Your wedding budget will be a vital part of the proceedings as you plan the biggest day of your life. Planning a wedding may be a thrilling experience, with the journey from engagement to altar exciting for all, but it can also be a financial challenge.
Setting a realistic budget is however just the beginning. For true wedding planning success, you’ll have to juggle those wedding expenses and keep a handle on those purse strings. Read on to discover our top tips for doing just that and become one step closer to creating the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank.
Focus on what’s important to YOU
While it’s the little and big details which will ultimately make your wedding day extra special, establishing and focusing on the priorities will ensure a well-managed budget and a more enjoyable planning experience.
When determining what’s important and what can be stuck on the ‘later base’, looking to wedding inspiration on the net is often the first port of call. However, as Hitched explains, setting those priorities is very much a personal affair:
“We’ve all seen the amazing photos on Instagram – Champagne towers, cascading floral arrangements and llamas for your guests to pet. These things are all lovely to have, but are they truly important? Don’t get caught up in spending money for Instagram likes, unless it’s going to improve your experience.”
By discussing which elements are most important to both of you, you’ll know exactly where to allocate your budget, which will help you make informed decisions throughout the planning process.
Make your guest list a little smaller
Whilst Covid restrictions no longer hold us back, intimate weddings remain all the rage, and a smaller guest list will work wonders for your summer wedding budget.
When marrying in high season, almost every wedding cost is more expensive. You can keep a handle on several expenses by limiting the number of people you choose to share your special day with. You’ll also get to take advantage of our Intimate wedding package, which is designed for celebrations with 30-day guests. Additional day and evening guests can be added at extra cost.
Keep things as realistic as possible
Setting a budget that’s realistic and allows you to achieve a big day you’ll be proud to look back on is another must.
You need to be honest about what you can afford from an early stage. It may help to break down your summer wedding budget into sections and use these top wedding planning websites to decipher how much on average UK couples dedicate to each. According to this research from Rock My Wedding, the venue accounts for 48% of the overall wedding budget. While couples choose to spend up to 10% on photography and videography.
Prepare to negotiate with vendors
Wedding suppliers may be in increased demand during summer but they’ll still want your business. Don’t be afraid to use your negotiation skills to get the deal you want. Many vendors are more willing to work within your budget than you might think, especially if you’re booking multiple services.
Be flexible with your wedding date
Our country house wedding venues have some fantastic deals for couples looking to be more flexible with their wedding date, and even those looking to tie the knot in summer can realise great savings. Our new Luxe package for example offers all couples need to take their nuptials to the very next level, with extras worth over £7,000 included.
Want a Classical wedding with a little extra sunshine? Book a Classical wedding with us in June, July, August or September 2024 to claim your Sunshine upgrade (worth almost £2,000), and enjoy Giant Garden Games, Ice Cream Tricycle, Pimm’s or Prosecco Station, and 40 additional evening guests free of charge! We also have other complimentary upgrades available should you book in October, November and December. Visit our individual venue websites for full details.
You can find out more about our new Luxe package and Sunshine upgrade here. Contact your chosen venue directly for further details or to discuss availability.
