Your wedding day is one of the most eminent days of your life; it can also arguably be the most expensive. However, not everyone can afford such an extravagant affair, and rather than spending your budget on flamboyant buttonholes and personalised stationery, you might prefer to save your money for more necessary items as a couple – buying a house, for example. Having a budget wedding will not make your big day any less meaningful and special. Read on for a short guide to getting married on a budget.

Guide To Getting Married On A Budget

#1 Wedding dress

Your wedding dress is one of the largest expenses for a wedding and, with many women dreaming of their dream dress from a young age, understandably so. However, Avery Austin's article on how to find affordable wedding dresses is a big help for you to still look beautiful and unique without having to spend hundreds – or even thousands – of pounds on a dress that you will wear once before wrapping it in a box for all eternity.    

If you are a dressmaker, even if it is only a hobby, then you could have a go at making your own wedding dress; not only will you be guaranteed a garment that is perfectly fitted to your measurements, but you can also tailor it exactly to reflect your own tastes. Alternatively, why not see if there is a wedding dress you can borrow or buy second-hand? Your mum’s wedding dress, for instance, could be altered to bring it bang up to date, providing a beautiful and meaningful link between the generations.

#2 Food and drink

With so many guests of a variety of tastes and ages, and the wedding day lasting a long time, a good supply of food and drink is required to keep your guests happy and refreshed. To cut costs, research different caterers and obtain several quotes before deciding on who offers the best value for money. Make sure you obtain information on dietary requirements beforehand to ensure that all guests have something tasty to eat and avoid large amounts of waste.

Likewise, purchasing alcohol for your wedding can quickly become expensive. Estimate how much wine you will require during the wedding meal and how much champagne can toast the bride and groom. An alcohol delivery service like Drinks House 247, seen on drinkshouse247.co.uk, will deliver your alcohol directly to your door, and many suppliers offer a discount when you are buying in bulk.

#3 Photography

Your wedding day is one of the most significant days of your life, and as such, you will want amazing photographs to remember it. Professional photographers are guaranteed to have the equipment and photographic knowledge to provide you with a beautiful album of perfect photographs.

However, with smartphone cameras becoming ever-more proficient, you could ask a friend who is a gifted amateur photographer to take your photographs. For a fun and impromptu addition, you could also provide each table with a disposable camera, allowing your guests to add their own happy memories of your special day to your photo album.