How to Save Money on Your Wedding: The Ultimate Cost-Cutting Guide

Whether you’ve recently started to plan your wedding or you’re right in the thick of it, you probably noticed something fairly quickly –  weddings are expensive. In 2023, the average cost of a wedding is £19,184, and that’s before you’ve even got to the honeymoon or considered the cost of the engagement ring. So if you’re trying to figure out how to plan your dream wedding and stay firmly within your budget, you’ve come to the right place.

In this post, we’re going to take a deep dive into how to save money on a wedding and offer you plenty of tips to make sure you don’t go over your wedding budget.

Before you start planning

Before we go over the many ways you can save money on your wedding, make sure you have a solid idea as to what you want to (realistically) spend. To give you a helping hand, you can use Bridebook’s useful wedding budget calculator.

Throwing a lavish and expensive wedding is a fabulous way to spend your big day, but it’s important not to get too carried away. Have a chat with your partner about what’s really important for both of you and create a list that categorises the must-haves and the nice-to-haves so you know what can be cut if you get a little too close to the top end of your budget.

Planning a wedding can be a stressful time, but it’s also a heck of a lot of fun. But, that stress – combined with spending a lot of money – can be tough. Remember to be open and honest with each other and try not to get your heart set on something before you’ve booked it. The last thing you want is to be disappointed if something doesn’t quite work out how you hoped.

What’s the average cost of a wedding in 2023?

As uncovered in our ultimate wedding budget breakdown, the average cost of a wedding in 2023 is £23,885, including the ring and honeymoon. When you remove the engagement ring and potential honeymoon from your budget, the average cost is £19,184, which is still a huge amount of money to spend.

It’s important to remember that this is just an average, and the actual cost of your wedding will depend on many factors, including the cost of the venue, your catering style and even how many tiers there are on your cake.

And of course, you don’t have to spend this amount, or anything close to it – couples have weddings that range from costing less than £1,000 to £100,000 or more. If you budget wisely, make some careful decisions and plan ahead, you can make significant savings while still ensuring you have your dream wedding.

What are the best tools for saving money on your wedding?

When the time comes to start planning your wedding in earnest, the excitement can take hold and before you know it you’re creating spreadsheets, browsing Instagram hashtags and Pinterest stores, and your Google search history is nothing but venues and flower shops. But before you dive into the deep end, why not consider a tool to help you save time, money and effort?

We recommend using Bridebook’s state-of-the-art wedding budget tool to keep track of your expenses and make sure everything is taken care of. We also have a wedding planning app so you don’t have to keep a stack of notebooks with you or carry your laptop around when you meet vendors – you’ll have everything you need right there on your phone.

Can you save money on your wedding by inviting fewer guests?

When you’re getting married, we understand that it’s a big deal and you’ll probably want to invite every family member, friend, colleague and acquaintance you have. However, having a set number of guests will ensure you keep the guest list limited, which will save you on the venue, catering and invitation costs. It may be tempting to invite everyone you know to come and celebrate with you, but doing so will increase the cost of your wedding and could push it beyond your budget.

To put it into perspective, the average couple spends around £200 per guest – that means, if you’re ruthless with your guest list and invite 100 guests instead of 150, you’ll save over £10,000. If you’re not prepared to make cuts quite that drastic, even just cutting back your guest list by five could save you around £1,000.

Is it cheaper to have a twilight wedding?

A twilight wedding is a wedding that starts later in the day and is a great way to lower the cost of your wedding. It not only means you’re using your venue for a shorter amount of time, but you also bypass the expensive wedding breakfast and you pay vendors and staff for fewer hours as well.

For example, Friern Manor Country House Hotel offers a twilight wedding package starting at £3,500, compared to £7,995 for a traditional wedding – that’s half the price! That means you can have all the celebrations of every other wedding, only condensed into a shorter amount of time. It’s the perfect way to make massive savings on your wedding if you’re happy to have the ceremony take place later in the day.

The expert wedding budget video course: DIYs and money-saving tips

If you’re planning a wedding on a budget or just looking to save a bit of cash, knowing how to break down your budget will be one of the most important parts of your overall wedding planning, but how to stick to it? In this video course, Bridebook founder (and qualified wedding planner) Hamish Shephard explains how to plan a wedding on a budget, sharing his expert money-saving tips on everything from your wedding venue to your catering and more. 

