibbles and canapés. Ask if you can supply your own booze, find out if just beer and wine would be cheaper than a full bar.
Most of the major supermarkets produce “party platters” with a selection of canapés, snacks and nibbles. The Dress. Shop around, check out the Internet. Look for designer dress sample sales – if your size 6, 8 or 10 you could find an absolute bargain but the sales only happen once a year. If you buy second hand be sure that the dress has been properly cleaned and is really goo quality you should save up to 80% on the new price. Oxfam has a specialist shop for wedding dresses some of which are new, ask them for details. Consider buying a beautiful suit or outfit that you can wear again. The so called traditional White Wedding Dress is a Victorian invention along with all those expensive designer Christmas, birthday, get well soon and wedding invitation cards that we needlessly spend so much on.
Bridesmaids outfits. Will they but there own? Something that they might wear again for a party etc. Do you know anyone who could make the outfits, especially for little bridesmaids, or flower girls.
Invitations. Save postage and printing costs by keeping them simple, print your own using one of the excellent DIY design packages available on line, leave out the RSVP card and ask guests to reply by phone or e-mail.
The Cake. Can someone make a cake or decorate a shop bought cake for you. M&S and several other stores produce really lovely wedding cakes which you can decorate with fresh fruit, flowers, chocolate etc. Why not hire a cake stand and buy some “designer cup cakes” – again check out the web for suppliers.
Having said all of this you should consider those things where you really need professional help –
Large flower arrangements and centrepieces (do you really need them?).
Bride and Bridesmaid bouquets as photographers we see far too many fall apart on the day, usually because the flowers have just been stuck into oasis foam without wiring.
Your wedding Dress – see above.
Your wedding cake – again see above.
Catering – see above.
Photography – Obviously as I make my living from wedding photography I think that everyone should have a professional wedding photographer. I genuinely hear all sorts of horror stories about the pictures that “didn’t come out”, blurred, dodgy backgrounds, so if you want more information check out my other blogs.
Article and photographs by
Mike Watts.
http://www.MichaelDWatts.com
You may reproduce this article providing the above message and web link remain intact.
(more...)
With the average wedding budget running between £17,000.00 and £25,000.00 (yes it looks more if you put the 0’s in) what can you do to save money on your wedding without compromising your day.
Generally the most expensive parts of the day are:-
The Church – usually costs around £500.00. Church decoration can cost anything up to £5,000.00 (believe me I produces the video for the wedding)
The Reception – the sky is the limit but at least £35.00 a head for the meal, £20.00 a head for the drinks plus another £25.00 a head for the evening buffet. That could be at least £80.00 for every guest - £800.00 for ten, £8,000.00 for 100.
![]()
The dress can cost £500.00 to £2,500.00 and more.
Bridesmaids outfits – usually at least £100.00 each.
The cake could be £500.00 to £1,500.00.
Photography normally costs £1500.00 to £3,000.00.
Wedding cars again can cost from £500.00 to £1,500.00
Stationary and postage for invitations at least £150.00
You are already well on the way to spending £17.250.00. Could that be the deposit on a fairly nice house?
So how can you save money on what should be the greatest day of your lives?
Talk to people – many suppliers will offer you special prices for “Off Peak” weddings – usually weekdays, Sundays or from October to April.
Ask for help to save money, get help from friends and family, search out any musician friends and ask them to perform, find a well spoken, confident friend who can be your toast master or master of ceremonies. Most of us know someone who is good with makeup, hairstyling, design, crafts and so on. Ask for help, most people will be more than happy to be a real part of your special day. Have a “DIY” party for your friends to help you with invitation, flowers, table decorations, favours and so on but be sure to give them some delicious snacks and drinks as a thank you.
Music. Contact your local college and ask if they have anyone who would perform at your wedding.
Make the most of EBAY and the Wonderful World Wide Web.
Church. Talk to the vicar at your church, if you are a regular church goer explain that you are on a really tight budget but want to get married in the Church and ask for his help. Do you really need the Bells?, or even a choir – find out about using a music CD, do you need a copyright or PRS licence or has the Church already got one?
Save on Church decoration by timing your day to coincide with a religious holiday or flower festival when the church will already be decorated.
