Weddings are one of the most special moments in life—but they can also come with a hefty price tag. With some clever planning and a few creative decisions, you can have your dream day without draining your bank account.
From timing to suppliers, every choice you make offers an opportunity to save. Here are 10 practical tips to help you stay on budget without sacrificing style or joy.
Consider Less Popular Dates
Choosing the date of your wedding can have a huge impact on the cost of your venue, suppliers, and overall availability. Peak season weekends will always be more expensive due to high demand. By opting for a less traditional time, you can unlock significant savings. Plus, suppliers are more likely to offer discounts for off-peak bookings.
Avoid weekends and choose weekdays like Monday to Thursday for better rates
Consider winter or early spring dates when venues are quieter and more affordable
Get quotes for dates outside school holidays to take advantage of lower demand
Ask your venue if they offer a discount for short-notice or midweek weddings
Give Yours at Dusk
Holding your ceremony later in the day can reduce costs in several ways. With fewer hours to fill, you can scale back on catering, entertainment, and venue hire. A dusk wedding also adds a magical and romantic atmosphere. Think sunset vows followed by a relaxed evening celebration.
Shorter celebrations mean reduced food and drink costs
Limit your entertainment to a single act or DJ for the evening
Dusk weddings eliminate the need for daytime snacks or lunch options
Save on venue hire by booking fewer total hours or choosing evening-only packages
Put Your Guests to Work
Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family to contribute their skills to your big day. From baking the cake to playing music or arranging flowers, their help can save you hundreds. People love to feel involved and appreciated—it adds to the occasion. Just be clear about expectations and offer your gratitude generously.
Ask talented friends to photograph, perform, or decorate in place of hiring pros
Enlist family members to help with setup, transport, or crafting
Request a homemade cake or dessert table instead of ordering from a bakery
Invite musical friends to perform during your ceremony or drinks reception
Hire an Amateur Photographer
Photography is one of the biggest wedding expenses, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Talented student photographers or hobbyists often offer their services at lower rates. With the right research, you can still get beautiful, high-quality photos. Just be sure to check their portfolio before committing.
Reach out to local photography schools to find students seeking portfolio work
Use social media to find new photographers offering discounted rates
Offer a smaller package, like ceremony-only coverage, to keep costs down
Ask if they’ll give you digital files instead of printing albums to save further
Go Back to School
Local colleges and training schools are a hidden gem when it comes to budget weddings. Students studying hair, makeup, catering or floristry often offer their services at a fraction of professional prices. You’ll be helping them gain experience while keeping your costs low. Just make sure you have a trial run in advance.
Book a trainee hair or makeup artist through a beauty school
Use catering students to provide food service at your reception
Contact floristry courses to create your bouquets and centrepieces
Invite design students to help with stationery or signage for a professional look
Let Them Eat Veggie
Food costs can escalate quickly at weddings, especially if you’re serving meat-heavy dishes. A vegetarian menu is not only more cost-effective—it can be just as delicious and satisfying. With creative options and bold flavours, guests won’t even notice the absence of meat. Plus, it’s a more sustainable choice.
Choose a meat-free main dish to cut catering costs significantly
Serve buffet-style vegetarian food for variety and affordability
Feature seasonal vegetables and grains to keep menus fresh and cheap
Use one or two courses instead of three to further reduce food expenses
Stick with the Season
Choosing in-season flowers and ingredients is a smart way to save money without sacrificing quality. Out-of-season items have to be imported and come at a premium. Seasonal choices are fresher, more available, and often more visually appealing. Work with nature instead of against it to stretch your budget.
Select local flowers that bloom naturally during your wedding month
Build your menu around ingredients that are harvested at that time of year
Avoid expensive imports like peonies or exotic orchids when not in season
Ask your florist or caterer for seasonal bundles or packages to cut costs
Keep It Fake
Artificial flowers have come a long way and can look just as beautiful as the real thing—without the same price tag. They’re also practical, lasting forever and withstanding any weather. Best of all, you can arrange them well in advance. It’s a simple swap that can offer big savings across bouquets, centrepieces and décor.
Use high-quality faux flowers for bouquets, buttonholes and table displays
Mix real and artificial blooms to keep a natural look while cutting costs
Shop online or in craft stores for DIY floral supplies
Reuse your artificial arrangements as home decor after the wedding
Wedding + Honeymoon?
Combining your wedding and honeymoon into one event is a great way to save money and simplify planning. Destination weddings are ideal for this, letting you say “I do” and start relaxing all in one trip. It also gives you more quality time with guests. You may even get group discounts on travel and accommodation.
Choose an all-inclusive resort or cruise that doubles as a wedding and honeymoon
Book group travel to secure bulk savings for you and your guests
Use your wedding gift fund to cover honeymoon activities
Select a scenic UK destination to avoid international travel expenses
Get the Gift of a Honeymoon
Instead of traditional wedding gifts, ask guests to contribute towards your honeymoon. It’s a modern, practical solution that helps you create lasting memories. Many couples already have household essentials—what they need is a break! Set up a honeymoon fund online to make it easy and fun for guests to chip in.
Use a registry website like Buy Our Honeymoon or Patchwork to manage contributions
Break the honeymoon into giftable experiences like dinners or excursions
Share a personal story or reason why the trip matters to you as a couple
Thank guests after the honeymoon with photos or messages showing how they helped
Final Thoughts
Saving money on your wedding day doesn’t mean compromising on your vision—it just means being smart with your choices. With a bit of flexibility, creativity, and the help of your loved ones, you can host a beautiful celebration that reflects your values and keeps your finances intact.
Whether it’s choosing a midweek date or going meat-free, every small change adds up. Start with the tips above and enjoy planning your perfect (and budget-friendly) day.
