Wedding budgeting and help on basics

digitalphase

Me and OH want to get married a.s.a.p, but whereas he is willing to just have the real basic 'Gretna Green' type service where you turn up, say your vows, then go away, I'd rather wait a little longer for something a bit more special.

What are the basic, basic costs? I.e. registry etc?

We don't want to get married in a church as neither of us is religious. So it would be either a registry office, or somewhere else suitably cheap.

So for basic wedding costs we need to think about:
1) Actual cost of getting married (£84?)
2) Dress (£40) Hair (£60)
3) Ring/s £100?
4) After event (will probably go back to ours for a small party). £100 for food/drink? Just close family and friends
5) Transport is sorted as OH's dad has a classic car I'm sure we could use and would add a little extra to the occasion.

Give notice before registering a marriage - £35
Register a marriage at a register office - £45
Cost of marriage certificate on the day - £4
(figures from DirectGov website, are these accurate?)
= £84

The reason being for cheapness, not just because this is MSE, is because we are just in the process of buying our first home so are pretty skint! However we want to both be equal on the property (I can't go on mortgage as a SAHM at the mo) and also mainly for our little boy. We'd both like the same surname for when he starts nursery and for his security/rights.
We'd like to get married on the cheap sooner and then have a bigger bash some time in the future to renew our vows.

I am thinking of a budget of £300/£400. This would take us a few months to save as got to buy stuff for new house and don't want to put wedding on credit! So looking at a wedding for maybe next year, but TBH I'd rather do it this year if possible. Although we only have 3 months left of this year and I don't know how booked up things are!

Thanks and sorry if it comes across as garbled. I will have a read of some other threads as well for inspiration.

digitalphase

Gosh I've just read the 'how much did you spend on your wedding' thread and had to double check I was on Money Saving Expert.... :rotfl:

kitschkitty

Giving notice is £35 each.
Prices fro the registrar/registry office vary depending on where you live, and what day you choose to get married, but just give them a quick phone call and they will let you know the cost.

Depending on how flexible you can be there should be some dates/slots left this year but booking at least 6 - 12 months in advance will normally give you a lot more choice.

YoungBaker

Lol digi I am sure you will be able to work something out on your budget. I think with the 3-400 figure you really would be looking at the bare minimum though ie. paying for the main legalities with absolutely no extras (what about flowers, outfits for OH, your little one, any other neices/nephews etc?).

It can be be done though definitely, especially if you are maybe looking just to have a small afterparty at home. You would need to consider hat you would be serving though - just tea and cake? or would you want a buffet, or more a proper sit down meal?

You definitely can do it, especially if you can call in any favours from people you know / friends of friends for discounts etc. but the main thing is working out exactly what you want your day to be like. If it is just the legality aspects and the basics then yeh you easily could do it as you suggest I think Good luck!

faithless

Have a look on your council's website or give the local registry office a call to check the prices - £45 I think is just the 10 minute in and out getting married part of the ceremony in a small office with room only for registrar, you + partner + 2 witnesses. If you want other guests there and a life ceremony with music and readings in the council office it's more expensive.

ellay864

As others have said, the fee for a registry office wedding will vary depending on the area you're in and also on the day you get married.
If you wanted a simple civil ceremony in some other premises you can probably add at least another couple of hundred pounds as it always costs more for the registrars to come out to another venue

74jax

digitalphase wrote: »

What are the basic, basic costs? I.e. registry etc?


So for basic wedding costs we need to think about:
1) Actual cost of getting married (£84?)
2) Dress (£40) Hair (£60)
3) Ring/s £100?
4) After event (will probably go back to ours for a small party). £100 for food/drink? Just close family and friends
5) Transport is sorted as OH's dad has a classic car I'm sure we could use and would add a little extra to the occasion.

Give notice before registering a marriage - £35
Register a marriage at a register office - £45
Cost of marriage certificate on the day - £4
(figures from DirectGov website, are these accurate?)
= £84

I would double check your registry office costs/giving notice etc.

Other things I would add would be if you plan on getting your nails done/hair cut/new make up etc.

Would you send out invites or just email/word of mouth? I know you said it would be a small number of people so you could do without (we are just emailing or asking in person to save costs)

Would you print any photos out? I know it doesn't cost to use a digital camera and put them on the computer but if you would like some printed out then factor in that cost.

You mention a new dress for you, would your OH get a new shirt/tie/undies etc?

