GETTING married is one the happiest times of your life – but planning a wedding can be as stressful.
Not to mention it can also cost thousands of pounds and very quickly spiral out of control.
Planning a wedding is exciting but stressful[/caption]
And they can be very expensive and hard to plan on a budget[/caption]
There are so many different things to consider – from the venue and the guest lists to the menus, cars, flowers, and much more.
So it’s no wonder that brides and grooms can quickly find it becoming overwhelming both financially and mentally.
And with soaring bills, skyrocketing costs and the current cost of living crisis, many may understandably be worrying about their wedding budget.
Luckily, one expert is on hand to help engaged couples have the wedding of their dreams without breaking the bank.
Claudia Postigo, founder and Head Wedding Planner at The Planner Co, has shared her seven tips to keep costs down for the big day.
And she also reveals how couples can save significant money on wedding aspects that many go overboard on.
Don’t let yourself get caught off-guard by the excitement. Your special day should be about you and your family.
Claudia Postigo
Claudia said: “You’re only limited by your imagination when creatively planning a wedding that doesn’t break the bank.
“A great wedding planner will help you achieve your goals and not pressure you into buying more than you can afford.
“Don’t let yourself get caught off-guard by the excitement. Your special day should be about you and your family.
“It’s hard to relax if you’ve overspent, so stick to your budget, maybe hire a professional wedding planner, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box to create the most spectacular day you will remember forever.”
1. Choose off-season dates
The time of year you decide to have your wedding can massively impact how much it will cost.
Choosing a date during the off-season times can make much much cheaper in the long run.
Claudia explains: “Most couples opt for summer and autumn weddings, making these the peak seasons for wedding vendors.
“By choosing to have your wedding during the off-season, such as winter or early spring, when demand is lower, you can save a considerable amount of money on venues, caterers, and other services.”
Having a winter wedding can help keep costs down[/caption]
2. Leverage DIY décor
While hiring professionals to create all your little touches might sound great, it can quickly cost a fortune.
Doing some things yourself can not only save you money, but also make your special day even more personal for you and your guests.
The experts say: “DIY projects help to add a personal touch to your wedding, while having the added bonus of saving you a lot of money.
“Some fun examples include creating your own centrepieces, wedding favours, and even invitations.
“You’ll find plenty of budget-friendly and creative ideas on websites like Pinterest.
“For example, you could create table runners from inexpensive fabric or craft hanging installations using paper cranes or origami flowers – get creative!”
Getting married in a non-tradition venue, like a beach, can be much cheaper[/caption]
3. Book non-traditional venues
Most people love the idea of having a traditional wedding, but this can also cost a fortune.
Opting for a venue that’s less traditional can bring the costs down by thousands of pounds.
Experts advise: “Rather than booking a traditional and expensive wedding venue, you could go for less traditional places to host your wedding.
“These might include a park, a beach, or even a friend’s garden!
“Non-traditional venues tend to be more affordable and provide a unique and memorable wedding experience.”
4. Reduce the guest list
Anyone who has planned a wedding, or is in the process of planning one, will know that the guest list and quickly grow out of hand.
And while it may be nice to give everyone a plus one or invite those very distant cousins, cutting them off the list – or even swapping them from an all-day invite to an evening invite – can save you a fortune.
Claudia says: “One of the biggest expenses of a wedding is the cost of catering for all those guests.
“To save money, consider reducing your guest list to include only close relatives and friends.
“This both cuts down on catering costs and creates a more intimate and meaningful atmosphere for your special day.”
One of the most expensive parts of a wedding can be the guest list[/caption]
5. Go digital
Having save-the-dates and formal wedding invitations can be lovely, but they also come with a hefty price tag.
And in this generation where there is a huge drive for things being made online, why not put your focus into hoping digital?
Experts suggest: “In an era where most things are digital, it makes sense to go paperless for your wedding invitations and save-the-date cards.
“Use online tools such as Canva or Evite to create beautiful and personalised digital invitations and send them out to guests via email or social media.
“This approach is a lot more eco-friendly but also saves money on printing and postage.”
Top wedding trends for 2025
AS the end of 2024 draws near and the wedding season winds down, wedding planners and tastemakers are already looking ahead to the top trends of 2025.
And Claudia has revealed that it’s all going to be about personalisation next year, as well as bold colours and intimate celebrations.
Revealing the top six wedding trends of 2025, she said: “In 2025, couples want their ceremony to be as unique as their love story, so personalization will be a huge focus.
“Sustainability is also a priority for 2025 couples. Many are also renting décor and attire rather than buying new, opting for second-hand or upcycled wedding dresses to save on costs and reduce fast fashion.”
- Bold colour palettes – 2025’s wedding colours will be jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, and deep burgundy, paired with bright accents like gold or neon.
- Cultural fusion – many couples are blending their cultural traditions to create truly unique wedding experiences. This could mean incorporating traditional elements from both wedding cultures, such as combining a Hindu ceremony with a Western-style reception.
- Technology integration – Continuing a trend that started during COVID, many couples are live-streaming their ceremonies to allow friends and family who can’t attend to participate remotely.
- Intimate celebrations – While grand, opulent weddings are going to be popular, there is also a growing trend towards smaller, more intimate celebrations, such as micro-weddings which have guest lists of fewer than 50.
- Experience-driven receptions – In 2025, Claudia predicts that couples will move away from traditional reception formats, instead going for more unique and inventive options.
- Luxury elopements – More couples will skip traditional ceremonies in favour of intimate celebrations at stunning, high-end locations in 2025.
5. Recycle, Reduce, Reuse
It may be tempting to buy every single thing brand-new for your wedding day.
But have you thought about using second-hand wedding items for your day? Some items have only been used once and are in near-perfect condition, and you can get them for a fraction of the price.
Claudia explains: “When it comes to wedding décor, why not try recycling and reusing items from previous weddings or events?
“A perfect example would be using old mason jars to repurpose as candle holders or vases.
“You could also ask family and friends if they have any decor items or materials you can use for your wedding.”
Opting for a smaller wedding cake can also save you hundreds of pounds[/caption]
6. Consider a smaller wedding cake
Something you might not expect to cost a lot of money but can actually be quite expensive is a wedding cake.
And even though it can be lovely and pretty to have a huge three or four-tier cake, having something smaller can cut costs.
The experts say: ” While the idea of having a grand and extravagant wedding cake is appealing, it can add a lot to your budget – not to mention the calories!
“To save some money, opt for a smaller wedding cake for the ceremonial cutting and a larger sheet cake for guests to enjoy.
“Most bakeries offer this option, which could save you hundreds of pounds.”
