Why Not Plan a Budget Wedding?
Your wedding plans don’t have to suffer just because you can’t spend thousands on your special day – we aim to show you how to get the best value for money on the things that matter and highlight areas where you can safely cut costs.
We are in the grip of a recession in the UK at the moment, so no matter how well off you are there are still plenty of ways you can reduce the cost of your budget wedding without ever looking down-at-heel. Read the rest of this entry »
Choosing Budget Wedding Flowers
Your budget wedding flowers should create an impact on your wedding day and be arranged in a way that adds beauty to your venue and welcomes your guests.
Styles and arrangments of budget wedding flowers
There are many different styles and shapes of flower arragnments to suit your wedding theme and venue. Tables can be decorated with small potted plants, formal arragnments or flowers in large vases all of which add beauty and impact.
When you have decided how much of your budget you want to spend on flowers tell your florist the amount and ask them to stick to it. This will help you to stay on track.
You could save money by decorating the venue yourself and just using a florist for the bridal party’s flowers. Read the rest of this entry »
Choosing the best Budget wedding venues
Finding low budget wedding venues is all part of planning your budget wedding.
Your reception is one of the most expensive items on your wedding planning list, but with a little research it is also an area where savings can easily be made. The cost of many budget wedding venues depend on your choice of location.
The most popular budget wedding venues are usually booked well in advance, so once you have found your venue make sure you book it as early as possible then you might get it at today’s quote and not next year’s prices. Read the rest of this entry »
Budget wedding cake
Wedding cakes come in many shapes and sizes and your budget wedding cake can easily be adapted to suit your theme.
People often think of the traditional tiered cake for weddings, but there are ways to cut costs and stick to your budget if you research other options. Your budget wedding cake will be displayed for the guests to see and admire and can still look great whatever the cost. The design of the cake will also make a difference to the cost. Simple plain iced cakes can easily be decorated to suit your theme. Square or round cakes can be decorated with ribbons or flowers and can be single layer or tiered.
Decorating your budget wedding cake
Don’t forget you can order cakes from your local baker or high street store if you are on a tight budget. They supply a range of plain designs for you to decorate. This also makes your budget wedding cake unique. Read the rest of this entry »
Budget wedding photographer
If you have a small wedding budget and you can’t decide who should be your budget wedding photographer why not play safe and have a professional photographer to take the more formal shots and leave the more informal candid shots to your family, friends and guests.
Choosing a budget wedding photographer
When choosing the professional try to select someone you think you can have a good working relationship with. Have a clear idea of what you want. Do you want a video alongside the prints? Discuss the key moments you would like on camera and also discuss how many hours you will need him for. Most professionals will have a budget wedding photography package so decide on how much you want to spend stick to it.
Discuss the amount of prints you might require, also if you want an album or would you be making your own. Prices might vary depending on individual requirements so make sure you get a few quotes.
Be honest with the budget wedding photographer. Tell him or her how much of your budget you can spend on the photographs, negotiate a price and be confident when you are asking for a discount.
Do some research and get the best budget wedding photographer for you
Use the Internet to get price comparison for your budget wedding photography. Most budget wedding photographers’ websites will give a clear breakdown of their costs and packages. Using the Internet will enable you to compare prices.
As long as you are willing to do the research, look around for the best options and discuss want you want within your budget you are sure to get the budget wedding photographer and photographs of your dreams.
Planning your budget wedding reception and food
When planning your budget wedding reception it’s not only the venue your guests will remember but also the food. You want people to like what’s being served and enjoy the reception, so it is always a good idea to consider your guests’ needs when planning your budget wedding reception.
It’s always advisable to give your guests a choice of meal that includes vegetarian options and cater for people who have food allergies. Think about the weddings you have been to in the past and try to identify all the things that you liked about them. This might help you to make choices when planning your own budget wedding reception.
