Weddings are expensive: fact. With the average couple spending a whopping £18,000 in the UK on their big day, setting aside budget can be a daunting prospect. Luckily, bridal party outfits, wedding rings and invitations are easy areas where costs can be cut, and here at Savoo we can help.
Wedding Dress
High street wedding dresses don’t have to be boring with BHS, Debenhams and TK Maxx all offering stylish gowns at purse-friendly prices, usually around the £200 mark. And don’t forget to check out Milanoo and Light in the Box for ridiculously cheap wedding dresses online.
Alternatively consider vintage; Oxfam has 11 specialist bridal departments around the country that stock dresses from £150, or you could search on eBay for designer gowns at a fraction oF their original price. Don’t fancy buying a wedding dress that you will only wear once? Rent instead- no one will ever know!
Save on wedding dresses with vouchers from: BHS | Debenhams | Girls Meets Dress
You might not need to splash out on a pair of Louboutin’s for the big day, but it is essential that you invest in a pair of comfy shoes that will last you through the ceremony and the reception. One way of saving money on footwear is to avoid expensive bridal shoes and pick a pair that you can wear again. Alternatively, choose something completely different on your feet such as wellies for a country theme or flip flops on the beach. For more top choice check out our affordable wedding shoes affordable wedding shoes article.
Savoo can help you save on your wedding shoes with: Milanoo | Light in the Box | ASOS
Wedding Rings
Save money on his ‘n’ hers wedding rings by trading in Tesco Clubcard points for Goldsmiths vouchers. Goldsmiths offers an exchange rate of £10 in Clubcard vouchers for £30 worth of Goldsmiths tokens- so start saving up and you could even get your wedding rings for free. And don’t forget to browse second hand stores and antique shops for affordable vintage rings; choose affordable metals like titanium and palladium rather than pricier platinum.
Makeup Artist
If professional makeup is a must at your wedding then you can cheat by getting it done at a beauty counter at a department store, or asking local beauty schools to offer a discount as part of their training; cut the costs further by choosing just bridal makeup and not the whole party. Of course, the best way to save money is to forgo the stylist and do your own hair and makeup (perhaps indulging in a new foundation or mascara for the occasion!).
Tuxedos
The more accessories you rent for the groomsmen the higher the cost will be, so stick to the basics and wear your own black shoes (polished!) and cufflinks. Rent all the tuxedos together and ask for a discount; the groom’s tux will often be thrown in for free. Finally, pick a store that includes the vest and cummerbund in the price, because you don’t want to be paying extra for these. And if a tux is out of your price range, kit your groomsmen out in suits instead for a contemporary but affordable look.
Discounted tux rental from: Charles Tyrwhitt | Savile Row
Bridesmaid’s Dresses
Nowadays unless you let your bridesmaids choose their own dresses you can’t really ask them to meet the costs themselves. That means a large chunk of your wedding budget will go towards kitting out the bridal party for the big day. One option is to rent dresses instead of buying them: Girl Meets Dress has a great range of designer frocks which you can hire for a day. Alternatively, high street stores like Boohoo.com have pretty dresses at super low prices- or visit designer outlet stores for end of the line bargains. Find inspiration with our 21 Bridesmaid Dresses for under £130.
Save money on Bridesmaid dresses from: Lipsy | Missguided | Coast
Invitations
Designing and making your own wedding invitations is often cheaper than having them done professionally; head to Hobbycraft if you are feeling creative and stock up on card, flowers and dried ribbons. If you aren’t confident in your DIY skills then Vistaprint offers a fool-proof personalised alternative; or visit Paperchase for a multipack of invitations ready to be filled out. Prefer invitations to be taken care of for you? Choose a company that offers discount packages and keep the design simple without added embellishments.
Cut your wedding invitation costs with discounts from: Paperchase | Vistaprint
Part II of our top tips will look at saving money on the big day, including decorations, venue and entertainment. Watch this space! Also, right now is a good time to start thinking about your honeymoon – hows our top 10 ways to save money on your honeymoon article. Wedding
