The Wedding Gateway is your gateway to a whole host of professional wedding suppliers across the country. And here, the team have asked some of their favourite wedding companies for their top tips on how to have a dream day on a tight budget. Notebooks at the ready…
Save on RSVPs
To save on RSVP cards and envelopes, why not request RSVPs to an email address? You could create a new account specifically for your wedding replies and keep them all in one handy place.
That Special Day Stationery’s, Manchester Wedding Supplier
Fake your cake
If you want a tall wedding cake but your guest list or budget does not stretch to this, ask your cake maker about adding dummy tiers to get the same grand effect for half the price.
Cakexstacy, Dorset Wedding Supplier
Double up your decorations
Choose flowers and wedding decor that can be used more than once in different areas throughout the day. For example, the flowers on the registrar’s table can be used on the top table afterwards.
Rose Blossom, Essex Wedding Supplier
Budget-savvy accessories
When buying your wedding jewellery, speak to your supplier about the style and design you want. They may be able to advise you if a cheaper alternative is available by using slightly different materials.
Star Stealer, Cambridgeshire Wedding Supplier
Save on suppliers
Review all the services offered by a particular supplier. You may get discounts if you book them for more than one service on the day as they will already be at your venue.
Racing Snail Creative Entertainment, Surrey Wedding Supplier
Trial runs
When booking your hair and make-up trial, try to book it on a day that you are going to a special occasion, maybe your hen do. That way, you get to show off your beautiful make-up and hair and it’s also a great test of how long it will stay put on the day itself.
Dawn Taylor Beauty, Essex Wedding Supplier
Upcycle your jewellery
If you have some old jewellery that you no longer wear, or a sentimental piece that isn’t to your taste then why not recycle it? You can trade in your old metal towards the cost of your new wedding bands or have a ring made to your taste using the metal from the older piece.
The Wedding Ring Store, Online Wedding Supplier
Budget-friendly favours
You can make savings by using your favours as place name settings at the reception. Just add a tag to the favour and you have two details in one!
WrapperStar – Online Wedding Supplier
Hire, don’t buy
Hiring over buying is not only friendlier on your bank balance, it also takes the stress away from sourcing items, setting up and clearing down, allowing you more time to enjoy the build up to your special day.
Linen & Lace, Dorset Wedding Supplier
Colour match your details
If you need colour swatches to help suppliers match the colour for your wedding, why not head to your local DIY store and pick up some of the paint colour cards that match the colour you are looking for? You can then pick up a few and share them with your suppliers as needed. That way, you won’t waste money on details of the wrong colour.
Jill The Cakemaker, Hampshire Wedding Supplier
Good hair day
If you have booked your bridal hairstylist, book in for your colour and cut before the wedding with her. Some wedding hairdressers will offer a discount on everyday hairdressing to their brides!
C D Hair, Oxfordshire Wedding Supplier
Savvy gifts
If you’re on a budget choose table decorations and flowers that you can give to your wedding party as gifts. Topiary tree centrepieces are perfect for this!
Made With Love By Lynn, Buckinghamshire Wedding Supplier
Swap and save
For a summer wedding welcome drink that won’t break the bank, swap expensive Champagne for an elderflower cordial with sparkling wine and serve in chic vintage Champagne saucers.
Forget-me-not Vintage, Dorset Wedding Supplier
Make a list
List your wedding details in order of importance and work your budget from top to bottom starting with what is most important to you on your day. It could be the dress, the food, the entertainment – every couple’s wedding essentials are different. What are yours?
Serenityvintageweddings, Worcestershire Wedding Supplier
Tactical transport
For your wedding transport, start with a plan of who needs transportation and where they need to be transported to and from. If the travel distance isn’t too far some companies may be able to accommodate multiply journeys within their standard package for you to help you manage your budget more effectively.
Bay Camper Weddings, Lancashire Wedding Supplier
Don’t ask, don’t get
Don’t be afraid to ask your wedding supplier ‘is this your best price?’ You don’t have anything to lose and it may get you a discount. The worst they can say is no.
Mike Fear Photography, Oxfordshire Wedding Supplier
Crafty cupcakes
Instead of a tiered wedding cake, why not have a smaller cake (for the tradition of ‘cutting the cake’) with a selection of co-ordinating cupcakes. You could even serve the cupcakes instead of a traditional dessert.
Cupacakey, Gloucestershire Wedding Supplier
More green, less spend
Keep your flowers simple and use lots of greenery in your wedding displays Using a few dramatic flowers, like hydrangeas reduces the cost and gives a lovely natural look to your wedding flowers, too.
Petals & Confetti, Buckinghamshire Wedding Supplier
Bespoke doesn’t mean ‘budget-busting’
Don’t be afraid of the price of bespoke accessories – you may find you can get exactly what you want cheaper than you can find on the high street – and it will be totally personal and unique to you.
Dilly Dally Designs, Wedding Supplier Kent
Go local!
Support your local wedding suppliers. They can offer bespoke, personalised items and services at surprisingly affordable prices, making your special day unique.
