Our Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis is here with a few quick tips for weddings on a budget
Don't have a wedding lust list
A wedding is to celebrate a marriage, not an event in its own right. Too many people start their married life in debt because of wedding overspending and as financial worries are one of the biggest causes of divorce, it’s not a good start. So don’t write a lust list of everything you want, but don't necessarily need at your wedding. Instead write a budget of what you can afford and then prioritise what you need in order of how important it is to you and work down the list according to your finances. You can still create your perfect day on a budget.
If you're going to borrow anyway, then at least ensure it’s controlled and as cheap as possible – such as a 0% for spending credit card with repayments planned to ensure the debt is clear before the 0% ends.
Haggle, haggle, haggle
Gather as many quotes as you can then play suppliers' off each other. The mention of a cheaper quote is often a quick way to get closer to the price you want. Don’t mention ‘it’s a wedding’ if you can avoid it, keep that back and call it a party or occasion, as the wedding word can treble prices in one foul swoop.
Offering a deposit up front or booking as far in advance as possible can also sometimes enable you to get a discount. See what you can get away with bringing yourself instead of getting the venue to supply it, as often their mark-ups are huge.
Have a wedding of talents
Anything connected with a wedding sees prices triple. So why not call on friends and family and see what talents they have, which could be used to contribute towards the wedding. Do you know someone who could make the cake, help with the dress or even take the wedding photos? Have a think about who can do what and ask them personally for their help in lieu of a wedding present; it'll cut the cost of the wedding for you and perhaps their gift will make your big day all the more personal and memorable.
Don’t be afraid to ask for cash
These days people often live together before getting married, so they have toasters, kettles etc. In fact perversely the biggest expense of a marriage is now often the wedding itself (typically over £20k). So asking for cash that helps cover the cost of someone being a guest works.
It’s worth remembering, wedding ceremonies historically were a form of social banking. The older generation gave to the younger generation to help start them off. Then as people age, those gifts are repaid down to the next generation to keep it going - so again these days the only way to do that is generally with cash.
Weddings for a grand
Many big hotel chains offer 'Wedding for a Grand' packages and it could be an option if you're on a tight budget and have a limited guest list. The key is you know straight up what you're paying for. Also be aware that the offer may only be available at certain hotels.
• Holiday Inn offers a buffet and wine for up to 100 guests, a wedding ceremony and planner, a disco and accommodation for the happy couple.
• Old English Inns offers a glass of champagne to toast the occasion, a three course meal, a glass of wine to go with it and a disco for up to 50 guests. Although this offer is only on for those booking and planning to have their wedding by the end of this year.
• Britannia Hotels offers Bucks fizz and a 3 course breakfast for 50 guests, evening buffet for 100 guests, room hire and toastmaster. This offer's available for those booking and having their wedding before the end of this year.
I've also had reports of independent pubs having similar deals, so why not check with your local to see if they've got any interesting offers?
Section 75
And sadly, remember the further you book in advance, the more you risk an issue with the company you’re paying going bust while it's got your money - if that happens there’s little likelihood of you getting it back.
As well as wedding insurance, one option to protect yourself both in the UK and abroad is paying on a credit card - not because I want you to borrow, the opposite, you should always ensure you clear the card in full so there’s no interest. Yet if you buy things that cost over £100 on a card, the card company is jointly liable with the retailer if things go wrong, so if the retailer went bust you could ask the card company for your money back instead.
For more information and links see the useful links section top right