Unless you have a good reason for getting married in Church consider using a Registry Office, wedding venue, Pub, Hotel, village hall and so on. Many farmers have diversified into offering facilities ranging from a field, to a designer venue with room for your reception, marquee, converted barns and so on.
Why not do the “Legal Bit” at a registry office and have a civil celebrant to conduct a relaxed and beautiful celebration of your marriage at home if you have space or at some other venue, field, tent, barn, marquee etc.
Reception. Trim your guest list, and then trim it again. You don’t need to feel pressured to invite cousins, colleagues from work or distant relatives. If you don’t invite anyone from a particular group none of them will feel left out. Don’t let your friends bring their children or feel pressured to let single friends bring a date. Every time you add a name you could be adding £50 to £100 or even more to the cost (that’s a cool £1000.00 for 10 people).
If your wedding and reception are in a hotel ask for a substantial discount on the room rate for guests.
Talk to your caterer, be honest and don’t be afraid to ask whether a buffet would be cheaper than a sit down meal, find out which are the least expensive entrees, nibbles and canapés. Ask if you can supply your own booze, find out if just beer and wine would be cheaper than a full bar.
Most of the major supermarkets produce “party platters” with a selection of canapés, snacks and nibbles. The Dress. Shop around, check out the Internet. Look for designer dress sample sales – if your size 6, 8 or 10 you could find an absolute bargain but the sales only happen once a year. If you buy second hand be sure that the dress has been properly cleaned and is really goo quality you should save up to 80% on the new price. Oxfam has a specialist shop for wedding dresses some of which are new, ask them for details. Consider buying a beautiful suit or outfit that you can wear again. The so called traditional White Wedding Dress is a Victorian invention along with all those expensive designer Christmas, birthday, get well soon and wedding invitation cards that we needlessly spend so much on.
![]()
Bridesmaids outfits. Will they but there own? Something that they might wear again for a party etc. Do you know anyone who could make the outfits, especially for little bridesmaids, or flower girls.
Invitations. Save postage and printing costs by keeping them simple, print your own using one of the excellent DIY design packages available on line, leave out the RSVP card and ask guests to reply by phone or e-mail.
The Cake. Can someone make a cake or decorate a shop bought cake for you. M&S and several other stores produce really lovely wedding cakes which you can decorate with fresh fruit, flowers, chocolate etc. Why not hire a cake stand and buy some “designer cup cakes” – again check out the web for suppliers.
Having said all of this you should consider those things where you really need professional help –
Large flower arrangements and centrepieces (do you really need them?).
Bride and Bridesmaid bouquets as photographers we see far too many fall apart on the day, usually because the flowers have just been stuck into oasis foam without wiring.
Your wedding Dress – see above.
Your wedding cake – again see above.
Catering – see above.
Photography – Obviously as I make my living from wedding photography I think that everyone should have a professional wedding photographer. I genuinely hear all sorts of horror stories about the pictures that “didn’t come out”, blurred, dodgy backgrounds, so if you want more information check out my other blogs.
With the average wedding budget running between £17,000.00 and £25,000.00 (yes it looks more if you put the 0’s in) what can you do to save money on your wedding without compromising your day.
Generally the most expensive parts of the day are:-
The Church – usually costs around £500.00. Church decoration can cost anything up to £5,000.00 (believe me I produces the video for the wedding)
The Reception – the sky is the limit but at least £35.00 a head for the meal, £20.00 a head for the drinks plus another £25.00 a head for the evening buffet. That could be at least £80.00 for every guest - £800.00 for ten, £8,000.00 for 100.
The dress can cost £500.00 to £2,500.00 and more.
Bridesmaids outfits – usually at least £100.00 each.
The cake could be £500.00 to £1,500.00.
Photography normally costs £1500.00 to £3,000.00.
Wedding cars again can cost from £500.00 to £1,500.00
Stationary and postage for invitations at least £150.00
You are already well on the way to spending £17.250.00. Could that be the deposit on a fairly nice house?
So how can you save money on what should be the greatest day of your lives?
Talk to people – many suppliers will offer you special prices for “Off Peak” weddings – usually weekdays, Sundays or from October to April.
