How did you save?

emma_b_4

didnt have welcome drinks, found people didnt like them anyway when we were at weddings, so just told ppl bar was open and they served themselves! didnt think that was tight as the were getting the meal and drinkins with meal. we only had 2/3 bottles wine on each table, again found people went to bar.
had cava for toast not champers
didnt invite cousins to day do just close family ie upto auntie and uncles.
accepeted offers of help from everyone that offered!

liney

We had 40 people to out sit down meal and actual wedding, which was close family upto Aunties and Uncles,and very close friends. Everyone else, which was about 150 in total came to the night time party which began at 7.30pm and had a hot buffet.

We found that the Wedding Breakfast with drinks package was the expensive bit, being £30 odd a head, but the buffet was about £8 if i remember correctly. This was at a well know hotel chain.

I would work out what you can afford to save, deduct 20% and have that as your budget. If it is nowhere near enough then i would postpone the wedding; starting off married life in debt for a posh party is something i personally would never do. However, as it only only supposed to happen , once, i would make sure i had the day i wanted even if it ment waiting longer.

Your family may offer to help you finanacially, but dont count on it as you might end up disapointed.

Congratulations)

thriftlady_2

We saved a fortune by

1) getting married in a register office.
2) my mum buying me a dress from Monsoon (that I could wear after).
3) only asking parents, siblings and small nephew.
4) having our 'reception' at a pub -just a nice meal.
5) not going on a honeymoon.
6) not having an engagement ring.
7) not having bridesmaids.

Obviously most people don't want a downsized wedding like ours. But I feel it's our marriage (which is ongoing) that is important and not one single day:)

chergar

I would realistically look at what you want your wedding day to be - a big party for other people or a day for you and your h2b to declare your love & commitment to each other.

I would save the money and put it towards your house or fancy honeymoon - something for yourselves not other people.

Judi101

We got pretty much all close family to pay for something. My parents for my dress, his parents for the photographer, My mother made the cake and my sister paid for it, my brother for the disco. and he did the video. Plus all the bridesmaids parents as well as the bestman and fathers paid for their own clothes hire. It can get really out of hand though if you are not careful.