How can you save money on a wedding venue?

The average cost of a wedding venue in the UK is around £7,500 – £8,000 and is almost half the overall budget for the typical wedding.

If you haven’t set the date yet, you can find huge savings by avoiding the busy seasons, certain days of the week and popular locations. So, if you’re happy not having a Saturday wedding in the middle of summer, slap bang in the middle of London, you could save thousands. For example:

• You can save up to £1,679 by avoiding a Saturday wedding. You’ll save on almost every wedding supplier by joining the 50% of couples who hold their big day on any day other than a Saturday, which is the most popular day to get married. To maximise your savings, the cheapest day to get married is a Tuesday. Suppliers are usually happy to offer reduced rates on days that otherwise wouldn’t be booked.

• Save up to £7,344 by avoiding London. A London wedding is more expensive than a wedding anywhere else in the UK. So, like other savvy couples, why not consider having your wedding in t’north? Plus, not only is a wedding away from your hometown a great way to save money, it increases the feeling of magic, mystery and adventure.

• Save up to £1,571 by having a winter wedding. Try to avoid peak wedding season, which is between June and September, when costs are the highest. February is generally the cheapest month for a wedding, so if you don’t mind it being cold outside it could be a great choice. And on the off-chance there’s frost or snow, it’ll give you the opportunity to take unique wedding photos.

• Save up to £905 by choosing an all-in-one venue that includes in-house food and drink. You can save a lot save by booking an all-in-one wedding venue that includes food and drink versus one that offers separate venue hire and catering options. Some of our most popular all-in-one venues include The Wasing Park in Reading, Tunnels Beaches in Devon, and Blakelands Country House & Barns in Bobbington. 

It’s also worth bearing in mind that many vendors offer discounts and special ‘late availability’ packages in off-peak wedding seasons or to fill a space left by a cancellation. A great example is Holdsworth House Hotel, an idyllic wedding venue with 32 bedrooms, charming courtyards and enchanting gardens. They frequently have a range of deals and offers that make this fabulous venue a far more affordable option if you’re happy with a bit of last-minute planning and organising.

For more money-saving ideas, check out our blog post on how to save money on your wedding venue.

How can you save money on your wedding catering?

If there’s one thing people remember about weddings, it’s the quality (and quantity) of the food. Whether you go for a four-course breakfast or an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring around-the-world cuisine, food is guaranteed to excite your guests. For that reason, you won’t want to cut corners when it comes to your food, but there are still some creative ways to save money while not compromising on quality. But, with couples spending around £5,000 on wedding catering, it can account for around a quarter of your entire wedding budget.

As we’ve already highlighted, by cutting the number of guests you invite, you can slash these costs thanks to there being fewer bellies to fill. Your friend’s boyfriend of two months? Sure, you like them, but do you like them enough to pay £62 per head for them to eat a three-course meal? Cutting out a table of eight will save an average of £493 on food and drink (as well as saving you in table numbers and stationery). not to mention it gives you the ability to choose a smaller, more affordable venue.

If you’re keen on having a lot of people there, why not invite them to the evening reception? That way, no one gets offended about not being invited and you save money by not having to feed as many guests at the wedding breakfast. Alternatively, why not skip the expensive wedding breakfast altogether and have a breakfast buffet instead? A buffet drastically reduces costs by only requiring limited staff, plus it offers guests a wider choice.

For more information check out our post on how to save money on wedding catering.

How can you save money on wedding alcohol?

Many people enjoy a drink or two at a wedding, and the most obvious way to save money is by not offering an open bar. Save up to £2,166 by offering a paid bar, which requires your guests to pay for their drinks themselves (and stops everyone from accidentally over-indulging). Plus, your guests won’t expect an open bar, with two out of three couples opting to let their guests pay for their own drinks.

Another way to save money is by choosing a more affordable fizz for the toasts. Champagne may be a luxurious choice, but cheaper alternatives like prosecco, sparkling wine or Cava will still go down just as well.