Ask for help to save money, get help from friends and family, search out any musician friends and ask them to perform, find a well spoken, confident friend who can be your toast master or master of ceremonies. Most of us know someone who is good with makeup, hairstyling, design, crafts and so on. Ask for help, most people will be more than happy to be a real part of your special day. Have a “DIY” party for your friends to help you with invitation, flowers, table decorations, favours and so on but be sure to give them some delicious snacks and drinks as a thank you.
Music. Contact your local college and ask if they have anyone who would perform at your wedding.
Make the most of EBAY and the Wonderful World Wide Web.
Church. Talk to the vicar at your church, if you are a regular church goer explain that you are on a really tight budget but want to get married in the Church and ask for his help. Do you really need the Bells?, or even a choir – find out about using a music CD, do you need a copyright or PRS licence or has the Church already got one?
Save on Church decoration by timing your day to coincide with a religious holiday or flower festival when the church will already be decorated.
Unless you have a good reason for getting married in Church consider using a Registry Office, wedding venue, Pub, Hotel, village hall and so on. Many farmers have diversified into offering facilities ranging from a field, to a designer venue with room for your reception, marquee, converted barns and so on.
Why not do the “Legal Bit” at a registry office and have a civil celebrant to conduct a relaxed and beautiful celebration of your marriage at home if you have space or at some other venue, field, tent, barn, marquee etc.
Reception. Trim your guest list, and then trim it again. You don’t need to feel pressured to invite cousins, colleagues from work or distant relatives. If you don’t invite anyone from a particular group none of them will feel left out. Don’t let your friends bring their children or feel pressured to let single friends bring a date. Every time you add a name you could be adding £50 to £100 or even more to the cost (that’s a cool £1000.00 for 10 people).
If your wedding and reception are in a hotel ask for a substantial discount on the room rate for guests.
Talk to your caterer, be honest and don’t be afraid to ask whether a buffet would be cheaper than a sit down meal, find out which are the least expensive entrees, nibbles and canapés. Ask if you can supply your own booze, find out if just beer and wine would be cheaper than a full bar.
Most of the major supermarkets produce “party platters” with a selection of canapés, snacks and nibbles. The Dress. Shop around, check out the Internet. Look for designer dress sample sales – if your size 6, 8 or 10 you could find an absolute bargain but the sales only happen once a year. If you buy second hand be sure that the dress has been properly cleaned and is really goo quality you should save up to 80% on the new price. Oxfam has a specialist shop for wedding dresses some of which are new, ask them for details. Consider buying a beautiful suit or outfit that you can wear again. The so called traditional White Wedding Dress is a Victorian invention along with all those expensive designer Christmas, birthday, get well soon and wedding invitation cards that we needlessly spend so much on.
![]()
Bridesmaids outfits. Will they but there own? Something that they might wear again for a party etc. Do you know anyone who could make the outfits, especially for little bridesmaids, or flower girls.
Invitations. Save postage and printing costs by keeping them simple, print your own using one of the excellent DIY design packages available on line, leave out the RSVP card and ask guests to reply by phone or e-mail.
The Cake. Can someone make a cake or decorate a shop bought cake for you. M&S and several other stores produce really lovely wedding cakes which you can decorate with fresh fruit, flowers, chocolate etc. Why not hire a cake stand and buy some “designer cup cakes” – again check out the web for suppliers.
Having said all of this you should consider those things where you really need professional help –
Large flower arrangements and centrepieces (do you really need them?).
Bride and Bridesmaid bouquets as photographers we see far too many fall apart on the day, usually because the flowers have just been stuck into oasis foam without wiring.
Your wedding Dress – see above.
Your wedding cake – again see above.
Catering – see above.
Photography – Obviously as I make my living from wedding photography I think that everyone should have a professional wedding photographer. I genuinely hear all sorts of horror stories about the pictures that “didn’t come out”, blurred, dodgy backgrounds, so if you want more information check out my other blogs.
Article and photographs by
Mike Watts.
http://www.MichaelDWatts.com
You may reproduce this article providing the above message and web link remain intact.
(more...)
Top 5 Money Wasters at a wedding
After a recent survey the majority of Brides questioned listed these as a waste of money.
