Wedding Stuff | Home & Garden Classifieds

It is estimated that the average wedding in the UK costs around �10,000. This means that unless you have been saving since childhood or you have very generous relatives you will probably need to set a budget for some aspects of the big day. There are a few things that have set prices, such as the cost of the registrar or priest and the hire of the venue. Some things though can be found at more reasonable prices if you don't mind doing some research and possibly buying second hand.

Below is a short list of the services you will probably need to arrange for your big day and a few ideas as to how and where you can save money.

Invitations
Sending out the invitations to the wedding often makes the day seem like more of a reality. Wedding invitations can be made by yourselves for that personal touch or they can be bought ready-made from reputable companies. Depending on how many guests you're inviting, some companies will design and produce one-of-a-kind invites for you, however these can be costly if you need quite a few.

The wedding dress
Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day and splashing out on a stunning dress definitely helps the cause! Traditional wedding dresses can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds, however, and this can use a large part of your budget. It might be worth considering buying a second hand dress so you can have all the little extras as well.

People regularly advertise wedding dresses that have never been worn for a fraction of their original price. Unfortunately it may take some time to find a dress that you like in your size so if you are thinking of buying second hand then you need to start looking early. Some designer dresses may have been made specifically for the bride which means they may not be an exact size and so you should ask to try the dress on before buying it. Alternatively, you can visit a wedding outfit hire shop and simply hire everything you need just for the day.

Flowers
When choosing your wedding flowers you will need to include arrangements for the church or other venue, the reception and the bridal party. Small arrangements with bright flowers can look equally as impressive as large flowing arrangements however they cost a lot less. Using a local florist to make up your flowers will again save you money and they often have a lot of original ideas and a personal touch that larger, more generic florists don't.

Transport
Getting to the church on time is one of the most important aspects of the day. Hiring a car to get you there can be quite expensive, especially if you choose a classic wedding car during peak season. It might be, however, that a family member or a close friend owns a car that is suitable for the ride to the wedding venue so it might be worth asking around for suggestions - uncle Jim will probably be only too happy to show off his flash new Merc!

Catering
The cost of the catering will depend to a large extent on whether you have a seated meal or a running buffet. It will also depend on how many guests you invite to the reception and if you have a second buffet in the evening for evening guests who didn't attend the main reception. Most venues that cater for weddings will give you a price-per-head figure so you can compare different venues before making a decision. Do look carefully and ask for references as a poor meal can mar an otherwise perfect day.

The honeymoon
The honeymoon is often the biggest expense associated with weddings. If you want to go somewhere exotic then you might want to consider booking a last minute deal as this can save you up to 50% on the original price. Booking the honeymoon the week before you get married can be daunting however you could save hundreds or even thousands of pounds in the process.

A point to consider
Most people choose expensive service providers for their wedding services because they want the best on the day. Many smaller companies offer great services and often at a much lower price than their larger competitors. It might be worth asking for quotes from independent companies and seeing what they have to offer before committing to the bigger, better known names � after all, smaller companies want to make themselves known in the trade and what better way to do it than by providing excellent service at reasonable prices.

There are numerous things to organise with regards to your wedding day and the list above is just a small sample! It is important to keep an eye on your budget so you don't start off married life in more debt than you can afford. Buying items second hand can save you a lot of money, as can booking the honeymoon at the last minute which means you can probably afford all the little extras you want as well.