weddings on a 3k budget...ideas??

missknixon

We spent under £4000. We did a lot ourselves and people have really commented on how amazing it was - apparently it looked very expensive! We booked our venue in July for last weekend and got a really good deal as they normally shut early halloween weekend - it was also a late booking so people were happy to have something for the weekend, booking things late might be an idea, as is marrying out of the popular wedding season.

Kittendreich

Get the yellow pages out (the paper version) and google things from there. Our venue hadn't come up on any google searches, but was in the yellow pages and was absolutely perfect. We were looking for a hotel, so I'm not sure how good it woudl be for village halls etc

minerva_windsong

My suggestions:

- Have the ceremony later in the day, therefore you only need to feed everyone once.
- Have a buffet rather than a sit down dinner.
- Get your dress/bridesmaids' dresses/groomsmen's suits from the high street. Monsoon, BHS and Debenhams all have bridal ranges and you can get a lovely dress for £200, and even Asda sell wedding dresses now.
- Make use of any talented friends or family you might have for cake making, photography, dress making, making invites etc. Asking local colleges is a good idea as well.
- eBay is your friend.
- If you can, have the ceremony and reception in the same place, therefore no need to hire a car.
- Sparkling wine rather than champagne.
- Ask people what song they'd like played at the disco and then programme an iPod with it rather than paying for a DJ.

The other things I would suggest would be to be ruthless about the guest list and attendants, but to me that would be a last resort and I'd try to save money in other ways first. If you're not bothered about inviting loads of people though it can cut costs dramatically.

VICSH

HI OP
Where is Sussex are you based I know the area well (where I am getting married) and can give you some pointers of places I have seen or researched!
Congratulations on weddings and baby!!!
Thanks
V

kazaroona

I'm based in west sussex- live in worthing- but I dont mind going somewhere out a bit in sussex from where we are, especially if we're all in one venue since we can just stay there...

Thanks so much for everyone's tips, I hadnt thought of most of those so I am defo giving it a shot. Prob after baby comes now as I am shattered and hoping it comes soon as am already 4 days overdue.... :mad:

kazaroona

Oh and thanks very much by the way!! x

curlylou1986

Hi kazaroona - hope baby comes soon!

we have a budget simular to yours too - was slightly more, but also due to a baby and bringing it forward 2 months have cut it down.
i def agree with the other ladies on here: Ebay is amazing, i have brought so much off of there, foam button holes (20 for £20.99) things for the tables, getting balloons etc from there too, just need to search and check all the prices against postage.

Vista also is amazing - can do so much, you should check out the post on here about ideas with things, we using business cards for our contact information to go in the invites etc, there are lots of things can do with there freebes and if you do it with enough time so the free offer is on and that you can also pay cheapest postage thats the best thing!

also i think maggie111 is right - if you follow everything traditional then it is slightly harder to get good prices.
We are having fish and chips (i know thats becoming slightly more commmon now though) but we didnt really want a roast, plus our venue is local rugby club so the fish and chips is perfect. they deliver and take away the rubbish: the van would be lovely but there extra costs with that, so for 60 people we can get fish and chips for £260, and thats if everyone was to have fish - the other options are slightly cheaper still. we also having a ice cream van for pudding - £120 for everyone to have an ice cream, that parts a secret though for the day
having the ceremony at local registry office, then to castle park to have our photos taken.
we dont live far from everything so wont be having a wedding car, plus with the venue there is no grand entrace for the car to sit out the front with!
Ask around as be surprised who people know that can get to help you out, and do as much as you can your self - even if you speak with florists or other invites your self, have a look to see the cost of doing it your self.

good luck with the baby - hope makes an appearence soon!!

frannyann

I got married two weeks ago in Tunbridge Wells, my day guests (30) had three course meal with Pimms, wine and Champers, Evening disco and buffet for an addtional 60 all came to £2k, with £400 for registrar, £500 for all outfits and shoes!
Don't think we look like we had a cheapy wedding;)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2812448

ETA, PM me if you want details of our venue!