A Superb Lancashire
Wedding On A Budget

Amy recently wrote to me telling of wedding on a budget. I couldn't believe what she'd managed for £5,300!

With a fabulous Georgian manor house, a string quartet with a sit down four-course meal and buffet later in the evening for 120 guests - her budgeting has been slicker than most! If you're having a wedding on a budget, then this really is a must-read.

Amy's story of her wedding on a budget

For my wedding, I wanted all my family to be there. We're so close knit and I've got a lot of family! We had 70 guests to the ceremony and sit-down meal and then an extra 50 people came in the evening, so keeping to a low budget was tricky.

Here's what I managed to secure:

• String quartet for 2 hours to play at the ceremony
• DJ for the reception
• Professional photographer with photos and an album
• The wedding venue - a Georgian manor house
• 4 course meal for 70 guests
• Wine and champagne for the toast
• Buffet for 120 people
• Wedding car - a classic Daimler
• Flowers - 3 bouquets, 4 buttonholes, 2 corsages, centrepiece
• Balloons for the tables
• Wedding rings
• Wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses and hire of 4 suits
• Registrar fees and notice of marriage

The venue and reception

The location was Haigh Hall in Wigan - it really is a fabulous manor house and the hire of it is really great value. We booked the upstairs area which consists of a large room for up to 150 guests, a dance floor, bar and a separate room for the buffet. There's a fabulous sweeping staircase that leads up the reception area - so it's all suitably grand and perfect for photos.

The downstairs has the same style rooms, but can fit 300 people and costs a little more at £250. The food was £25 per head for a 4 course meal and the buffet starts at £8 per person.

Flowers, photography and cake

I used my local florist in Spring View, Wigan and it cost £200 for the lot.

My photographer was Matthew Wrycraft and his packages start at £150. I actually went for the most expensive package at £279 and he took photos all day from me getting ready up to the first dance. He also printed out photos on the night for any relatives and all photos were provided on a hi-res DVD so I can print off the ones that I want.

I bought a Spicer Hallfield album off (RRP is £200, but I got it for £50) - bargain!

My cake was made by Elaine's cakes of Wigan for £100. It was three tiers and served 100. I found a cake topper on of a bride and groom for £6.

Dresses, bridesmaids and groom's hire

I got the dresses from a lady in the Vale of Glamorgan. She makes custom dresses and I found her on . We got my dress, 3 bridesmaid dresses and delivery for £350.

The suit hire cost £59.95 from a local hire shop for a four piece morning suit.

The car and music

The wedding car was £190 from a local company in Wigan. The string quartet was a luxury at £400 for 2 hours and the DJ was £175 for 6 hours - again he was a local.

Stationery and favours

I made all the stationery myself and I bought all the materials from - the total cost was £20 for invites (evening and day), place cards, menus, seating plan and favours.

Amy's best tips

To stick to my budget, I just put everything down in an Excel wedding planner - it's an essential tool for any bride having a wedding on a budget.

If I started to go over budget, I just started to speak to my suppliers to get the price down. They would either do the extra for free, or I changed what I was having. For example, the flowers went from £270 to £200 and the car from £250 to £190. So just because you've booked something, doesn't mean you can't change your mind or change the way you want it to be!

I found it really easy to get everything you want for your dream wedding - you just need to shop around. Don't settle for the first thing you see or first price you're given.

I found using local businesses reduces costs dramatically. Don't go to the fancy high street store, instead, speak to your local suppliers - especially florists and cake makers.

Finally, don't accept the cheapest thing you find if it's not what you truly want. You'll find it if you keep looking!!

Other budget bride's stories:

Lindsay's Real Budget Wedding
Melanie's £5,000 Wedding On A Budget
Hayley's Budget Beach Wedding Under £6,000
Caroline's Budget Wedding Under £5,500
My Wedding Under £5,000
Harriet's Cheap Wedding For Under £1,000
Lisa's Wedding On A Budget In The North East
Jane's DIY Wedding
Heather's Budget Wedding Under £500
Nicole's Maltese Wedding For Under £3,500
Sharon's Budget Wedding Under £2,000
Tracey's £600 DIY Wedding
Liz and Anthony's £4,000 Wedding
Sharzilla's Themed Cheap Wedding (May 2009)
Sarahs Budget Wedding Under £1,500
Diana's Cornish Themed Affordable Wedding

Why not tell other readers how you managed on your budget? Contact me.

Get Your FREE Wedding Planner Sign up for the free Cheap Wedding Tips newsletter for instant acccess to your wedding planner.

Email: First Name: Your e-mail will never be shared or sold. You'll receive a password and link immediately after confirming your subscription...