Wedding ideas – cutting the cost of your wedding

Cutting wedding cost
You may be beginning to despair and thinking ‘How can we ever afford to get married if that’s what it’s going to cost?’ But all is not lost; there are numerous ways of cutting down on the costs incurred by a traditional wedding. Even if you have a more or less unlimited budget it is silly to pay out unnecessarily for details that you are not that bothered about, so you might find some of these ideas useful. If you are on a very limited budget these ideas could make all the difference between a disappointing wedding day and one that is full of most of the traditional trimmings – but at less than the traditional cost!

In rural England bride-ales were common. /4 small party would be held in the church after the ceremony, then a collection box would be sent round. Alternatively, guests could throw money into a bow! in the church before or after the service.

Clothes
Make your own wedding and bridesmaids’ dresses, or have them made for you by a friend or relation.
Cut down on your anticipated number of bridesmaids, pageboys, etc.
Hire your wedding dress, groom’s suit, etc.
Use a suit that the groom has already rather than getting one made.
Borrow or hire a veil.
Wear a pair of white shoes you already have rather than buying new ones.
Use your best dress as your going-away outfit.
In some areas of rural France there used to be a traditional way of raising money for couples who could not afford the whole cost of getting married. The five prettiest girls in the village were sent from house to house; the first offered food, the second offered wine, the third received the money, the fourth wiped the donor’s mouth-with a napkin, and the fifth gave him a kiss.

Please don’t forget before you go to your favourite location to order on time your vintage wedding rings from our goldsmiths.

Flowers
Make your own bouquets, or ask a friend to do it for you.
Carry posies of flowers from your garden.
Cut down on the number of arrangements in the church and at the reception.
Reception
Cut down the number of guests anticipated.
Use a church hall instead of an hotel or restaurant.
Do the catering yourself, or ask friends to help.
Ask your guests to bring some food.
Have snacks or cocktails rather than a full meal.
Have a pay-your-own-way bar.
Use cheaper wine rather than champagne for the toasts.
Make and ice your own cake, or ask a friend.

Honeymoon
Borrow a cottage or a villa.
Go somewhere in this country rather than abroad.
Go on a special budget deal holiday.
Take your honeymoon at off-peak season.
Go to a bed and breakfast or self-catering place.
Stay at home!
In Finland, brides traditionally sat in splendor with a rich shawl over their knees at the wedding feast; as each guest filed past he or she would place some money in the shawl.

Matching Wedding Bands – made in Germany only in our online store for jewellery

Extras
Marry in a registry office and save on the church trimmings.
Use smart cars belonging to friends and relations, and trim them with white ribbon, rather than hiring.
Ask a friend with a video camera to record the proceedings for you instead of a professional company.
Cut down on the number of pictures you have taken.
Hand-write all your invitations.
Have one ring instead of two.
Buy rings made of 9ct gold or silver instead of 18ct gold or platinum.
Cut down on extra stationery such as place cards, thank you notes, etc.
Some wedding firms offer a special budgeting service; it may be worth looking into one of these if money is likely to be a problem.