Planning a wedding on a budget? Although the term ‘budget wedding’ may give you shudders, it really is possible to have a beautiful wedding whilst keeping the costs down. Here’s some handy tips I’ve learnt through my years in the wedding industry, enjoy!
Pretty Paper Décor
Initially, paper party decorations for a wedding might sound a little... cheap. However, that's the beauty of them and if utilized correctly they can create really stunning wedding décor. Party Pieces have a whole host of paper supplies including pom poms, pinwheels, fans and honeycombs.
DIY Floral Decorations
I think I should start with a little disclaimer - floristry is an art and there’s no way to replicate the beautiful arrangements florists create for your big day, unless of course you are indeed a florist too.
Saying this, it’s possible to complement your wedding flowers with DIY décor around your wedding venue. Single stems of bold blooms, like gerbera, look so effective placed in old jam jars or glass milk bottles. I’ve also witnessed a bridesmaid divvying up a shop bought meadow flower arrangement between glass Kilner jars for added decoration; they were perfect for a summer wedding!
Saying this, it’s possible to complement your wedding flowers with DIY décor around your wedding venue. Single stems of bold blooms, like gerbera, look so effective placed in old jam jars or glass milk bottles. I’ve also witnessed a bridesmaid divvying up a shop bought meadow flower arrangement between glass Kilner jars for added decoration; they were perfect for a summer wedding!
Hidden Talents
We all know someone with a hidden talent; sometimes those hidden talents come in very handy when you’re tying the knot. I’ve witnessed many couples enlisting the help of loved ones for their big day; from baking their dream cake to hand sewing bunting.
Don’t feel awkward – use these people! They’ll most likely be chuffed to be asked and will love to be part of your big day. I, myself was asked to illustrate some table numbers for my boyfriend’s brother & his fiancée. It was amazing seeing them out on the tables on their big day, plus the compliments were so lovely!
Helpful talents could include being a whizz at baking, sewing, illustration, design, crafts, floristry, DJ-ing, singing and so much more.
Don’t feel awkward – use these people! They’ll most likely be chuffed to be asked and will love to be part of your big day. I, myself was asked to illustrate some table numbers for my boyfriend’s brother & his fiancée. It was amazing seeing them out on the tables on their big day, plus the compliments were so lovely!
Helpful talents could include being a whizz at baking, sewing, illustration, design, crafts, floristry, DJ-ing, singing and so much more.
Re-cycle and Up-cycle!
Save money and save the planet! There’s a real trend for upcycled items at the moment, I think you can find a tutorial for turning a wooden pallet into almost anything these days. Upcycle and recycle where you can on your wedding day and please NEVER buy glass jars. All you need to do is stop putting your glass jars in recycling for a while and if you need more – get your family members to do the same! Give them a clean then pretty them up with all sorts of crafty bits, Etsy is great for things like jute string, ribbon and wooden hearts.
Use your local buy and sell pages on Facebook. I’ve seen plenty of props like vintage suitcases and apple crates that would be ideal for a rustic barn wedding. Alternatively a lot of companies like Pretty Pieces Perfect Days and Lulabee, hire out items which is much more sensible then buying them yourself!
Use your local buy and sell pages on Facebook. I’ve seen plenty of props like vintage suitcases and apple crates that would be ideal for a rustic barn wedding. Alternatively a lot of companies like Pretty Pieces Perfect Days and Lulabee, hire out items which is much more sensible then buying them yourself!
Cake for Dessert!
One of the hardest parts of your wedding day will be kissing goodbye to your beautiful (very expensive) wedding cake as it gets massacred and shoved in boxes for your guests to take home. I personally think you should see your guests enjoying the cake. Ditch the dessert and have your wedding cake instead, it’s cost effective and you’ll probably end up with a much larger portion of cake than you would dessert!
Another way to save money with your wedding cake is to get naked… Keep your clothes on, I’m talking about the on-trend wedding cake. They involve layers of sponge with plenty of filling, fruit, flowers and sometimes have a very thin layer of buttercream surrounding the edges (semi-naked). They’re probably my favourite type of wedding cake. You’re not paying for a fancy royal icing exterior and I personally prefer them aesthetically.
Another way to save money with your wedding cake is to get naked… Keep your clothes on, I’m talking about the on-trend wedding cake. They involve layers of sponge with plenty of filling, fruit, flowers and sometimes have a very thin layer of buttercream surrounding the edges (semi-naked). They’re probably my favourite type of wedding cake. You’re not paying for a fancy royal icing exterior and I personally prefer them aesthetically.
