A Dream Wedding On A Budget: $10K And Under

Planning a wedding can be a costly affair, with the average wedding in the UK costing £20,700 and $44,000 in the US. However, it is possible to have a wedding on a smaller budget of £10,000 or less. The key to planning a wedding on a budget is to be flexible and creative, and to prioritise what is most important to you. Here are some tips and tricks to help you plan your dream wedding without breaking the bank:

- Venue: Opt for non-traditional venues like parks, universities, art galleries, restaurants, farms, or wineries. These locations typically charge less than traditional wedding venues. Alternatively, consider a backyard wedding at your home or a family member's home, or rent a vacation property.

- Catering: Instead of a formal sit-down meal, go for a more casual option like a barbecue buffet. You can also save by opting for a self-service option from caterers or choosing a package deal from a local hotel that includes catering and drinks.

- Ceremony Fees: Civil ceremony fees can range from £150-£600, while Church of England weddings cost £539 in your home parish or up to £641 if you marry elsewhere. To save money, consider a mid-week, off-season ceremony in a Town Hall or Registry Office.

- Stationery: Opt for digital invitations and save-the-dates sent via email, or go with printed invitations from online retailers, which can cost as little as £2 per card.

- Hair and Makeup: Hire a stylist who can do both hair and makeup to save on costs. You can also skip the trial to reduce expenses further.

- Attire: Sample sales and high street options offer budget-friendly alternatives to designer wedding dresses. For grooms, renting a suit can be more affordable than purchasing one.

- Flowers: Seasonal and local flowers are usually more affordable than imported varieties. You can also save by repurposing bridesmaids' bouquets as centrepieces or using inexpensive foliage and potted plants for decorations.

- Cake: Instead of a traditional tiered wedding cake, consider alternative options like cupcakes, brownies, or a tower of doughnuts. Decorate a simple cake yourself with ribbon and flowers to save on costs.

- Photography: While professional wedding photographers can be expensive, you may be able to negotiate a lower rate by customising the package. Consider having the photographer capture only certain parts of the day, or enlist the help of talented amateur photographer friends.

- Entertainment: A Spotify or Apple Music playlist can provide music for the ceremony and wedding breakfast at no extra cost. For the evening, you can hire a DJ for around £500 or rely on a playlist managed by a friend.

Wedding venue and catering

The venue and catering are typically the largest cost when planning a wedding. To stick to a budget of 10k, there are a few things to consider.

Firstly, the number of guests you invite will have a significant impact on the overall cost. The more guests you invite, the larger the venue and the more food and drink you will need to provide. If you are able to limit your guest list to around 50 people, you will be able to find more affordable venues and catering options.

When it comes to choosing a venue, consider local hotels, community centres, golf clubs, and country clubs, which often offer package deals that include catering, drinks, and entertainment. These packages can help you save money and make planning easier. Some venues also offer discounts for off-peak days and times, so consider having your wedding on a weekday or during the winter months.

If you prefer a more unique or upscale venue, look for venues that allow external caterers and bring in a budget-friendly catering company. Buffet-style meals or a simple main course like pie and mash can also help reduce costs.

For drinks, check with your venue or caterer if you can bring your own alcohol. Buying alcohol wholesale can be more cost-effective, but remember to factor in any corkage fees charged by the venue.

Don't be afraid to get creative and think outside the box. Many couples have successfully held their weddings in village halls, council-owned buildings, and even their own back gardens!

• Marina Village in San Diego offers breathtaking views and has an affordable rental fee of $1,000.
• Canyon Crest Country Club in Riverside provides all-inclusive packages for $3,500, including catering, linens, tables, and chairs.
• Brea Community Center in Brea, California, offers indoor and outdoor spaces and all-inclusive packages starting at $3,500.
• The Villa Incanta in Fallbrook, California, is a picturesque venue starting at $5,500 for 50 guests, including tables, chairs, linens, and a day-of coordinator.
• The Maxwell House in Pasadena, California, is a charming historic venue starting at $7,500, with access to a bridal suite and groom's room.
• The Ebell of Long Beach in Long Beach, California, offers indoor and outdoor spaces and starts at $9,000, including access to the bridal suite and groom's room.