Choosing the venue for your budget wedding reception
The size of your guest list will obviously affect your choice of venue. Don’t ever rush in choosing the venue for your budget wedding reception, but make sure it addresses all of your needs and those of your guests. It is essential in this day and age to consider the availability of parking at your chosen venue, as almost certainly all your guests will be arriving by car. It’s also a good idea to consider any guests who may have disabilities and who need easy access. Ask if the venue has any restrictions on catering, decorations or music and whether an extended license may be available if required. It’s a very important event so take time to get the venue right. Read the rest of this entry »
Budget wedding decorations
Most guests at your wedding reception will notice how the venue is decorated as soon as they arrive, and that is why your budget wedding decorations should set the scene for the rest of the day.
Of course, the bride and groom will usually want to carry their theme from the ceremony right through to the reception where the mood is set for the remainder of the celebrations. Some couples like the idea of having the chairs covered and decorated with bows etc., but if that would stretch your budget too much, don’t worry, just keep your budget wedding decorations simple. The guests don’t always notice these details – it’s the overall look that will impress them and make it a memorable occasion. Read the rest of this entry »
Budget wedding car
Arriving at your wedding in a budget wedding car can still impress your guests, so don’t choose a wedding car that you can’t actually afford. The important thing to remember is that you’re getting married and you want it to be relaxed and stress free.
Renting a wedding car can be quite reasonable and there are many styles on offer. Just remember to be open-minded about the style of car as they can differ in price. Read the rest of this entry »
Budget wedding photography 
Budget wedding photography is one area you can reduce the overall cost of your wedding. Wedding photographs give you the opportunity to look back on your special day with everyone. For you to reminisce with your invited guests and for you to share with those who were unable to attend. Planning a wedding can be very expensive so cutting costs in as many areas as you can including budget wedding photography will certainly help your budget. Read the rest of this entry »
Budget wedding dress from the high street.
You might be wondering if the dress of your dreams can be bought on a modest budget , so let’s Look at the high street stores for your budget wedding dress and see what they have to offer.
Each season high street stores are offering a wider range of budget wedding dresses and bridal wears with competitive prices. These are always worth a visit in store or maybe take a look on line first to get a general idea of styles and prices. Read the rest of this entry »
Budget wedding flowers
Choosing budget wedding flowers for your wedding can be an exciting time. They can transform the overall look of your venue and add a touch of luxury whatever your theme.
Choosing your budget wedding flowers
Take into account the time of year when choosing your flowers. Budget wedding flowers that are in season are more economical and can help you stay on budget. Try and keep things simple and choose designs which are easy to construct. Using larger blooms for decorating the venue and in your bouquet can help keep costs down. Remember simple designs can look stunning.
Using a Professional for your budget wedding flowers
If you decide to use a professional florist for your budget wedding flowers make sure you discuss all options and take on board any suggestions they might have to offer. Ask to see photographs of their work or get recommendations from friends and colleagues. It’s easy to get carried away by the choices that are on offer and forget about your budget so try to remember it’s the overall look that counts.
Your choice of budget wedding flowers should compliment your dress not over shadow it and should also be in keeping with the style of venue.
From a country house setting where you might choose Roses, Maidenhair fern, Mexican orange blossom and Queen Anne’s lace to an oriental theme using Orchids and cherry blossom your budget wedding flowers set the scene for your special day.
For more simple ideas on budget wedding flowers why not take a look at my book:
Your budget wedding
A budget wedding Mother of the bride outfit
It’s your daughters’ big day, you feel proud and excited and you need an outfit which is comfortable, co-ordinates with the colour theme of the day and makes you feel fantastic. Don’t despair your Mother of the bride outfit is easily available and can be found on the high street from many stores including House of Frasier, Debenhams, Coast, Phase eight, Jacques Vert, Kalico and many more . Most of these stockists have all the matching accessories to make the look complete.
Choosing your Mother of the bride outfit
We all have individual tastes and styles and straying from this on such a great occasion might not be a good thing. Just like the Bride if you feel comfortable and stylish you will have a much more relaxed day. Read the rest of this entry »
Budget wedding invitations
Wedding invitations can take a lot of your budget depending on the size of your guest list. You can save money by making your own wedding invitations. The great thing about doing it yourself is that you can put your own stamp on the finished product. You could start with the wedding invitations and carry the theme through to the reception stationery if you so wish.