A Cheesy Wedding Cake
It gets to the evening, your guests are probably feeling a little tipsy and they’ve probably danced off their fullness from the wedding breakfast. Cue the controversial cheese cake! If you don’t have a sweet tooth, why not have a cheese ‘cake’ instead of a traditional wedding cake? They look pretty spectacular, you can usually customise them with your favourite cheeses, and they make great evening food when teamed up with some artisan crackers and chutney!
DIY Photobooth
Who doesn’t love a photo booth? They’re so much fun, especially when you get a strip of those cute mini photos to take home as a memento. The only downside is they can be a little pricey and might not seem like an essential if you’re working with a tight budget. The upside is they’re really easy to DIY.
All you need is a polaroid camera, some photo booth props and a large decorative frame. Simply designate a small portion of your venue, set the props and frame out then include some instructions on a blackboard. The great thing with a polaroid camera is that you can use photos as decoration or wedding favours on the day!
All you need is a polaroid camera, some photo booth props and a large decorative frame. Simply designate a small portion of your venue, set the props and frame out then include some instructions on a blackboard. The great thing with a polaroid camera is that you can use photos as decoration or wedding favours on the day!
Homemade Wedding Favours
Wedding favours are a sneaky one – they seem cheap per item but when you add it all up you realise you’ve spent a fortune on something your guests may not even use! When working with wedding caterers, The Wild Fork, we were always sad to see heaps of unclaimed favours in the middle of tables.
Handmade wedding favours are a great way to tackle this; they’re sentimental and often edible so guests are much less likely to forget them after a few too many bubbles. Things like jam, chutney, alcohol and wine glass charms are all really popular.
Handmade wedding favours are a great way to tackle this; they’re sentimental and often edible so guests are much less likely to forget them after a few too many bubbles. Things like jam, chutney, alcohol and wine glass charms are all really popular.
Pass the Prosecco!
First up, a little differentiation….When it comes to comparing champagne and prosecco, the key difference is the regions from which they originate. Champagne is made in the Champagne region of France and Prosecco is from the Veneto region of Italy. They’re also made from different grapes and sometimes made in different ways. Let’s skip to the most important part – both make an amazing celebratory drink.
So why is Prosecco cheaper than Champagne? Well, technically Champagne is often more expensive to make, however, it’s mainly down to perception. We’re all used to Champagne being a region for the luxury drink when in fact Prosecco can be just as favourable. I feel Gretchen’s Mean Girls outburst is quite apt for this, “What's so great about Caesar? Hm? Brutus is just as cute as Caesar. Brutus is just as smart as Caesar. People totally like Brutus just as much as they like Caesar. And when did it become okay for one person to be the boss of everybody, huh?” Moral of the story - drink more prosecco.
So why is Prosecco cheaper than Champagne? Well, technically Champagne is often more expensive to make, however, it’s mainly down to perception. We’re all used to Champagne being a region for the luxury drink when in fact Prosecco can be just as favourable. I feel Gretchen’s Mean Girls outburst is quite apt for this, “What's so great about Caesar? Hm? Brutus is just as cute as Caesar. Brutus is just as smart as Caesar. People totally like Brutus just as much as they like Caesar. And when did it become okay for one person to be the boss of everybody, huh?” Moral of the story - drink more prosecco.
Clever Catering
If a three course meal with canapés isn’t an essential for you (unfortunately would be for me!) then it’s easy to cut costs with your catering.
If it’s summer, consider a BBQ; don’t worry it’ll be far from your ‘Village Fete’ style bangers in a roll with burgers and that funky looking plastic cheese. Wedding caterers have a wonderful way of making barbecues pretty special with exciting meat options and luxury salads to accompany.
In other news buffets are back with a lot more class, who knew! Say goodbye to your 70s vol au vents and pasta salads, and say hello to a cost effective wedding breakfast.
If it’s summer, consider a BBQ; don’t worry it’ll be far from your ‘Village Fete’ style bangers in a roll with burgers and that funky looking plastic cheese. Wedding caterers have a wonderful way of making barbecues pretty special with exciting meat options and luxury salads to accompany.
In other news buffets are back with a lot more class, who knew! Say goodbye to your 70s vol au vents and pasta salads, and say hello to a cost effective wedding breakfast.
That concludes my favourite ideas for creating a beautiful wedding day on a budget. If you have any more ideas we’d love to hear from you, please share your comments below!