Couple’s Frugal Wedding Under £3k
Ellie and Dave Cato, a young couple, managed to have a beautiful wedding with a budget of just £2,600. Here’s how they did it:
- They secured their venue, a village men’s club, for free.
- Ellie wore a charity shop wedding gown that originally belonged to her mum, saving on costs.
- The couple purchased four bridesmaid dresses for only £47 from Shein and Pretty Little Thing.
- They found a great deal on a package for their buffet, drinks, and decorations for just £900 in a sale.
The total cost of their wedding was £2,687, a fraction of the average UK wedding cost of £20,000. Ellie, who works at a café, mentioned, “It was our day. We didn’t want anything fancy. Everyone pitched in – I asked for people to help out.”
Their thoughtful planning included sourcing flowers from Morrisons for £30, getting the groom’s suit from M&S for £200, and having a family member take professional-looking pictures for free. They also managed to secure their church ceremony for £550 with a donation kindly paid by Ellie’s parents.
Ellie and Dave focused on what mattered most to them – good food and a great DJ. They made their wedding unique and special, prioritizing their happiness over extravagant costs. The couple’s frugal breakdown of costs is as follows:
- Reception – Free for locals with a £50 deposit
- Church ceremony – £550
- Wedding dress – Free
- Bridesmaid dresses – £47
- Morrisons flowers – £30
- DJ – £170
- Food, drinks, and decorations – £900
- Groom and best man suits – £200 each from M&S
- Rings – £550
- Hair – £20
- Cake – £20
Ellie and Dave’s wedding proves that with careful planning, creativity, and the help of family and friends, a beautiful and memorable wedding can be achieved on a modest budget. They focused on what truly mattered to them, creating a day filled with love and happiness.