Look at craft shops for your wedding invitations
Wedding invitation kits can be found at many craft shops. Some kits come with a template to work with, and some have software to install for editing. Once you are happy with your choice you simply print onto card. You will be surprised how professional they can look . Craft shops also sell a wide range of textured card and paper along with many decoration accessories such as ribbon, bows, pearls and beading. Read the rest of this entry »
Ruth asks…
making cheap homemade wedding invitations?
so i am kind of a DIY bride, and I am trying to get some ideas where I can put together a low cost (our budget is very small) wedding invitation. i would perfer to make the whole thing myself, except for the print out of the wedding details so i dont have to keep writing it over and over again. any suggestions? thank you. 
hilary answers:
I know a lot of people love the kits, but I wanted to do our invitations all myself as well. Something simple and creative.
So, I got some lovely, blank-inside note cards (on sale, no less), some double-sided tape, and some tracing paper, and some colored paper. I cut the colored paper to the size of the inside of each note card and affixed it to the right side of the card with the double-sided tape. I printed the information on the tracing paper (tedious – you have to feed one sheet at a time, and it jams – but it’s worth it), cut it to size as well, and layered it over the colored paper.
The invitations were easy to make, cost very little, were original, and looked great. Everyone loved them.
Carol asks…
What dresses would be suitable for a courthouse wedding on a budget?
My fiance and I are having a small courthouse wedding and having a “reception” in the banquet room of a local restaurant. We’re on a budget, so the most I’m able to spend on a dress is about $700. What are some dresses that would be suitable for both the style of our wedding and my budget?
Please no David’s Bridal. I’ve looked there, but would like to branch out.
hilary answers:
Since you’re getting married at the courthouse and then going to a restaurant, I would recommend that you not get a big, ornate dress. An a-line would look nice, as would a sheath.
Have you considered getting a white bridesmaid’s dress? Some of them are quite beautiful, and they cost a lot less than a wedding gown.
Maria asks…
Good budgeting tips for an upcoming wedding?
My fiancee and I had our first date on Sunday October 10th, 2004 so we always celebrate our anniversary as 10/10. He proposed to me on 10/10/08 on our four year anniversary and so I really have my heart set on getting married on Sunday October 10th, 2010. 10/10/10 is a very special date to us. However, we are worried we won’t be able to have as nice of a wedding as we’d really like since there are budget restrictions at this time in our lives. We are only 23, we are trying to pay for him to get through college and we both work full time but we don’t make a lot. I have a new car payment I’m paying off until May of ’11 and we’re trying to move out together. In this economy, our families aren’t able to help much, so we’ll have to absorb almost all of the wedding costs. My fiancee will have a career in international business within a couple of years making a lot more money, so we considered maybe a small wedding loan for the meantime which would easily be paid off in the near future. Of course there’s obvious downsides to this option, I’m aware, but saving up any respectable amount of money toward the wedding is proving very difficult for us. And of course there is the option of waiting to get married, but then we would miss out on our special date and our grandparents are getting old, and well, I’d like them all to be there. What are some good budgeting tips for a formal wedding of about 100 or less guests??
hilary answers:
Here on some tips on a budget wedding we did all of this for 1500 dollars just this past October (we were only 22 and 20 ) and had about 200 guests and we used a church my fiance is a member of so it was free.
-I got my dress from ebay. Http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie… It took about a month for me to receive it and im getting it pressed right before the wedding because since it shipped from china it was stuffed in a box but it looks just like the photo its beautiful for a great price.
-We went to a craft store and got silk flowers and did all the bouquets and boutonniere ourselves.
-Bridesmaids dresses you can find at pennys in homescoming dresses for cheap.
-Get a small wedding cake for your bridal party and maybe your parents and get either 1 or 2 (depending on how many people are coming) sheet cakes just simple to match the wedding cake. It will save you alot of money.