You may also be able to hire your own mobile bar instead of going with what the venue offers. One of our vendors, Near and Far Mobile Bar Ltd, is an excellent option as they set up their mobile bar at the venue, provide staff and bartending service, and offer pre-wedding consultation. Whoever you hire, just make sure they have a license.

Or, you could choose to provide your own bubbly – just bear in mind that the venue may charge a corkage fee, which can sometimes be more expensive than going with what the venue offers.

Check out our post on how to save money on wedding alcohol for more money-saving tips.

How can you save money on wedding photography?

A wedding photographer is a non-negotiable for many couples (9 out of 10 couples choose to hire one) and with the average cost being around £1,300 – £1,500, finding ways to save money on a photographer is always a huge bonus.

Below are just a few tips for helping strip those costs right back, while still ensuring you get wonderful professional photographs.

• Consider an express package. Instead of having the photographer spend the whole day with you, ask if they offer two or three-hour packages, where they come and take shots of the venue, the bridal party and your close friends and family. Opting for fewer hours is the best way to reduce costs, but does mean forgoing pictures of you cutting the cake and your first dance at the evening reception. Some photographers also provide a second camera person and opting out of this service can significantly lower the cost.

• Hire a local photographer. Local photographers will charge you far less than those that have to travel far and will charge additional fees. Here at Bridebook, we have a huge range of fantastic photographers so you’re sure to find one that operates where you’re hosting your wedding

• Go digital. If you forgo professionally printed albums like 87% of couples do, you could save up to £258. You can then use a photo-developing service, such as Snapfish, to print your photographs for a fraction of the cost. Just make sure your contract with the photographer includes the copyright of your photographs otherwise, it could be another unexpected expense later on.

How can you save money on wedding videography?

While the majority of couples choose a photographer, a third of couples choose to also hire a videographer to document their wedding and capture it in a much more candid and natural way, with the costs in line with that of a photographer. If capturing your wedding on video is important to you, there are plenty of ways to save money on a videographer too.

One way to save money on a wedding videographer is by hiring a professional who might not have as much experience as others. An up-and-coming videographer will have plenty of enthusiasm, but not quite as much of a portfolio. They may also not have a range of expensive kit, such as drones or 4K cameras, but they should still be able to produce a beautiful video for a far more reasonable cost.

You may also be able to save money by not asking for any complex editing or cinematography, which can add a lot of time to post-production.

How can you save money on your wedding flowers?

One of the expenses that will definitely take you by surprise is the cost of your wedding flowers, at an average cost of around £1,000. This is due to florists having to source different flowers, create elaborate displays and transport them to the venue, which are skills that require time, dedication and expertise. That being said, there are ways you can save money on wedding flowers that mean you can have a luscious wedding filled with flora while sticking within your budget.

Many wedding florists have years, if not decades, of experience providing flowers for hundreds of weddings. That means they’re equipped to work with any budget – including yours. Speak to your chosen florist, tell them what you’re looking for and trust them.

Here are a few money-saving tips for choosing wedding flowers:

• Go for flowers that are in season. While it may be tempting to ask for roses at your spring wedding, because they’re not in season they’ll cost a lot more than they would during late summer or autumn. Choosing flowers that are in season will help keep costs down.

• Choose a naturally beautiful venue. Go for an outdoor wedding with plenty of surrounding greenery, so you won’t have to pay for additional decor. Great outdoor venues include vineyards, gardens and parks.

• Opt for foliage over flowers. Greenery is super popular right now and many couples prefer to go with garlands to fill their tables or drape over the altar. The best part is, foliage is way more affordable.

• Stand out with non-floral decor. Instead of blooms, choose decor that matches your personality. Bookshelves, books, candles, figurines, clay ornaments, seashells, glass decor, flowing linens and ribbons are all excellent options.

How can you save money on wedding decor and a marquee?

Wedding decor peppers your personality across your big day, but depending on your theme the costs can add up. The average cost of wedding decor is £1,000, but there are plenty of ways to save money, such as by creating DIY decorations or sourcing them from specialist vendors. If you’re happy not to have personalised decorations, you can slash this amount to just a couple hundred pounds. Check out our blog post on how to save money on wedding decor for more inspiration.