It really doesn't cost a lot to have a marriage, it's the wedding part that can be costly, but as a wise person told me on here it's best to factor in EVERYTHING down to the cutting tool (if using) of the invites - yes that was you MrsD :rotfl: and also to consider the cost of extra beauty treatments before the wedding (idiophreak:j).

caz2003uk

Me and my H2B are trying to be as MSE as possible without missing out on lots, we are aiming for 1500 max! So far so good on that lol

I did the same when looking at costs, using directgov, we had a shock when we went to view the registry office and book! We have booked for a Friday and that's £194 for the ceremony! The giving notice is £35 each too!

It might be worth contacting your local registry office and asking them direct and then you have a real figure to go by good luck!

digitalphase

Thanks all!

I finally got through to the registry office today as they were busy/not answering phone all day previous. The lady was very nice and took the time to explain things.

I came away with a basic cost of £239 (£165 for room for 20 people inc. registrar fees, £4 each certificate required, £70 for registering notice of marriage).

So that then leaves a small budget for everything else I did remember however that I have a friend who is a hairdresser, so hopefully she will do my hair as a wedding present

I looked at prices of rings today in local jewellers and think we can get a basic band for £50 each. I haven't even got an engagement ring yet :rotfl: I opted for something else instead which you will laugh at if I told you :rotfl:

Make up and nails I'd do myself.

Dress, well, I guess it's gotta be cheap as possible but yet I still want a nice one so £40-ish budget. I have seen some places have sales on so will take a look around.
My OH has suit trousers (he doesn't like them so may buy himself some new ones) and can get a nice shirt and tie. Our little boy will be happy in similar outfit, and cheap as chips for him. Another £40 I suppose.

I am still stuck on what to do after the event. I am not too keen on 'going back to ours' as the house needs quite a lot of modernisation and I doubt we'll have made a good enough impact yet to warrant showing it off. However saying that, it would only be close family coming, so maybe it doesn't matter too much.

May look into costs of hiring a small venue/small disco...Finger buffet.Dunno, prices will no doubt sky rocket.

I think I have found something affordable, and then see there is a minimum guest quantity :rotfl: Oh dear! No wonder weddings break the bank!

So cost wise we're at £419.

Not thought about cake/flowers or anything yet, but will be happy holding a small posy during ceremony. M&S also do some nice cakes I believe.

We have a meeting to register the intention of marriage end of next month, aiming for a November wedding :cool:

faithless

digitalphase wrote: »

I looked at prices of rings today in local jewellers and think we can get a basic band for £50 each. I haven't even got an engagement ring yet :rotfl: I opted for something else instead which you will laugh at if I told you...

Ooh, tell us! Was it a new fridge, lol?!
You should be able to find rings slightly cheaper than that online - I remember other threads people were getting both bride and groom's for like £50 online.

I am still stuck on what to do after the event. I am not too keen on 'going back to ours' as the house needs quite a lot of modernisation and I doubt we'll have made a good enough impact yet to warrant showing it off. However saying that, it would only be close family coming, so maybe it doesn't matter too much.

May look into costs of hiring a small venue/small disco...Finger buffet.Dunno, prices will no doubt sky rocket.

I think I have found something affordable, and then see there is a minimum guest quantity :rotfl: Oh dear! No wonder weddings break the bank...

Have you got a local pub - I know some won't charge for exclusive use of an area or room if they're quiet, as people will buy drinks. I remember reading someone's reception was at their local pub, and catering was from the local fish &chippy. Though if your pub does food this might not work.

Not thought about cake/flowers or anything yet, but will be happy holding a small posy during ceremony. M&S also do some nice cakes I believe.

I saw a gorgeous bunch of flowers in Tesco the other day for £10, which I'd be happy to have as my bouquet/posy - creams and purples with lisianthus (which I love and want in my bouquet) in it. If you got some ribbon and cut the stems down I'm sure a bunch that sort of bunch from a supermarket could look good. I think there's videos on youtube that show you how to make your own. You could even use one of the flowers as a buttonhole for your groom.


If you've only got 20 guests then the wedding cakes would probably be way too big. The catalogue with the wedding cakes in is available from the food ordering point in the M&S foodhalls, bit I didn't think they were that cheap. Maybe a large cake would do (and be a lot cheaper). You could decorate it yourself, again there are guides online.

*miaomiao*

If it helps your budget and is something you are happy with, rings aren't required by law so you could skip them. We've decided that neither of us wants a ring as we aren't jewellery people anyways! Bit of a saving for us.