-Keep the number of bridesmaids low and groomsmen it will help cut costs.
-See if family friends will do photos. Just tell them you want them to take all the photos they can bc you aren’t having a photographer and have them email them to you. There are pretty high chances you will get a ton of good ones this way.
-Have family members aunts uncles mom grandma help cook things. That’s what we did and just had a buffet for food. We did chicken. Potatoes, rigatoni and meatballs, veggies, fruit, and cookies and stuff. Then you don’t have to have a caterer.
-I have a TON of music so i just had a friend of the family use my laptop and dj for us.
-We had no alcohol too only for the bridal party for our toasting that was it.
-Get your plates cups napkins and such at a GFS market place if you have one near you or even dollar tree they have alot of that stuff.
-We set the places at the tables with a plate and napklins and silverwear we left the options for cups and bowls up on food tables this made it look so much nicer.
-For wedding bands go to zales or walmart. When shopping for ours we found that they are the two cheapest places. He got his at walmart for 59 dollars and mine at zales for 149 dollars.
-Tux’s can add up quick so youll have to do some shopping around for a tux rental. We ended up paying almost 200 for my grooms but we wanted something rare. Or see if a friend or a parent has a tux he can borrow. Or just not even wear tux’s they could wear dress pants and button down shirts.
-For decorations pic colors that are popular with the season you are having you wedding in. Like in fall browns, oranges, and creams are easier to find. Near the fourth of july you might want red and white or blue and white. And so on.
-Use all white table cloths for reception tables and do nice decorations in you colors. White table cloths can be bought in bulk at www.dollartree.com. We used those and got mesh in the colors of wedding and did runners with the mesh down the tables in the colors then used confetti all over the runners with just 2 simple candles in the center then in a matching jar to the candles a single flower in each. Then on the bridal table parents table and cake tables we got colored nice table clothes.
-For the church you can go to craft stores and get bows made for cheap usually thats what we did and put a bow on every other church pew. It was simple yet nice. Thats all we did at the church.Oh and the church let us use these isle candles they had for free too.
Ill send you an email on here to with links to photos if you want to see pics.
Hope this helped! If you need any other tips send me an email id be glad to help you out =)
Carol asks…
Does anyone have any different ideas for Greek wedding arches?
My package includes the Greek wedding arch (link below) but I am not a big fan of the ivy draped around it. I have found images with tulle of fabric, but nothing that fits my liking. Does anyone have pictures of how they used this differently or can find some good examples online?
http://deejayseventrentals.com/trip_wed2_v1.htm
We don’t have a big flower budget and I’m not a fan of big arrangements anyway.
This will be an inside wedding in the banquet hall.
Thanks!!
hilary answers:
I don’t have any pictures but you could wrap garland around each column, intertwine small flowers into the garland, then drape soft sheer fabric in swags across the top. The swags can be held in place by small flower falls. It won’t look like the example you are showing.
Or leave the columns bare and just attach small flower waterfalls to the top of the arch………
Sharon asks…
Need a great wedding venue for $6000 or less in socal?
Hi I’m budgeting $6000 for a wedding venue rental and food at the reception for 100-125 people. Any ideas? Southern California please! Also keep in mind the $6000 will NOT be used for anything else (flowers, clothing, gifts, etc). Thanks!!
hilary answers:
I got married at the Hilton San Diego Resort two years ago. It was $5,000, plus a small fee ($75?) for the ceremony.
Here are the particulars: It was a Sunday. I had a guest list of 75-100. I got married on a swath of beach outside the resort, and had the reception on a GORGEOUS outdoor patio. You could probably do it for 100-125 ppl.
Food and service were absolutely impeccable. I was told that for the site it was a requested at least $5,000. You can do that with the menus they offer and still accommodate guests. If you get fancy, it will certainly get more expensive. But, the location is amazing!
You can get married on the beach by Mission Bay, and have a reception on a stone patio surrounded by palm trees and a waterfall. It will truly be an amazing night.