Another costly expense is the cost of marquee hire, which averages around £1,300. This depends on the size and type of marquee you go for, so if you’re not set on this you can make significant savings by having a more basic marquee type. Another way to save money on a wedding marquee is by avoiding peak times, such as Saturdays or the summer months, as prices can be much higher during busy periods.

How can you save money on a wedding cake?

Your wedding cake is most likely the most expensive dessert you’ll ever buy, with the average cost at around £300 – £400. But, just like the cake itself, there are also layers to the cost. The larger your wedding party, the bigger the cake will be and the more expensive it will be too. If you do have a lot of guests, a cake with a less complex or intricate design will help keep costs down. You could also consider a dummy layer that replaces a layer of cake with polystyrene – not as tasty, but far cheaper. Or, save up to £184 by tasking a friend or family member with cake-making duties.

Generally, due to the skill and time needed to make them, fondant and sugar flowers will cost more, so save money by forgoing them where possible. A lovely and cost-effective option (not to mention fashionable) is a naked cake with fresh flowers or fruit. Not only does a naked cake require less buttercream and fewer time-consuming decorations, but it still looks and tastes wonderful.

Wedding cupcakes are another cute option and usually cost around £4 per guest; they’re easier to make and decorate, look great in pictures, and are often cheaper than a multi-tiered wedding cake.

For more tips, check out our post on how to save money on your wedding cake.

How can you save money on wedding entertainment and music?

Wedding entertainment and music are a key part of keeping your guests entertained throughout the day, but with the average cost of entertainment £800 and the average cost of music £1000, they’re not cheap.

For entertainment, it ultimately depends on your wedding theme. Consider creating a DIY kid’s table if children are coming to your wedding. A collection of colouring books, crayons and a box of Lego will save you £520 that you would have to spend on a kids’ entertainer.

When it comes to music, if you’re interested in a live act, a solo singer will be far more affordable than a band, purely because you’re paying one performer instead of four or five. Similarly, a DJ is often a more budget-friendly option and is almost guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. You can actually save up to £898 by choosing a DJ over a live band (though a band will offer that unique touch to your evening reception).

Check out our posts on how to save money on wedding entertainment and how to save money on wedding music for more money-saving tips.

How can you save money on your wedding dress?

Many couples spend between £1,000 – £2,000 on a wedding dress, and that’s before any accessories or alterations that complete the final ensemble. Making bridal shop appointments and trying on dresses is an exciting part of the planning process, but before you say yes, know there are plenty of tips for saving money on your wedding dress.

Firstly, you can reach out to bridalwear boutiques and ask if they have any upcoming sales or bridal dresses at discounted prices. There’s every chance that in a week or two, there may be a sale that slashes the price of many of their dresses, saving you a bundle. And, it may be an awkward conversation, but asking your bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses could save you as much as £303.

Most bridal shops sell sample dresses in styles they’re either discontinuing or no longer want to sell at discounted prices. These are dresses you and other brides-to-be try on in the shops, but if you can look past this you can make significant savings. You can also opt for high-fashion brands – ASOS, Chi Chi London and Little Mistress all sell wedding dresses at super affordable prices.

Only 5% of brides buy a second-hand dress, which means you won’t face much competition if you opt for something pre-loved. The amount of gorgeous second-hand dresses out there shouldn’t be underestimated. Also, you’ll save as much as £707 by finding a vintage or pre-loved dress.

How can you save money on wedding accessories and wedding shoes?

Wedding accessories help to bring your outfits together and complement the style and theme of your wedding. However, wedding accessories aren’t cheap, costing couples an average of £400.

To save money on a veil, why not have it as your ‘something borrowed’ and ask a family member if you could use theirs? You may also have plenty of other accessories at home already, including a belt, jewellery and a handbag, that may already work with your wedding outfit.

It’s also worth checking the depths of your shoe cupboard to see if you have some shoes that will work. Just remember to give them a polish to make them extra shiny. Check out our post to discover more ways to save money on wedding accessories.

How can you save money on wedding beauty?

The thought of walking down the aisle, all eyes on you, probably makes you feel rather nervous. But, when you look amazing it can help you feel confident enough to melt those nerves away. This is one of the reasons why hiring a professional to take care of your makeup and hair is important to so many brides – that and it’s one less thing for you to worry about on the day. But, with couples spending an average of £650 on hair and makeup (as well as other pre-wedding rituals) cutting costs where possible can be a lifesaver.