1. Favours. Don’t waste a lot of money on things that will simply end up being binned.
Meaningless and expensive nick knacks are such a waste of money time and energy. Do your friends really need a packet of sugared almonds (OK traditional at Italian weddings but then they buy them in bulk and use them like confetti (Yes it really hurts). What use is a cheap plastic key ring printed with the Bride and Groom’s names and the date of the wedding?
On the other hand a small box of delicious chocolate will go down well (especially with the photographer if any are left over). Why not produce something really personal and beautiful – for example a small book of poems or favourite recipes.
2. Tacky presents. For the Best man, ushers, bridesmaids, great aunt Floss who made the confetti – the list and range of rubbish is endless. Either be prepared to spend a decent amount on sensible presents or, again, make them something really personal.
3. Huge, Expensive flashy designer wedding cakes. Some people order a cake that would feed 300 people when there are only 50 guests??????? If you (or dad) really wants to impress why not consider enlarging the apparent size of the cake with fresh flowers between the layers or a tiered floral arrangement.
4. Too many Keepsakes. The wedding suppliers love to make money out of you by selling you mementoes to “pass down to your children” WHY the kids wont be remotely interested. By all means put together a wedding album but is there space in your home (or life) for a preserved wedding dress, embalmed bridal bouquet, monogrammed picture frame or engraved toasting glass.
5. Too many Bridesmaids and Groomsmen. Our record to date is 10 Bridesmaids, 2 Best Men and 17 (SEVENTEEN) Ushers. Even then the Groom said “17 Bl##@y ushers and not one on the door” as the 300 plus guests were arriving!!!!!!!! Mind you I understand that the “usher’s lunch” before the wedding was quiet a sight. Even if your not paying for the suit hire (they all owned their own morning suits and top hats - Ascot don’t you know) the thank you presents, bouquets, button holes, ushers lunch and so on all add up.
Article & photos by Mike Watts.
Www.MichaelDWatts.com
Please feel free to re-produce with a by-line
ENJOY YOUR DAYCheck out my website at http://www.michaeldwatts.com/ - fill in the contact form and receive a Free Wedding Guide.
(more...)
What matters to you (And your other half to be)?
You could print out 2 copies of this and fill them in independently then discuss the results (try not to fall out at this stage or I
might feel really responsible).
Rate the following from 10 (very important) to 1 (don’t give a damn)
____ Appearance – the bling, Flowers, Decorations, mood etc.
____ Clothes – what you and your guests wear, jeans and sandals to Top hat and tails.
____ Family & Friends.
____ Religion – the spiritual side of you wedding, church etc.
____ Food
____ Booze – Do you do a booze cruise or buy cases of Verve Cliqot.
____ Music – Disco or big band.
____ Convenience – for you or your guests.
____ Photography – You see I’ve put it at the bottom even though it will be all you have left to remember the day.
When you look back at your wedding what do you most want to remember?
____ Romance. – how romantic the day was.
____ Beautiful. – how beautiful it all was.
____ Exciting. – How much excitement you remember.
____ Smooth running – How easily and smoothly the day went.
____ Parents and family _ How happy they were.
____ Formal – How formal the day was.
Circle several words that you think will describe your wedding.
Romantic – religious – Casual – Classic – Classy – Loving – Posh – Glamorous – Relaxed – Formal – Themed - Budget – Luxurious
– Old fashioned – Sporty – Evening – Cute – Solemn – Traditional - Cheap.
List three other words that might describe your day.
_________ __________ __________
Budget – Even if you haven’t worked out your budget yet put some preliminary thoughts down now :-
How much might you spend.
Up to £1000.00
£1,000 to £5,000
£5,000 to £10,000
£10,000 to £20,000
£20,000 to £50,000
If you’re thinking of spending more than that you will probably be paying someone to sort it all out for you.
When are you thinking of getting married :- Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter?
On a special day, holiday, anniversary etc? __________
Have you thought about what the weather might be doing and where you would go if it’s wet, windy etc?
Have you thought of a theme for the day – What ______________
Have you though about a c9olour theme - List your choices._____________________
Now look at our wedding planner and start making some decisions.
Article & photos by Mike Watts.
Www.MichaelDWatts.com
ENJOY YOUR DAYCheck out my website at http://www.michaeldwatts.com/ - fill in the contact form and receive a Free Wedding Guide.
(more...)
(more...)
Working...