With their wealth of experience from working with suppliers from across the UK, The Wedding Gateway are the perfect people to help you stay within your wedding budget! We asked for their top tips – here’s what they had to say!
“As we’ve worked with suppliers all over the UK, our first tip is to be clear between the difference of ‘cheap’ and ‘good value’,” says Lou from The Wedding Gateway. “Manage your budget carefully and research your suppliers to ensure you aren’t disappointed and remember, if the price is too good to be true – it often is.”
Dress
Why not check the reduced rail in the dress store – these might be ex-display, or last season, and could make you a huge saving!
Catering
Think about the time of your ceremony and plan the food accordingly. If it’s later in the day, why not have afternoon tea followed by speeches and then a hot buffet, or a fun hot dog stand or fish and chip stall in the evening?
Cake
“Serve your wedding cake as your dessert at your reception,” says The Wedding Gateway supplier The Buttercup Kitchen. “This not only saves you money but gives you an excuse to be extravagant with flavours and fillings of your wedding cake!” Want a show-stopping cake but don’t have the budget for it? Supplier Cakes by Kit has a sneaky tip! “Think about dummy layers to create the visual effect that you want without paying for a cake that you don’t need – it’ll save you money and won’t waste cake!”
Favours
Favours aren’t compulsory, and avoiding them could help you save a chunk of your wedding budget. If you’re worried that your guests will feel short changed, you could provide an ever-popular sweetie buffet at your reception – it can be cheaper than individual favours and everyone’s guaranteed to love it!
Flowers
“Ask your florist to discuss with you cheaper alternatives in terms of flowers,” says The Wedding Gateway supplier Rachel Dampier Floral Design. “Seasonal flowers will work out a lot cheaper, resulting in more stems and more designs for your money.” Lula Mai Events agrees that communication with your florist is your best way to save pennies. “Be honest with your florist about your budget. They work to a minimum order quantity and can often provide a lot more than you think for a lot less than you expected!”
Wedding make-up
If you don’t have the budget to pay for a make-up artist on the day, why not invest in a ‘pre-wedding’ consultation? You’ll be taught how to do your make-up with the contents of your own make-up bag, which is cheaper and also perfect for when you need a quick top-up before your photos.
Photography
This is one of the most important areas of your day – get it wrong and you don’t get a second chance to have the pictures taken. Spend time researching and reviewing photographers to not only make sure they are within you budget, but that their natural style of photo suits you.
Stationery
Supplier Grace and Bramble has a clever tip for brides who aren’t fussed about traditional wedding etiquette. “Save money on your stationery by skipping the RSVP card – you can just ask your guests to RSVP with a quick email or text.”
Guests
This is one of the most difficult areas for couples to compromise on, but also one where costs are likely to spiral out of control. “Only invite people that YOU want at your wedding, not people that others have said you should have,” advises supplier Chantily Rose Weddings & Events. “It’s very easy for the guestlist to quickly mount up.”
Wedding planner
Speak to local planners to understand the packages that they offer. In the long term they may be able to save you money by negotiating with suppliers on your behalf.
Gifts for the wedding family party
If you want to give gifts to the family, you could give them flowers or centrepieces that have been used during the day – it will save you money and there will be an extra special, personal touch to the gifts.
Use local suppliers
Where possible, use local suppliers to your home or venue as this can save you money, with travel times and prices being a lot less. The Wedding Gateway can help you find your local suppliers for all areas of your wedding… check out the website here!
Looking for more money-saving tips? Take a look at our wedding planning and budget and finance sections! If you’re going down the DIY route to save some dosh, check out our Pinterest page!
