Dr Mobeus
Weddings Are Expensive — They Don’t Have to Be
The average UK wedding now costs around £27,000. That’s a deposit on a house. A decent car. Two years of nursery fees. And yet we’re told this is “normal” — that spending less means your day won’t be special. Absolute nonsense.
We’ve rounded up genuine, practical ways to save £5,000 or more on your wedding without it looking like you cut corners. These aren’t “just have a smaller guest list” tips (though honestly, that helps). These are smart swaps, clever hacks and real savings that your guests will never notice.
The Venue: Save £1,500-£3,000
This is where most of your budget goes, and where the biggest savings hide.
Book a Friday or Sunday
Saturday weddings carry a premium of 30-50% at most venues. A Friday or Sunday slot at the same venue can save you £1,000-£2,000 instantly. Your guests get a long weekend either way — win-win.
Consider Non-Traditional Venues
Village halls, community centres, barn conversions on farms, local cricket clubs — these can cost £200-£800 to hire versus £3,000-£8,000 for a hotel or country house. Dress them up with fairy lights, candles and greenery and nobody will know the difference. Check out Etsy deals for affordable decorations.
Package Deals vs Dry Hire
“Dry hire” (venue only, you sort everything else) looks cheaper on paper but can cost more once you add tables, chairs, catering equipment and a bar. Package deals that include catering and a bar often work out cheaper overall. Always get both quotes.
The Dress: Save £500-£1,500
You do not need to spend £2,000 on a dress you’ll wear for eight hours.
- High street bridal: Phase Eight, ASOS, LK Bennett and John Lewis all do wedding dresses from £150-£400 that look stunning.
- Second-hand: Still White and Preloved have thousands of worn-once designer dresses at 50-70% off. A £2,000 Maggie Sottero for £600? Yes please.
- Sample sales: Bridal shops sell sample dresses (lightly tried on) for half price or less. Follow local boutiques on Instagram for sale announcements.
- Non-bridal: A cream or ivory evening gown from a department store can look identical to a wedding dress for £200. Nobody checks the label.
Catering: Save £1,000-£2,500
Ditch the Three-Course Sit-Down
A formal three-course meal for 80 guests at £60-£90 per head is £4,800-£7,200. A street food van or buffet? £15-£25 per head — that’s £1,200-£2,000. You’ve just saved £3,000-£5,000 and your guests will probably enjoy it more. Pizza vans, hog roasts, paella stations — street food is a vibe.
The Cake
A traditional tiered wedding cake from a specialist baker: £400-£800. A gorgeous single-tier cutting cake from a local baker plus a “kitchen cake” (the same cake, just not decorated for display) to serve guests: £100-£200. Or go for a cheese tower, a croquembouche, or even a DIY cupcake stand from Asda or Tesco.
Photography: Save £500-£1,000
Professional wedding photographers charge £1,000-£3,000. That’s a big chunk of change. Here’s how to reduce it:
- Book a half-day package: Coverage from prep through to the first dance (4-5 hours) instead of the full day. Saves £300-£800.
- Use an up-and-coming photographer: Check local college photography departments or photographers building their wedding portfolios. They’ll often charge £200-£500 and deliver fantastic results.
- Disposable cameras on tables: £3 each from Wilko or Amazon. Your guests take the candid shots the photographer misses anyway.
Flowers: Save £300-£800
Florists love weddings because they can charge a premium. But you’ve got options:
- Supermarket bouquets: M&S, Tesco and Waitrose do beautiful bouquets for £5-£15. Buy 10-15 and you’ve got table centres, bouquets and buttonholes for under £200.
- Faux flowers: Silk flowers from Hobbycraft or Dunelm look remarkably real these days. Bonus: they last forever as a keepsake.
- Greenery over blooms: Eucalyptus, ivy and ferns are cheap, abundant and very on-trend. A garland of greenery costs a fraction of a rose arrangement.
The Small Stuff That Adds Up
It’s the “small” wedding expenses that quietly eat your budget:
- Invitations: Digital invites via Paperless Post or Canva = free. Printed invitations with RSVP cards and envelopes = £200-£400. Most guests prefer digital anyway.
- Favours: Skip them. Seriously. Nobody remembers wedding favours. If you must, a small packet of wildflower seeds costs 30p each from Etsy.
- Transport: A vintage car costs £300-£500. A nicely decorated car you already own costs £20 for ribbon and flowers. Or ask a friend with a nice motor.
- Music: A DJ costs £300-£600. A Spotify playlist through the venue’s PA system costs £0. Create a collaborative playlist and let guests add songs.
What NOT to Skimp On
Some things are worth paying for:
- The registrar or celebrant — this is the legal bit, don’t mess about
- Comfortable shoes — your feet will thank you at midnight
- A good haircut — you’re in photos all day
- One round of drinks for everyone — a toast doesn’t need to be an open bar
The Reality Check
A £10,000 wedding can be just as memorable, just as beautiful and just as joyful as a £30,000 one. The day is about two people making a commitment — not about proving you can afford a chocolate fountain and a string quartet.
Set your budget early, stick to it, and remember: the best bit of any wedding is the dancing. And that’s free.
Looking for more ways to save? Check out our guide to getting free stuff online and browse the latest Boohoo deals for affordable wedding guest outfits.
