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9 top tips for wise wedding budgeting

Published 16 October 2024

However large or small your wedding budget, you’ll probably be tempted to cut back on something or look for a cheaper alternative. Have you heard horror stories of dodgy dresses made abroad that looked nothing like they were supposed to? Or suppliers that didn’t show up for someone’s wedding day? Wedding planning can be fraught with budget-cut pitfalls. Here are some handy tips to avoid disappointment on your big day:

Do your research – yes, it’s a pain slogging through various quotes, chasing up suppliers and getting details, but you may be glad you did. Welcome to the world of wedding planning! Compare prices, find out what is included and what’s not. Do they have a website? Do they have reviews? ‘Google’ them and see what comes up. Do they bother with things like insurance and risk assessments? (If they tell you they don’t need them, avoid them like the plague!)
Know your budget – start with the must-haves (e.g. venue, dress, food/drink) and work out your wedding budget from there. A survey by Bridebook called The UK Wedding Report 2024, noted the ‘average’ wedding costs nearly £26,000. However savvy couples spend around £17,000. The report has a great guide on ‘average’ supplier costs* so if you don’t know what to expect check it out. *Be aware that averages are based on comparisons with at-cost suppliers through to high-end specialists.
The meaning of recommended suppliers – most venues will have a list of suppliers they recommend but what’s the link? Many recommendations are because that supplier is properly vetted and has worked reliably at that venue. You should ask for photos and reviews of their work at that location. A growing number of venues offer preferred suppliers who pay a fee to be on the list. This doesn’t mean they’re bad, however you should look more deeply into what they offer.
Is DIY the cheapest option? Sometimes, hiring can be more cost effective and practical than a DIY wedding. It may be cheaper than you think to let someone else do all the hard work. Plus, do you really want the stress of fitting 150 chair covers on the day, for example? What do you do with them afterwards? How and where will you store them before and after the wedding? If you compare as you go, you’ll make the best decisions for your budget. Check out Sell My Wedding for ideas.
Deposits and final payments – many suppliers accept instalments, so you can plan your wedding payments. Create a schedule of payments to keep track of what needs to be paid and when. If a wedding supplier wants full payment a year ahead be careful and…
Check the terms and conditions – if you pay your deposit/booking fee/full amount two years in advance, what protection do you have if they go bust? Or should the worst happen and you need to cancel? Will you get all or some of your money back? Yes, they are long and usually pretty boring, but they protect you and your supplier from run-ins later down the line if things change.
Don’t leave it all to the last minute – the supplier you want might not be available, especially in high season, the price will likely be bumped up, you might miss important details about additional (hidden) costs, etc. And it’s really hard to keep tabs on a wedding budget with money flying out left, right and centre! Start with a plan, keep tabs on it or, better still, employ a wedding planner to organise things for you 😉.
‘I can get it cheaper on-line’ – this may be true, but do you really know what you’re getting? Think ‘Don’t Tell The Bride’ and consider if this is really something you can do without or replace at the last minute if it’s not what you expected. Again, do your research. Does the vendor have a history and reviews? Are you looking at a legitimate business or a one-off seller?
Finally. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is! So you have a quote from one photographer for a full day, 500 pictures on a memory stick with an album for £250. A different photographer has priced the same service for around £1200+. You are highly unlikely to get what you expect from the £250 supplier. Maybe they’re just starting out and need you for their portfolio? If so, they should tell you this in advance.