Remember, the key to staying within your budget is to be flexible and willing to compromise. With careful planning and some creative thinking, you can definitely have a beautiful and memorable wedding for 10k!

Wedding dress

The wedding dress is a crucial part of the wedding and can be a large expense. The average wedding dress costs around £750-£1,800. However, there are ways to save money on your dream dress. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started:

Sample Sales and High Street Shopping

Sample sales at local bridal boutiques are a great way to find a bargain. You can also try high street shops, which often have ready-to-wear bridal gowns and separates that are perfect for a garden party or summer meal. Each season, the quality and designs are improving, with embellishments, appliqué, and luxurious fabrics to meet the standards of contemporary and traditional brides. Some popular options include Phase Eight, Whistles, French Connection, and Monsoon, all of which offer dresses for less than £750.

Online Options

There are many online options to explore, such as Azazie, Lulus, Stillwhite, Poshmark, and David's Bridal, where you can find deals and discounts. Etsy is another excellent source for wedding dresses, with sellers like Lacebridal offering unique and handcrafted options.

Department Stores

Department stores like Nordstrom carry beautiful white dresses, often starting at £50 or less if you shop on the clearance rack.

Renting and Pre-Owned

If you're open to renting a dress, Rent the Runway offers designer wedding dresses starting at just £50. For pre-owned or used gowns, check out sites like Nearly Newlywed and Still White, where you can find significant discounts.

DIY and Local Boutiques

If you're feeling creative, consider making your own dress or shopping at local boutiques for off-the-rack sales. You can also ask local boutiques about upcoming sample sales or their sample rack, where you might find your dream dress at a fraction of the cost.

Alternative Options

If you're willing to consider alternatives, you can explore non-traditional options like Abercrombie & Fitch, which has launched an affordable and cute wedding line. You can also check out bridal consignment shops, where you might find a bargain on a pre-owned dress.

Budgeting and Prioritising

Remember, the key to staying within your budget is to prioritise. If you have your heart set on a particular dress that's more expensive, consider allocating more funds to your wardrobe and adjusting other areas of your wedding budget. It's all about finding the right balance and making choices that align with your vision for your special day.

With a bit of creativity and flexibility, you can definitely find the perfect wedding dress within your £10,000 budget. Happy planning and all the best for your special day!

Bridesmaids and groomsmen

When choosing your bridesmaids and groomsmen, it's important to keep your wedding budget in mind. The more people you have in your bridal party, the more it will cost. With a wedding budget of £10,000, it is recommended to have around three or four bridesmaids and groomsmen.

If the groomsmen already own classic suits, they can wear those, and you can spend a little extra on matching ties that suit the wedding colour palette. You can also ask your bridesmaids to wear a dress with a certain colour in it, or a specific dress shape. This will cut costs as it will require them to bring their own dresses. With mismatched bridesmaids' dresses being a large and popular trend at the moment, this money-saving hack will be very effective.

If you are willing to spend a little more on wedding attire, hiring groomsmen's suits is a possible expense on a £10,000 budget. Renting a suit comes in at around £100.

For the bridesmaids, you could allocate £50 per person and opt for high-street bridesmaid dresses that they would be able to wear again. Another good way to save on outfit costs is to ask them to wear shoes they already own – at least they will be comfortable and confident in them!

Unless this is a priority that you are happy to move money around to afford, when planning for a £10,000 wedding budget, hiring a professional hair and makeup artist is often an element that needs to be sacrificed. However, there are many helpful YouTube videos that can guide you through the process of doing hair and makeup yourself. Just remember to do a few trial runs before the big day so you know how long it will take and have a set routine in place!

You could also ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen to pay for their own hair and makeup, but this is not always considered good etiquette.

The best gift you could give your wedding party is something they wouldn't think to buy themselves but will use again and again. Some gift ideas for bridesmaids include champagne flutes, small makeup bags, getting-ready robes, cosy shirts, and jewellery to be used on the day of the wedding and beyond. For groomsmen, consider flasks or pint glasses, ties, pocket squares, dress socks, wallet holders, and any preferred alcohol or sentimental items special to the group.