The most obvious way to significantly save money on wedding hair and makeup is by biting the bullet and doing it yourself, or asking your bridesmaids to take on the responsibility. This could save you up to £337! If this isn’t ideal, then you could consider hiring a makeup assistant, who won’t be as experienced as a makeup artist but will still have worked closely with one at plenty of weddings.

Another cost-saving option is to travel to your beautician on the morning of your wedding, rather than having them come to you. This could potentially halve the amount you spend on beauty.

How can you save money on a wedding suit?

While not as pricey as a wedding dress, couples spend an average of £300 on suits for their wedding. While a bespoke, tailored suit might be appealing, high-street retailers offer a great range of wedding suits for around £150. You may also find a great suit or tuxedo at a second-hand store or charity shop, but bear in mind you’ll likely need to have it altered to fit you perfectly.

Another option to slash the price of a suit is through renting, which can cost as little as £50. Plus, if all the groomsmen rent their tuxes or suits from the same place, there’s a good chance the groom’s suit will be free. And if this isn’t an advertised offer, it never hurts to ask.

For more tips and tricks, check out our post on saving money on wedding suits.

How can you save money on wedding rings?

Your wedding ring is the one piece of jewellery you’ll rarely take off, so will be with you through thick and thin – which is why couples spend an average of £1,000 on them. However, it is possible to save money on wedding rings by not relying on expensive metals such as gold and platinum, instead opting for something such as silver or titanium, which could lower the cost to as little as £50 per ring.

You may also want to seriously think about whether or not you want to choose wedding rings with set diamonds or other precious stones. While it may look incredible, it will be far more expensive than if you were to choose a plain band. Also, the thicker the band is, the more expensive it will be, so consider choosing a band that is on the thinner side to reduce the cost.

How can you save money on wedding invitations and stationery?

With Pinterest full of gorgeous and creative wedding invitation ideas, it’s hard to forgo a beautifully-designed invitation in favour of a less aesthetic one. But, you don’t necessarily have to do that to save money. Choose the invitation style of your dreams and go digital, and give your guests the option to RSVP digitally, too. This will massively reduce the cost of your wedding stationery, which couples spend an average of £414 on.

29% of couples don’t use paper stationery, such as menus and invitations, so why should you? Save money on wedding stationery by using sites like Paperless Post or design your own beautiful digital invitations to email to your guests and save up to £290. At the wedding, a decorative chalkboard can explain the menu and agenda for the day – beautiful AND cheaper than paper, which will only end up in the bin.

How can you save money on a registry office wedding?

A registry office wedding is already one of the most affordable choices when it comes to a wedding on a budget, costing an average of £1,342. However, it’s possible to save even more money on a registry office wedding if you opt for the basic ceremony, which means it could cost you as little as £57, not including the £35 it costs for each of you to give notice.

It can also be cheaper to get married during quieter periods, so make sure you avoid peak times such as Saturday afternoons or the height of summer.

How can you save money on a wedding planner?

Hiring a wedding planner may sound like another cost you could do without – after all, the average cost of a wedding planner is £1,891, or about 10% of your overall budget. But, wedding planners can help you save money by ensuring you stay within your budget. Not only that, but being in the industry means that wedding planners also have plenty of contacts and connections and could help you land the best deals, discounts and savings, and they’re expert negotiators as well.

One way to save money on a wedding planner is by hiring them to do a partial wedding planning service, which means they come in with a few months to go before your wedding to make sure everything is as it should be. It’s a far more affordable service, but not as thorough as if you were to hire them at the very start of your planning journey.

For more information check out our post on how to save money on a wedding planner.

How can you save money on a wedding celebrant?

A wedding celebrant is a wonderful way to personalise your ceremony, particularly if you’re not looking for a religious wedding or you’re a couple with mixed faiths. However, because a celebrant can’t legally marry you, there are further costs due to the need to also hire a registrar. And, with the average cost of a celebrant being £450, this can feel like a tough cost to justify.

