Clever couples know that accepting the help of loved ones will save them a heap of cash. From making your wedding cake to helping put together the favours, use your friends\u2019 and family\u2019s skills.<\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t ask, you won\u2019t get! When it comes to buying your wedding flowers<\/a>, details and even booking your venue, there are always negotiations to be made. Can your venue throw in free corkage? Or perhaps your tailor made suits can get a discount for buying in bulk? Don\u2019t be shy \u2013 it\u2019s always worth an ask.<\/p>\n For a cheap-but-chic drinks reception, ditch traditional bubbly and serve pitchers of your own bespoke cocktail. Give them a romantic name, too, like \u2018Marital Bliss\u2019 or \u2018Love Struck\u2019. Adding fruit juice makes pricier alcohol go a long way.<\/p>\n Crafty brides will not only make their day personal and unique but also save a bundle, too. Make your own stationery, cake, wedding bouquets<\/a>, hanging decorations and even set up a photobooth \u2013 it can be a really fun party of the planning process and the cost of materials will be less than ordering from a professional. Just make sure you don\u2019t take on too much at once, or you could run out of time!<\/p>\n Budget spreadsheets are an absolute must when planning your wedding<\/a>. You must keep on top of your finances, and ensure you are going to meet all the payment deadlines.<\/p>\n Increase your bank balance and wedding fund by having a mass clear out. Take all your things to a car boot sale or jumble sale and put every penny you make into the wedding piggy bank.<\/p>\n For great wedding entertainment or a small budget, hire lawn games such as giant Jenga, croquet or even a bouncy castle! It will go down well with all your guests\u2026 especially after a few cocktails!<\/p>\n Do your research before you book your honeymoon. There are plenty of websites out there that showcase the very best packages, deals and last-minute offers. The later you leave booking the better price you\u2019ll get on your trip.<\/p>\n Think outside the box. No cash for table centres? Display your favours on retro cake stands. Ghastly entrance? Use white drapes to cover any eyesores.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find top saving tips and advice from other brides-to-be on a Wedding ideas<\/a> forum, as well as get the opportunity to buy their wedding dress second hand.<\/p>\n When you\u2019ve set your budget, it\u2019s very easy to be tempted to buy the odd little extra here and there, but these details soon add up. Make sure you stick to the plan and get only what you need.<\/p>\n To-do lists are an absolute must. With so many suppliers to deal with and details to buy, don\u2019t leave it to chance that you\u2019ll remember everything. There\u2019s something quite satisfying about ticking things off as you go.<\/p>\n Every wedding needs good wedding \u00a0music to get the party going \u2013 but if a DJ is out of your price range, ask a budding rockstar friend to do a live set as their wedding gift to you.<\/p>\n What better inspiration for your big day than the great outdoors? Hand pick flowers from your garden for your table centres, use pine cones as place card holders or fruit as favours.<\/p>\n Rummage around in your cupboards and attic for old toys and treats that could be used at your wedding. Maybe an old birdcage could be painted and used for decoration, an old suitcase could be scrubbed up and used to hold the gift cards, or an old camera could be used to take old-fashioned photobooth snaps.<\/p>\n Easily made using sheets of tissue paper (the internet is packed with \u2018how to\u2019 guides), pom poms look fantastic hanging above your tables, outdoors or from the beams of your marquee, so rustle up style for pence rather than pounds.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t feel that you have to buy everything that has the word \u2018wedding\u2019 next to it. Be selective about what you buy and your wedding will look spectacular.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re at the age where all your friends and family seem to be getting engaged or married, take their advice! Ask them about the best value-for-money suppliers they\u2019ve dealt with.<\/p>\n Is there a Blue Cross sale on next weekend? What about the January sales? Can you get a discount at the National Wedding Show? Hold fire on buying finishing touches until the end of season sales.<\/p>\n One of the biggest costs per head is the guest list. Don\u2019t be afraid to cut distant family members and friends that come in and out of your life. It\u2019s the toughest job, but it will save you the most money in the long run.<\/p>\n From a Monday or Tuesday through to Friday 13th, if it isn\u2019t on a regular weekend, it will inevitably be cheaper. Don\u2019t be afraid to negotiate when booking your venue \u2013 they\u2019ll probably bite your hand off!<\/p>\n You may think you\u2019re getting a bargain, but often the price you see in front of you is minus tax. When this gets added in, it can all seem a lot more expensive. Make sure you check what\u2019s included in the price before you set your heart on anything.<\/p>\n There are literally thousands of wedding-related competitions out there, so enter them all! You never know, you may land your dream honeymoon, decorations or accessories without spending a penny!<\/p>\n Entertaining children at a wedding is an added expense you could do without. Why not set up treasure hunt for them? It\u2019ll keep them occupied for hours!<\/p>\n There\u2019s no point in buying those shoes just because your mum thinks they\u2019re perfect for you. Spend your budget how you see fit, and don\u2019t waste it!<\/p>\n You should always protect yourself when buying things for your wedding. Use a credit card with 0% APR or maybe choose a bank that gives you cash back the more you spend.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A is for Asking for help Clever couples know that accepting the help of loved ones will save them a heap of cash. From making your wedding cake to helping put together the favours, use your friends\u2019 and family\u2019s skills. … Continue reading C is for Cocktails<\/h2>\n
D is for DIY<\/h2>\n
E is for Excel<\/h2>\n
F is for Flog it!<\/h2>\n
G is for Games<\/h2>\n
H is for Honeymoon research<\/h2>\n
I is for Imagination<\/h2>\n
J is for Join our forum<\/h2>\n
K is for Keep to the plan<\/h2>\n
L is for lists<\/h2>\n
M is for Music<\/h2>\n
N is for Nature<\/h2>\n
O is for Old treasures<\/h2>\n
P is for Pom Poms<\/h2>\n
Q is for Quality not Quantity not quantity<\/h2>\n
R is for Recommendations<\/h2>\n
S is for Savvy shopping<\/h2>\n
T is for Tough love<\/h2>\n
U is for Unpopular dates<\/h2>\n
V is for VAT<\/h2>\n
W is for Win<\/h2>\n
X is for X marks the spot<\/h2>\n
Y is for Your day, your way<\/h2>\n
Z is for Zero percent<\/h2>\n