It is customary to give bridesmaid and groomsman gifts on the day of the wedding while you're getting ready. If you have a photographer taking pictures of the wedding party getting ready, ask them to take photos of your bridesmaids and groomsmen opening their gifts, along with a few solo shots of them wearing or showing it off. It'll be a fun memory to look back on later, and your wedding party will appreciate the gesture!

Flowers

Real Flowers

If you're a keen gardener, or know someone who is, consider growing your own flowers. Pick easy-to-grow flowers and herbs such as lavender, rosemary and heather, and then pay a florist to make up the arrangements, adding in some statement blooms like roses.

Gypsophila is a cheap flower that looks great en masse for bridesmaid and flower girl posies. You could also ask your florist about other flowers that are cheaper but still look great on their own.

If you're having a small wedding, you could reuse the bridesmaids' bouquets in your centrepieces.

Artificial Flowers

Artificial flowers are far cheaper than real flowers and won't wilt, so you can prepare your floral arrangements ahead of time. You can buy a package of DIY bridal flowers online, which will include enough flowers and greenery to make bouquets and buttonholes, and decorate your ceremony arch and head table.

Other Options

• Trader Joe's potted orchids for centrepieces and pre-made bouquets.
• Supermarkets and grocery stores often have good floral departments that can do nice work for a lower price than a traditional florist.
• Buy flowers in bulk and DIY your arrangements.
• Use inexpensive foliage like eucalyptus and ivy to decorate the venue instead of flowers.
• Potted plants like snowdrops or herbs make great table decorations.

Wedding cake

The wedding cake is often a focal point of the reception, but it can also be a large expense. Here are some tips to help you stay within your budget of £10,000 for your wedding cake.

The Type of Cake

The type of cake you choose will have a significant impact on the cost. Fondant cakes are generally more expensive than buttercream cakes. Fondant is a sugary paste-like icing that is more durable and better suited for warm weather, but it is also less tasty. If you opt for a buttercream cake, you can expect to pay around £4 per slice, while a fondant cake will start at £5 per slice. These prices will increase with additional decorations, such as sugar flowers or intricate piping.

Size of the Cake

The bigger the cake, the higher the cost. The number of guests you plan to serve is a crucial factor in determining the size and cost of your cake. An average 8-inch round cake serves about 15 people. If you have 100 guests, you will need a larger, multi-tiered cake, which will be more expensive. A good way to save money is to order a smaller cake and supplement it with other desserts or a sheet cake. This way, you can still have a beautiful display without breaking the bank.

Cake Decorations

Decorations such as cake toppers, ribbons, and fresh flowers can add to the cost. Fresh flowers are a more affordable option than sugar flowers, and they look just as lovely. You can also save money by providing your own cake stand, topper, and cutting utensils.

Alternative Desserts

Consider alternative dessert options if you want to save money on your wedding cake. Cupcakes, brownies, or even a tower of doughnuts can be a fun and unique way to treat your guests without spending a fortune.

Baker's Fees

The baker's fees will include the cost of the cake, design consultation, cake tasting, delivery, and set-up. Be sure to ask about any additional fees, such as a cake-cutting fee or rental charges for stands or utensils.

Timing

It is recommended to hire a baker at least six months in advance. This will give you time to find the right baker for your budget and style preferences.

Sample Questions for Bakers

• Do you schedule tastings?
• Is there an additional fee for a cake tasting?
• How would you describe your cake design style?
• Can I see photos of some of your favorite cake designs?
• Are you able to provide vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free cakes?
• Do you charge a delivery fee?
• Will you provide rentals?
• Do you offer other types of desserts?
• What are your wedding cake prices for the style of cake I want?

Budgeting

It is important to set a budget for your wedding cake and stick to it. The average cost of a wedding cake in the UK is around £240, but this can vary depending on the factors mentioned above.

In summary, there are many ways to have a beautiful and delicious wedding cake without spending a fortune. With careful planning and consideration of the above factors, you can have the cake of your dreams within your £10,000 wedding budget.

Frequently asked questions