To save money on a wedding celebrant, ask them if they’ll consider not meeting with you ahead of the wedding, and they’re happy to rely on a questionnaire to personalise your ceremony. Similarly, many celebrants will want to speak to your family and friends about your relationship, and cutting out this service may help to lower the price.

How can you save money on wedding favours?

Wedding favours might not be the biggest expense of your wedding (the average amount couples spend is £160), but here are some money-saving tips to help keep those costs low:

• Go down the DIY route. DIY favours can really reduce your costs, and if you’re happy with them not being super personalised you could get the cost down to less than £1 each.
• Consider cheap sweet treats. Edible favours are a more budget-friendly choice, such as retro sweets, biscuits, or even homemade jam.
• Keep packaging simple and practical. After all, it’s only going to be ripped open anyway.
• Donate to a charity. A charity donation made on behalf of your guests allows you to control how much you spend, plus it makes for a thoughtful and generous gesture.

How can you save money on wedding transport?

Depending on your plans, you could spend a good chunk of the first half of your wedding day being driven from A to B to C and back to B again. For that reason, wedding transport can be expensive, with couples spending an average of £500 on the vehicle and driver of their choice.

To save money on wedding transport, consider hiring a venue that allows you to have the ceremony, breakfast, reception and accommodation all in one, so you only need to pay for an hour or so of time. Or, if you know someone with a classic car or something with some oomph under the bonnet, call in a favour in exchange for an invite and a night of free drinks.

If you’re not precious about the type of vehicle, there are plenty of low-cost options available, including DS Executive Cars, Classic Bridal Cars and Kent and Coastal Wedding Cars, who all have costs as low as £100.

How can you save money on your honeymoon?

Your honeymoon is your chance to relax and unwind after a year or more of hectic wedding planning. The honeymoon is non-negotiable for many couples and is one of the biggest splurges, costing an average of £4,200.

It can be tempting to book your honeymoon early to help you budget, but if you’re flexible with where you’re happy to go, you could grab a bargain by booking a last-minute deal a week or two before your wedding.

But if you have your sights set on somewhere in particular, reduce costs by travelling on off-peak days, with Wednesdays and Thursdays usually being the cheapest for international flights. It also goes without saying that during busier times, such as school holidays or the summer months, it’s often expensive to travel. If your wedding is booked during these times, why not postpone your honeymoon just a couple of weeks and save money by travelling off-peak?

For more tips, check out our post on how to save money on your honeymoon.

How can you save money on wedding insurance?

Wedding insurance might feel like an unnecessary expense, costing around £30 – £100 for a policy, but it can save you thousands down the line in the unlikely event something goes wrong.

But, you can save money on your wedding insurance by only choosing a basic policy, such as a policy that doesn’t include public liability. If you forgo a marquee, it also means forgoing the need for a marquee insurance extension to your policy, bringing the cost right down.

Despite being a specialist type of insurance, comparison sites such as Money Supermarket enable you to compare quotes from various providers so you can secure the best policy. Just double-check that your chosen insurer includes everything you need and provides you with the right level of coverage.

How can you save money on wedding gifts?

Spending the ‘right’ amount of money on a wedding gift is something that plagues the mind of many wedding guests, but the cost of a wedding gift can vary based on several factors, including your relationship with the couple and whether or not you’re in a couple yourself.

But, there are ways to save money on a wedding gift. Why not club together with other guests, turning what would be several smaller gifts into a single larger one?

If the couple has a gift registry it should include gift suggestions to suit a range of budgets. Don’t buy your gift from the first retailer you find it in – if you shop around you might be able to find a bargain, or at the very least something very similar with a far more affordable price tag.

Plan your wedding with Bridebook and save money and time!

There you have our top tips to help you save money on your wedding. For more information, check out our individual savings pages for even more ways to cut down your spending, while still making sure your wedding is everything you dreamed of.

Here at Bridebook, we have thousands of wedding suppliers and vendors to suit any budget. Sign up today and start planning your dream wedding!

Browse other similar articles…

• The Ultimate Wedding Budget Breakdown
• How Much Does a Wedding Cost? The 2023 UK Average
• Introduction: Your Wedding Budget
• Hidden Wedding Costs Every Couple Needs To Know About 
• Wedding Etiquette: Who (Traditionally) Pays For What?

Happy Planning!