Allow us to repeat a statement that will be almost as recurrent in the run up to your Big Day as ‘’let’s hope the weather turns out okay’’; weddings can be costly.

Emotionally, sure. Physically, maybe. But we’re talking primarily here about the impact on your bank balance. In the UK, weddings cost an eye-watering £17,300 on average, a figure that for most couples enduring a cost of living crisis may feel insurmountable or just plain frivolous.

Indeed, a recent poll by Gumtree reported that almost two-thirds (63%) of couples were now favouring less substantial, more sustainable weddings, with a feeling that getting wed shouldn’t have to cost a fortune or the Earth.

Thankfully, there are ways to trim the cost of your wedding that still allow you to have the dream day you’ve always imagined. So, what are the things you might spend the most on, and where can you cut some costs? Here, we explore how to save money on your wedding during a cost of living crisis.

The Guest List

First of all, remember that this is your wedding, not your family’s or friends. Decide who you really want to be with you on this special day. 

Are there relatives you haven’t seen in a quarter of a century or old uni friends you haven’t much in common with anymore on your list? While it is lovely to reunite with people you haven’t seen for ages, chances are that you won’t have much time to speak to them on the day, so maybe save that catch-up for something more intimate. Your wedding guestlist should be full of those you’d be happy to have dinner with any day of the week — especially if you’re paying for it! 

Do you need to invite people that don’t live near you? If they are part of the wedding party, it’s of course necessary, but remember that your guests may be feeling the pinch too, so they may be happy not to come to your wedding if it means a big expense to them. Try not to be offended if they can’t make it, and instead embrace those who politely decline as helping you trim down the guestlist.

The Wedding Dress, Suits and Bridesmaid Dresses

You may have longed for the perfect wedding dress your whole life. But let’s put this into perspective; you might spend hundreds or even thousands on an absolutely stunning gown, but you will only wear it once. Could that money be better spent elsewhere (like behind the bar!)?

How about hiring your wedding dress instead? There are plenty of places where you can rent a dress for your big day for as little as £20 per day. You could end up getting married in a dream dress too expensive to buy upfront, with dresses worth £10k costing as little as £125 to hire. It’s a win-win situation.

The same applies to bridesmaid dresses and suits for the groomsmen. Hiring them makes much more sense financially. In short, redefine the dated definition of a ‘perfect’ wedding day to suit both the times and your own unique tastes.

Wedding Stationery

Your wedding invitations, save-the-date cards, table planner and signs are vital to helping keep your wedding organised and running smoothly. Ordering your stationery is one of the first things you can do when planning your big day. Buying in bulk and keeping to a set theme is a great way to save money while helping you work out your guest list and, in turn, your table plans and order of the day.

Getting invitations sent out early with all the information guests need, such as date, time, and venue can help your guests save money, especially if they need to book travel and accommodation. 

Indulgent Extras

Do you really need a chocolate or champagne fountain? Are massive table centrepieces that make it difficult for people to talk to each other strictly necessary? While some extravagant details are great for photos, they are often quickly forgotten or remembered for the wrong reasons. The things your guests will appreciate the most about your wedding are spending precious moments with the happy couple, socialising, good food, a great venue and the entertainment (and the first two are free!).

Read: How to have your dream wedding on a budget in 2022

Do It Yourself (Or Ask a Friend)

Isn’t it wonderful when you have creative friends? There are plenty of things you can do yourself or ask a friend to help with if they have the skills. 

Do you know a brilliant baker who could make your wedding cake? Perhaps you have a friend with a swanky car that could take you to the venue? Is there a budding hairdresser in the family? These are all great ways to save money, and potentially save them cash too, if they do you a favour instead of getting you a wedding gift. 

Should you know a band or DJ, asking them to play at your wedding can be great fun as you know they’ll step it up and throw you the best party you could wish for. 

If you always wear makeup, you’ll likely know what suits your skin tone and how heavy or light you like it to be. You don’t want to turn up at your wedding looking like a totally different person, so doing your own makeup can ensure you look exactly how you want.

Wedding Photographers

Photographs can be another big expense, but they don’t need to be. If you know someone with a great eye for detail and a decent camera, they may be up for taking some semi-professional photos. Just remember that if you ask a close friend or family member, they might not be able to enjoy the day as much as they’ll be ‘on duty’. 

Of course, most of your guests will have phone cameras and will be snapping away all day and night, so if you’re not too bothered about having professionally taken pics, then why not simply ask your guests if they can send you their best shots of the day? It’s often those off-the-cuff pictures that you treasure the most.

And with those tips locked and loaded, can we assume that an invite to your Big Day is winding its way to us?