The warm breeze, long days and heady nights of summer are pretty difficult to resist, and these represent just some of the reasons why August remains the most popular month to tie the knot in England and Wales. However, summer weddings can be pricer as it is peak wedding season, but that doesn’t mean a summer wedding is out of reach. Have you considered having your big day sooner with a late availability offer?
While planning in advance is the done thing for most engaged couples, organising a last-minute summer wedding can be an exciting experience. With the following budgeting tips, it can also be cost-effective.
Define what’s important to you
Whether you’re planning last minute or have bags of time before your wedding date, prioritising the essentials is important. Those looking to tie the knot this summer should be realistic with their expectations, but this doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the must-haves or even the ‘nice to haves’.
The packages provided by our wedding venues offer options that satisfy your wants, needs and budget. While each is slightly different – the Intimate package is perfect for summer weddings with 30 guests or less – they are all exclusive use, all-inclusive and provide everything that’ll make your wedding day extra special.
Our new Luxe package includes a wealth of extras that elevate your wedding, with everything you need for the perfect day, but with Venue Styling and Dining Room Design included, plus more! You can find further information about our new Luxe package here or enquire directly with your chosen Country House Weddings venue.
Our Classical package is also a perfect choice for those who want an elegant affair, and is currently available with a free Sunshine upgrade for couples who book a wedding with us in June, July, August or September 2024.
Be flexible with your wedding date
Flexibility is the key to getting exactly what you want from your last-minute summer wedding. As well as taking your pick of late availability dates, be open to exploring weekday options to keep your summer 2024 wedding bang on budget. A midweek or Sunday wedding may be a better choice for some of your wedding guests too as Hitched explains:
“As well as the good weather, wedding season falls during the school summer holidays. This allows you to consider weekday weddings (which are much more cost-effective) as friends and family members may already have booked time off with their children.”
Create wedding décor that’s oh-so-you
There are many opportunities to save elsewhere when planning a wedding, particularly if you’re the creative type – or know someone who is!
Put yourself or a willing loved one to work creating DIY decorations for a fraction of the price of shop-bought alternatives. From handmade centrepieces to personalised signage, crafting your decorations is not only budget-friendly, but adds a poignant personal touch to your wedding. Getting friends and family involved can also be fun – think of it as a great pre-wedding activity.
Go seasonal with your wedding flowers
Cut costs on your wedding flowers by styling bouquets, buttonholes and centrepieces with seasonal blooms. As well as making the most of the beauty of the summer season, choosing locally sourced, in-season flowers is great for the environment and even better for your budget.
Streamline your guest list
Intimate occasions have been all the rage in recent years, with couples looking to keep their weddings small by inviting only close friends and family to celebrate their nuptials. Limiting the guest list is a great idea for so many reasons. It creates a more personal atmosphere, giving the bride, groom and their guests the privacy to really let their hair down.
For those looking to keep a handle on the budget, fewer guests reduces wedding costs, especially when it comes to the catering. A limited guest list also means fewer RSVPs to handle, which can be a godsend when planning last minute.
Need help deciding who to invite to your intimate summer wedding? Read our advice on how to decide who makes the cut.
