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Teena Lyons advises on how to fund a dream wedding for your loved ones without the nightmare prices
The tradition of fathers footing the bill for their daughter's wedding has all but disappeared. Today, just three per cent cover the full cost of the big day. Yet, with the average event costing a whopping £19,000 and everyone chipping in, how can you ensure a dream wedding at a price which is not going to give everyone nightmares for years to come?
Step one: Shop around What is the difference between a 'photographer' and a 'wedding photographer' It's not the photo quality - it's the price. Any service with the magic word 'wedding' in front of it is a licence to print money from a couple eager to have the best for their big day - but the best is not always the most expensive.
Step two: Get everyone involved Someone in the family will be good with a computer, so assign them the job of invitations, order of service and place cards. Ask another relative handy with a needle and thread to make a ring pillow, decorations or even the wedding veil. You could also save on flowers by asking friends and family with an artistic flair to get involved. There will probably be a cake maker, a budding DJ, a photographer too – the possibilities are endless. If friends and family are personally asked to offer their skills instead of buying a gift it will cut the cost of the wedding and make it more personal and memorable too.
Step three: Be flexible If the budget doesn't add-up there are cost-cutting strategies that no one will notice. Shorten the reception, for example, because the longer guests are with you the more it will cost in food and drink. Ditch the desert and serve chocolate wedding cake with fresh cream or a raspberry coulis, or serve good quality sparkling wine rather than pricey champagne. Buying some items, such as bridesmaid's tiaras, second hand on eBay will save cash too.
Step four: Take precautions There is a lot of money at stake if anything goes wrong, but only one in five couples take out insurance cover against potential hitches. As the experience of a huge number of couples who were left high and dry by the recent floods in the UK shows – the wedding may not go ahead but the caterers, venue and suppliers still demand payment. Policies start from about £50 which is not much for peace of mind and parents of the couple are increasingly taking on this responsibility. Typically insurance cover the costs of a cancellation or rearrangement of a wedding due to factors beyond the policyholder's control, loss or damage to wedding attire, gifts, flowers, cakes, and also public liability in case one of the guests is injured during the day.
Step five: Chill out A beautiful and memorable wedding is not about how much you spend – it is about the happy couple.
