Did you know that the average UK wedding in 2021 cost £17,300? Now we know better than most that everyone’s wedding is unique and special to them and the things that matter most will be very different from one couple to another. And whether you have a bigger or smaller budget than the UK average, costs can always begin to escalate, and we’re here to help you stay on track!
Read on for our Epic tips on how to maximise your Wedding budget!
First things first, what is your Wedding budget?
Have you sat down with your partner to discuss your finances? If not then you need to make a drink, sit them down, grab something to take notes, and have a lot of patience! Sometimes working out your budget can be hard but we promise it will make everything else you plan and book from this point on a WHOLE lot easier.
Also, have any of your family or friends suggested instead of a gift they would like to help contribute towards the wedding? If so, write a list of items you want at your wedding that have a range of different prices and share it to them so then they can pick what they would like to pay for and you can tick that off your list.
What’s your vision for your Big Day?
Have you discussed your colour scheme or your theme? There are so many different themes for your wedding such as, rustic, traditional, boho, modern and so many more. Once you have your theme decided and your colour scheme in place, everything will come together and you can then have a look at venues that will suit the theme that you want.
Get creative and make a vision board, this will help when you pick your suppliers. This could include colour samples, centrepieces and lighting ideas. Make sure when you are searching for inspiration photos to suit your chosen theme, that you are looking for inspiration that will meet your budget to avoid disappointment.
Search for local wedding fairs, so you can attend them to get some ideas in person. This will help you to visualise the items and also help you identify what things you may have not thought about. Also attend venue open days so you can see how the venue would be set up on your day, during the open days you can also meet suppliers that will be able to make your special day just what you have dreamed of.
Check out instagram! Using hashtags in the search bar on instagram such as #wedding, #weddingsupplier #weddinginspiration, using these hashtags will help you to find lots of inspiration images and you can add some of them to your mood board if you like what you see!
Don’t be afraid to email suppliers and ask for quotes to see if they meet your budget. Shop around for different suppliers and ask for prices and keep a list. Some suppliers may be able to alter some of the things you have inquired about to fit your budget. There is no harm in asking!
Having a wedding planner could help you create a clearer vision and whittle things down from what you want and what you definitely need. This way after you book the main things and you have some of your budget left over you can come back to some of the extra things and add them on.
Be realistic about your Wedding goals
Venues…one of the most expensive parts of the day. Look around for venues that meet your budget! Avoid the disappointment of looking at a venue that is way out of your price range, falling in love with it, and then not being able to afford it. There will be venues that are in your budget for sure! If you see a venue that is a little bit over your budget then maybe go back to your list and see if there is anything you can remove and allocate the funds to the venue instead.
Also confirm exactly what is included in your package with your venue, eg. furniture, table linen, crockery and glassware. Sometimes you have to pay extra to hire these things, or if they are included then it's an extra bonus! Some venues also have a collection of things you can use such as cake stands and easels, so it's well worth asking them these questions to see where else you can save money.
Make a priority list from most important to the least important. Doing this will then help you determine what is necessary and what is more of an 'extra' wish list item/service. You can then also look at what suppliers you will need for your big day and create a list of people to contact for specific things.
Pinterest can be your friend, but it can also be your worst enemy. It provides you with good inspiration pictures for your day and can help you choose your theme and colour scheme but you can also fall into the trap of finding photos that aren't possible to create in your venue, due to restrictions and time frames you have for setting up your wedding and taking it down and BUDGET. So a top tip here, would be to ask your venue for pictures of previous set ups there, and check with them about any restrictions they have in place regarding decor installations, before setting your heart on anything.
The cheapest isn’t always the best
Looking around for different suppliers can be a fun and exciting thing! But, sticking to a budget can be challenging when it comes to decorating your venue and meeting the image you have in your head. Sometimes going to a supplier that can provide more than a couple things on your list and paying a little bit more for items could be what saves your day, Instead of using loads of different suppliers just to save a few pounds. When looking for suppliers check out the reviews. It may be that they have the cheapest prices but the reviews aren't the best and that tells you why the prices are as low as they are.
DIY wedding
Looking to 'DIY' your wedding? While this can save money on some things it can also end up costing you more and add increased pressure on what is already a stressful planning process. Some of the things you plan to make yourself may not be on a company's website, email them to find out if it is something they could do for you and the price to buy/hire before you give yourself the task.
At Epic Event Hire we can supply a whole range of items to cater for your needs at your wedding. We can also provide the entertainment for your special day with our wide range of in-house DJ's, Light-Up Dancefloor and Photobooth.
Unusual colour scheme? Nothing phases us at Epic we have a wide range of chair sashes and drapes to meet most needs. Alongside Epic we have another business called Epic Gifts And Crafts where you can have a lot of the bespoke signage made up for you, place names and a whole range of other items to be able to add an extra personal touch to your day.
All our services and prop hire items can be found on our website along with pricing. If you have any questions please do drop us an email to info@epiceventhire.co.uk and we'll be happy to help!
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