Skip to main content
Guests throwing confetti over a bride and groom on their wedding day at Sandy Cove Hotel

10 foolproof ways to save money on your wedding

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. It’s a day to celebrate your love and commitment with family and friends. But it can also be a costly day.

According to a 2021 survey of 2,800 couples by Hitched, the average cost of a wedding in the United Kingdom is £31,974. And that doesn’t include the honeymoon! If you’re planning a wedding on a budget, don’t despair. There are plenty of ways to save money and still have the wedding of your dreams.

Creative ideas to reduce the cost of your wedding

A bride and groom standing on the platform overlooking the bay on their Wedding day at Sandy Cove Hotel's The Venue

Make a plan & have realistic expectations

When looking to reduce costs for a wedding, the first step is to create a savings plan and set realistic goals. By setting achievable monthly goals, you can better prepare yourself for unexpected costs that may arise during the months before the event.

Additionally, having flexible budgeting habits will help you manage your finances more efficiently and effectively throughout the entire process.

A bride and groom overlooking Broadsands beach and the bay after their wedding at Sandy Cove Hotel

Think carefully about your wedding date

You must give yourselves enough time when choosing a wedding date to plan the event properly and have sufficient time to find the best vendors and venues, as well as determine the optimal budget and timeline.

Furthermore, think about the timing of your wedding. Does it have to be a Saturday in the height of summer? Or, could you save money by having a mid-week or winter wedding?

The inside of The Venue at Sandy Cove Hotel with tables and chairs ready for a wedding reception

Opt for just one venue for both ceremony and reception

Having both the ceremony and reception in one venue is a great idea. Not only can it reduce the cost of venue hire, but it can also reduce the amount of time between events, making it more convenient for guests.

Additionally, all-in-one wedding venues provide a great option as they can accommodate the ceremony, reception and any photoshoots all at once. This further reduces costs as it eliminates the need to transport guests from one location to another.

A couple walking on Broadsands beach near Sandy Cove Hotel after their wedding ceremony

Choose a naturally pretty venue & embrace DIY projects

Choosing a venue with beautiful natural elements and embracing DIY projects could be an effective way to save money on a wedding.

Utilising a venue that already has character can help reduce costs in terms of decorations or added features, as well as save time when prepping the event space. Taking advantage of creative DIY projects can also help cut back on expenses while allowing couples to design their own personal touches for the special day.

A bride and groom cutting the cake at their wedding at The Venue, Sandy Cove Hotel

Speak to multiple suppliers

Getting quotes from multiple suppliers can help reduce costs for a wedding by allowing couples to compare prices and get the best deal for their budget. This can also allow couples to negotiate prices, use cash as payment, or take advantage of seasonal discounts.

Invitations and decorations for a winter wedding at The Venue, Sandy Cove Hotel

Don't be afraid to negotiate & order all your stationery from one supplier

Ordering stationery and menus from one supplier can help to reduce the cost of a wedding significantly. By planning ahead and selecting a single supplier, couples can take advantage of bulk discounts or special offers that may be available.

Additionally, consolidating orders with one vendor simplifies the coordination process, making it easier to manage costs and time effectively.

A bar tender at Sandy Cove Hotel making colourful cocktails at the bar

Hold your ceremony later in the day & make cocktail hour just an hour

Holding a later ceremony can offer numerous cost-saving benefits, such as decreased food and drink costs and reduced entertainment needs.

A wedding cake in the window of The Venue, Sandy Cove Hotel

Make use of your guests' talents

Using one’s guests’ talents instead of wedding gifts can be a great way to cut costs. Do you have a cousin who is also a professional photographer or an aunt who makes wedding cakes?

A bride and groom hugging outside The Venue at Sandy Cove Hotel at the end of their wedding day

Set up a wedding website instead of sending inserts

Setting up a wedding website is more cost-effective than sending out traditional wedding inserts. This is because it saves money on printing costs, RSVP cards, and stamps.

Additionally, having a website provides all the details about the day in one place for guests to access easily.

Guests and bridesmaids outside The Venue at Sandy Cove

Embrace the 'something borrowed' part of the tradition & ask your bridesmaids to wear their own bridesmaid dresses

Have you thought about asking bridesmaids to wear their own bridesmaids’ dresses? As well as reducing costs, it can help lessen the bride’s stress and show that the bride cares about her bridesmaids.

Wearing different dresses also allows for freedom for each of them to pick a dress that fits their budget and suits their body shape, which can help make them feel more confident on the day.

We hope this guide has given you some ideas on how to make your wedding budget stretch a little further. We have a number of different wedding packages to suit every budget. For our latest menus, packages and rates download our wedding brochure or email us: [email protected]