With the average Asian wedding in the UK topping the £50,000 mark, it’s clear that weddings equal big spending. Whether you are working to a budget or have thousands at your disposal, there’s no harm in looking for ways to save money – because let’s face it, everyone loves a good bargain!

1. Go off-peak
While the wedding season is no longer limited to summertime, a lot of weddings do still take place between June to August (largely due to the sunshine factor). Therefore try and avoid these months and set your date for a slower month as your suppliers will be more willing to negotiate on price.

2. Get married on a weekday
While this doesn’t work for everyone, if you can opt for a weekday wedding then why not, you’ll save a staggering amount of money on not only your venue, but on other wedding suppliers too.

3. Opt for a cheaper venue
If your dream venue is over budget then sometimes it’s not worth scrimping and saving every penny to pay for it, because it will mean you’ll really have to compromise on other important aspects such as décor, entertainment and food. Instead, why not go for a cheaper venue and then pay a little extra to decorate it well and ensure it looks stunning.

4 .Choose a full-day hire
If you are having a wedding reception then have it at the same venue as your ceremony and preferably on the same day. A full day hire charge is always less than two separate days and it will save you costs on transportation and things like catering, as your caterers will be there from the morning, right till the dessert is served.

5. Attend wedding fayres
If you do some research beforehand and decide which suppliers you want to go for, keep a track of their social media as they’ll most likely be exhibiting their services at a wedding fayre. Most suppliers will have some sort of on-the-day offer if you book them then and there which will definitely save you some money. 

6. Double-up on items
If you’re having a seating plan and want to have both place cards and favours on the table, then a good idea would be to double up on these. You can also reuse any chairs or chair covers you may have hired for the ceremony and even reuse any personalised signage for the reception.

7. Ask family and friends
If you have a big network of people at your disposal then use them. They may be able to put you in touch with a wedding supplier who can offer you a discounted rate due to relations. Sometimes you may be able to reuse things like centerpieces or material that some people may have stored in their attic from a previous wedding. Just because it’s been used before doesn’t mean you should stay clear. Just think of a way to make it unique to your special day.

8. Get bigger tables
If you can get more people seated on the table then it means less tables in total which is fantastic news for you. This will mean forking out less money on centrepieces, tablecloths, and even menu cards and bottles of wine if you’re having any on the table.

9. Nearby location
If you go with a venue that is close to home then it will naturally mean it will take you less time to travel back and fourth and hence making you a saving on travel costs. However, it also means you don’t have to stay over the night before or on the night of the wedding if you don’t want to.

10. Plan ahead
Sometimes you need to sit back, relax and think of the bigger picture. Work out your event theme before you start buying things or putting down any deposits. You don’t want to end up regretting your decision and then end up splashing out more money on extras you could have avoided.

11. Selective drinks
You don’t have to have an open bar at your reception in order for people to enjoy themselves. Instead you can opt to have a choice of two non-alcoholic and two-to-three alcoholic drinks instead. One cocktail, a beer and bottle of wine will usually work well. Better yet – try and keep them in keeping with your theme and guests will think it’s a deliberate move to create a certain ambience. 

12. Don’t go overboard with the flowers
Flowers are a big expense. To keep costs to the minimum try and choose types that are in season and slightly cheaper. If you stick to one or two different ones instead of a whole mixed bunch that will also be less costly.

13. Clever cake
Of course you want your cutting cake to be a showstopper – but it doesn’t have to be huge! Go for something small and sophisticated and have a separate, plain, large slab in the kitchen, which can be cut up and served to your guests.

14. Everyday savings
If for example your wedding is a year away, you can make a conscious decision to perhaps stop buying a daily cup of coffee. With an average cup costing around £3.20, if you stop having a coffee Monday-Friday for one year you could save a whopping £768.

15. Hire a wedding planner
At first you may think a wedding planner means forking out more money on your wedding, but actually, a good wedding planner will have built good relationships with other industry suppliers and may be able to negotiate some great deals for you. A 10 per cent saving on a caterer and a free pre wedding photo shoot, for example, can be a huge saving, and means the wedding planner may have pretty much already paid for his or herself through the savings made.

For any further advice contact our team at enquiries@carriagesevents.co.uk