Wedding Budgets Halved In The Last Decade: 3 Steps To Maximising Your Cash

It’s common knowledge that weddings can be a significant expense for most couples, with even the small details resulting in some serious expenditure.
Considering the rise in popularity of celebrity culture and Instagram-envy, it might be surprising to know that the amount spent on an average wedding has almost halved in the past 10 years.
According to a survey carried out by CollectPlus, couples were splashing out around £20,000 on their big day in 2007, compared to a more modest average of £11,400 today.
The reason? Most modern couples prefer a smaller, and more personal event, and with first-time buyers also struggling to get on the property ladder, it makes financial sense to have a more intimate wedding, and still manage to afford that deposit.

If you are one of the 56% of couples who are planning a mid-range or budget wedding, here are our top tips to maximize your cash:

 
1. Source Online
Table arrangements, chair covers, favours, and more can readily be found online. Try looking at sites such as Etsy and eBay, or if you have a creative streak, use online images from sites such as Pinterest for inspiration, and source the materials you need to make your own.

 
2. Don’t Forget the High Street
Savvy shoppers know that quality high street items can work just as well as designer pieces for a wedding, with loads of couples opting to scout the high street for bridesmaids’ dresses, shoes, and jewellery.
Surprisingly, as many as one in five women getting married this year will do so in a high street dress. Stores such as New Look, Quiz, ASOS, Debenhams, and Dorothy Perkins, have all launched specific bridal-wear departments for more affordable wedding fashion.

 
3. Go Home-Made
It’s becoming very popular for couples to go homemade on certain items, with around 26% of those questioned doing a homemade cake, wedding invitations, or flower arrangements.
If you (or a family member) has creative flair or skills in any of these areas, put them to good use, and redirect your funds towards those elements that you’d not be as good at DIYing.
The cupcake trend looks like it’s here to stay and tasty shop-bought varieties will go down just as well as a bespoke masterpiece.

By Rachel Doherty, Excalibur Press

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