Cheap VS Cost Effective

Never be fooled into thinking that quality is worth compromising on. There is a huge difference between something being cheap, and something being a great deal and there are tonnes of ways to save money when planning your big day that do not involve cutting corners. After all, no one wants to pick up the pieces of a heartbroken Bride with poor Wedding photos; there are some things that are irreplaceable and it's worth remembering that memories of the special day are one of those things.

6) Hire a Wedding Consultant
This might sound like a shameless marketing ploy, but I genuinely believe that hiring a Consultant is one of the very best ways to save money. Although the initial outlay may be higher, a good Consultant will not only pass on supplier discounts and any commission received for a recommendation (you can make sure this is written in your contract), but they will also have a wealth of quality contacts under their belt. A Consultant wouldn't recommend a supplier they didn't have complete confidence in, as a poor supplier could reflect badly on the recommending Consultant.
In short, you are more likely to get a talented DJ or reliable Marquee Hire Company for less than you would without a Consultant, with the added bonus of liaising with suppliers so that you don't have to. A quality Consultant will practically pay for (His or) Herself in discounts and contacts; plus nothing curbs the urge to spend quite like having your budget managed by a professional.

7) Save Pounds on Gowns
Remember the Wedding rule of three from my previous blog? As soon as the W word comes into play, prices triple. Consider buying your Wedding dress off the peg; Elliot Claire has an absolutely stunning range of evening gowns that could easily be worn as a Wedding Dress for a fraction of the price, so if you are looking for a dress with a twist, you could be looking at around the £200 - £300 mark for a gorgeous gown like the one pictured below.
This is certainly true of Bridesmaid dresses. There are so many alternative choices available now that purchasing your Girls' dresses from a Bridal shop is an unnecessary cost. Places like Quiz Clothing, Littleblackdress.co.uk and Debenhams have stunning dress options (think embellished Maxi dresses, for example) that can be worn again for an extra special occasion.

Elliot Claire Grey Empire Waistline Dress - £235.00 Littleblackdress.co.uk 

8) Multi Function
If you are considering a Candy Buffet for example, you can give each guest a cute mini gift bag or jar of sweets as a favour, instead of paying extra for additional favours. If you are really clever, you can also use the favours as place settings. Pot plants are popular centrepieces for vintage and country-garden themed weddings and double up as lovely gifts for the Wedding party.

9) Get your Group-on
Check the Getaways section of Groupon for Honeymoon options. There are often great bargains to be had on luxury 5* spa hotels at a fraction of the regular price, so take full advantage of these offers. Don't forget to mention when booking that you are Honeymooning Newly-weds; it can often mean a free upgrade on champagne on arrival. Once again, ask what the Hotel can offer for free; A free candle-lit dinner in a 5* resort can mean a saving of over a hundred pounds in spending money.

10) Don't buy what you don't need
It might seem obvious, but it's worth remembering this rule when booking your Photographer. Don't feel pressured into booking a set package; ask for a tailored quote to include only the services you want. Forgoing an engagement shoot and photobook can save hundreds, and a USB or CD of images means with an hour or so to dedicate to PhotoBox or Snapfish, you can create your own Coffee Table style photo album for a fraction of the cost. There are always friends who enjoy doing this sort of thing; so you could even have someone else do it for you!

Visit again soon for more insider advice, tips and tricks of the trade. Until then...

Stay positive, stay true to yourself, stay tuned.

- The Enchanted One xoxo