Cheap wedding?

Hi all,

I have been engaged for the past year and a half and haven't booked a date for the wedding yet.

I am 27 and me and my partner have our own house, but I would love to get a wedding booked.

The only problem is, weddings are extremely expensive and tbh I just can't justify it. I've looked at a few venues and we're talking around £16,000 for the venue alone without the dress, suits, etc.

I can't think of anything worse than spending £20,000 odd on a wedding when that money could have gone on so many better things.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to have low budget weddings? Ideas on something different? I really want to get married but not for the prices that I have been quoted!!

 

Do you want the marriage or the wedding?

Registry office and simple meal with family can cost under 1000. You don’t even have to buy new clothes.

 

There’s a blog called ‘the thrifty bride’ who has lots of ideas for small/budget weddings
I don’t know if it’s still active as I was following in 2021 when I got engaged and ended up having a more traditional expensive wedding in the end

 

I went to Vegas but that's not for everyone.

A registry office can be beautiful, they usually have a variety of rooms and packages for different sized events from just 2 witnesses to 100 friends and family.

We've been married 18 years and I regret nothing about having a completely private elopement. We wanted to be married but had no interest in a wedding and were completely unwilling to spend any real money on it. Instead we went on holiday for 5 nights to a fun location and spent 45 minutes of it getting married.

 

I think you have to think about options of how many guests. How many is your absolute must and then what is optional.
that will give you a better idea what to look for.

 

Personally I'd or when I get married (still waiting on the ring but have the house and baby lol) I would have a small intimate ceremony and maybe a nice meal
Or something after I wouldn't blow all the money on a wedding either x

 

First work out what matters to you. Have you had a secret dream for years about what your wedding would be like?

Do you want a large party with lots of family/friends? Or would you prefer small and stylish? How many people for each?

What was good about the nicest wedding you've been to recently? What, if anything, have you spotted that seemed a bit pointless?

Don't buy bridal magazines or look at wedding websites for inspiration. They very much reflect the industry, and are trying to sell you things.

You don't need to book a venue - think about having a church or registry office wedding, then a reception/party somewhere else. This generally brings the price down, depending on catering/bar arrangements. Pub or clubhouse with a function room can be the best bet, as they can supply all the drinks and will be set up for caterers (or might be able to do it in house, probably with less of a mark up than a wedding venue). You might even be able to supply own booze (but pay corkage).

Do remember to feed your guests at normal mealtimes. If you have a late afternoon wedding, it gives people time to travel on the day (knowing they'll need lunch beforehand) then you can have the reception over an early dinner (6-ish?) and then dancing. Or if you're not bothered by dancing, have mid morning wedding, reception at lunchtime, then you can "go away" mid afternoon. It's become much more common to have a evening do, but it's really not compulsory.

You don't need elaborate decorations, favours, extensive stationery, or swish wedding cars. Decent photographer is however worth it IMO (and is the thing I would do differently if I was ever going to do it again - we used the local one knowing he could be a bit iffy and he was).

Cakes can vary enormously in cost - how elaborate do you want to go? Do you even want one at all?

 

Thanks everyone for responses.

I had always said that I would get married in vegas! But now that it's here I think I would like it in the U.K. for grandparents and family to attend.

I am not keen on registry office and a meal type of thing as I would like a wedding - wedding dress, speeches, etc but I just don't know how im going to get a proper wedding without having to spend thousands!

I will probably end up not getting married before I spend thousands of pounds as I just could never justify it