Getting married in 7 mths, been together 5 mths!

**Daisy**_3

Can I join your wedding board please?

Im a long time poster on MSE but have had to change my user name as ex is a member and checks all my posts...

Anyway. I met OH 5 months ago and we plan to marry in New Year (yes I know its quick but is sooo right)

I imagine it will be Easter time.

Now the problem it will have to be done on a very very low MSE budget!! but as long as we have a fab day thats all that matters.

It will be a reg office do. I have been married before it is his 1st marriage. Im 43 and 2 grown up kids 23 and 22.

As its OH first time we want a 'proper' wedding so to speak ie all his friends our friends and family. All on a budget of about£500!!

Well maybe a bit more lol but we want a wonderful fun day on a budget so will keep you posted!

Daisy

Minimoo24

welcome and good luck! You can do it if you buget well x

White_Sapphire

Welcome to the weddings & anniversaries board Daisy! There is loads of helpful information on here, so have a read through of some of the stickies threads, then join the thread for your month when you have decided on a date.

There are people on here who have done everything for a little over £1k, but it will depend on the number of guests to a certain extent. If you or a friend or relative are lucky enough to live in a big house with a very large garden you might be able to have the reception there. You could even ask everyone to bring a dish to share which would cut down on one of the major costs!

TBH, I think that £500 will turn out to be too low if you want family and friends to see you get married - registrar's and church fees tend to run into the hundreds. Then there's the booze...

Best of luck, let us know how your planning goes and if you need any help.

Oh, and congratulations!

candygirl

Congrats hun.£500 seems very low, but you can still have a wedding on a budget by sourcing stuff online, and asking family and friends for help eg photos, favours etc:D:D

wanchai_2

First, congratulations!!!!!!!

How much are the absolute essentials at fixed prices e.g. licence, registry fee etc? Once those are accounted for, you can be as frugal as you like! £500 does seem very low, but you may be surprised at what you can achieve!

Email/handmade invitations
eBay/charity shops for a dress etc
Wear shoes and jewellery that you already own
OH could wear a suit that he owns
Ask for help with catering
Get friends to take photos/videos
Venue - can you have it at home or a friend's house?
Bring a bottle? If it's at home this won't be a problem
Is anyone musical, could they play for your guests?
DJ - perhaps someone has speakers that they could set up
Don't bother with favours!!


Just a few ideas - I will follow your thread with interest! xxx

RainbowDrops

As others have said, £500 will only just cover the basic fees for giving notice & paying a registrar.
So I reckon there's two options - no frills registry office ceremony then go to a pub / restaurant & ask guests to pay.
Or hold off getting married so soon so you can save a little more & get one of those £1,000 hotel packages.

It depends what's more important - being married or being able to put on a party.

Dekazer

Congrats

As others have said, there are many ways to keep costs low. There are a few things that will be fixed. First, you need to check the Registrar fees in the Local Authority where you plan to marry. You also need to pay to give notice, and for certificates. Fees vary, so you should get in touch with your chosen registry office ASAP. It's also worth getting dates booked, as they do get booked up.

You can find more details here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Registeringlifeevents/Marriagesandcivilpartnerships/DG_175715 and on your local council website.

Getting married on a weekday does tend to be cheaper.

This place is a mine of information on all things MSE. I just got 200 invitation postcards printed and delivered for a tenner, which I was well chuffed with - I found out about Vistaprint here.. There are loads of similar bargains to be had.

In terms of budgeting, we found it most helpful to list things in order of preference, and then to shop around for the cheapest deals. Obviously the legal fees came top, followed (for us) by a venue that we could self-cater, free booze for all our guests and a meal in our favourite restaurant. Other things that came lower down (e.g. photographer) have been compromised. You might find that, when you look at your 'must-haves', your budget may want to increase, so you may wish to delay a bit.

We have stretched our payment time by using a 0% on purchases credit card (sourced here, of course). We are in a position to pay this off by the end of the offer period.

Hope that helps, enjoy the planning!

McKneff

Start getting things together now.

£1 shop sells table confetti, place cards, all sorts of wedding paraphanalia, buying a couple of things once a week, you wont miss the money if its done with your weekly shop.

When it get close to spending your £500 you'll have a lot less to buy so it will go a lot further.

wanchai_2

Good thinking McKneff!

The OP may not actually need confetti, place cards etc though! Since she is on such a tight budget. But £ shops are good for lots of stuff if there is anything that is really needed e.g. invitations etc.

Every pound saved helps!

wanchai_2

Dekazer - I totally agree about prioritising. We are spending quite a lot on the reception (but bringing our own wine for the meal). We also want a REALLY good photographer. We are willing to compromise/spend less on *everything* else, including my dress, OH's suit, the attendants' outfits, flowers, rings, stationery etc etc. We're getting favours from friends - the cake, cars and church singing. Our band is very reasonable. We're not having favours. It can be done! You just need to prioritise and focus your resources on the most important stuff! £20 saved on one thing can be spent on something else.

It is forcing us to be very MSE and creative but that's part of the fun! Also, it is a giving me a massive incentive to stay out of the shops for the next ten months lol! It's the ultimate Demotivator!

LEJC

after you spend the initial sum for the marriage fees at the registry office or wherever you choose to marry....the rest is trimmings to the day...

£500 should cover the fees so it is perfectly possible to marry for that amount...how you choose to spend the remainder is personal preference...

list the things that are of importance to you in order of preference and you will see how ar the £500 will stretch....

Best of luck...you really dont need to have an expensive wedding to have the perfect day....