Budget weddings: cut the cost of your big day Top style tips for a beautiful budget wedding

Budget wedding style

A more expensive wedding dress isn't always more flattering or stylish - so consider what will suit you, not just how much you can spend

Every couple wants to create a wedding day celebration that reflects their personalities and style – but the cost of organising a beautiful big day can add up.

If you’re on a budget it’s important to prioritise your spending, allocating bigger sums of money to the products and services that mean the most to you.

However, it’s also crucial to remember that splashing lots of cash doesn’t guarantee great style. There are plenty of ways you can add pretty, personal touches to your big day without breaking the bank – and your guests are unlikely to notice you’ve cut costs if you think creatively.

1. Shop around on the high street

With some wedding gowns costing several thousand pounds and magazines full of glossy ads for big-name designers, many brides feel pressure to spend more than they can really afford on their wedding dress.

But busting your budget isn’t necessarily the best way to ensure your gown has the wow-factor. Choosing a style and fabric that flatters you, and a shade that suits your complexion, should be your top priorities when finding a wedding dress – irrespective of whether you’re spending £500 or £5,000.

High street stores such as Monsoon, Coast, Phase Eight and Littlewoods now produce ranges of wedding gowns – and if you choose carefully your guests will never know your gown was off the peg without looking at the label.

Designer sample sales are also ideal places to pick up bargains – so subscribe to wedding website and blog newsletters to stay abreast of when one might be coming up in your area. Try the You & Your Wedding and Brides websites for starters.

2. Buy a vintage wedding gown – or go DIY

You could also consider an original vintage wedding dress if you’re after something with an antique feel. You might find it saves you money at the same time as adding extra style to your day. Specialist vintage stores and some charity shops specialise in supplying retro wedding gowns, so find out what might be available in your local area.

Alternatively, having your dress made (or creating it yourself if you’re crafty) could be cheaper than buying it from a shop or boutique. Just be careful to choose a seamstress you can trust – and be especially mindful if he or she is a friend or family member in case you don’t like the finished product!

The DIY approach can also save you money on invitations, accessories, table decorations and party favours – so keep an eye on online wedding blogs and magazines that might provide inspiration. Check out the Rock n Roll Bride and Love My Dress blogs for inspiration, as well as tips on where else to pick up creative ideas.

3. Don’t bust your budget with bridesmaids

The pressure to include as many friends and relatives as possible in your wedding party can be hard to resist – but remember that the more bridesmaids and groomsmen you have, the more outfits, accessories and thank you gifts you’ll have to buy.

Restricting the wedding party to your nearest and dearest is a simple way to save money. You could also try finding off-the-peg bridesmaids dresses for a cheaper alternative to boutique or custom-made designs, or consider buying high street frocks for the women in your wedding party.

4. Haggle on suit hire prices

When it comes to suits for the men in your life, hiring from a store such as Moss Bros, Burton or Debenhams will always be cheaper than buying – but be sure to shop around for the best-value deal, and don’t be afraid to haggle for the best price you can get (or ask for extras, such as cravats, to be thrown in free). For tips on successful bartering, watch our How to bargain in shops video.

Also, consider whether it might make more sense for the groom to buy a well-fitting suit that will last, rather than spend money on hire for a single day.

5. Stick to seasonal flowers

The cost of fresh flowers for the bride, bridesmaids and venue could hit your budget unexpectedly hard – especially if you go for blooms that aren’t in season.

Shop around for the best price you can find on flowers, but bear in mind that opting for locally-grown, rather than exotic, blossoms could save you some serious cash.

To cut costs further, consider buying wrist corsages for your bridesmaids instead of posies, opt for silk flowers instead of real blooms.

You should also make sure any flower arrangements used during the ceremony are moved to your reception venue so they aren’t wasted, and think about alternatives to flowers if you have a large space to decorate. Fairy lights and candles can be just as pretty as costly floral table centres, and will add atmosphere to your evening celebration.

6. Get made up for free

Hiring a personal make up artist to pamper the bride on the big day won’t come cheap – but there are more affordable options. Many department store beauty counters offer free make up lessons, or will charge a small fee that’s redeemable when you buy any of the products used on your face.

They’ll offer advice on colours and technique, so you could use the session for tips on doing your own wedding day make up - or ask a friend to come with you so she can follow the professional’s advice and beautify you on your big day.

It’s worth practising in advance if you or a friend will be doing your wedding make up. Take photos in different lighting conditions to see how various colours and textures of product will work on film before the big day.

7. Ask to borrow accessories

Even Hollywood stars wear borrowed jewels on the red carpet – and if you have your heart set on wearring diamond earrings with your wedding dress, it will certainly be cheaper to borrow than to buy them! Speak to your nearest and dearest to see what accessories or jewellery they could lend you.

Tradition says you should wear something borrowed on your wedding day in any case – so why not make sure it’s something that, otherwise, you’d have had to buy?

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