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Wowsers. That price tag makes the average cost of an Irish wedding - that being in the region of €20,000 to €25,000 - look a pittance. Thing is, €22,500 is HUGE money to most of us. It's what some people earn in a year, and the thought of spending it all on one day is just inconceivable to some, myself included.
I'm getting married in September, and my budget - for EVERYTHING - is €6,000. That includes the transport, lunch, reception, rings, dress, photographer, the actual getting married part, and potentially the honeymoon. So far, I'm still on budget (assuming the Credit Union approves my loan, otherwise the whole thing is off).
OK, so here are 10 guidelines to being a DIY bride...
1) Rule number one of Wedding Planning. You do not mention the word "wedding."
I was block booking rooms for the in-laws for a few days in a nearby hotel. I stupidly mentioned "wedding" and the four rooms came in at an extortionate price. I rang back the next day, didn't mention "wedding" and every room was magically subject to a 15% block booking discount which rendered each room close to €100 cheaper.
2) If you're not particularly religious, consider the Registry Office.
Church weddings are steep.
You must pay for the privilege of using the church, you may want flowers for the church, it's the norm to give money to the person presiding over the ceremony, and then you also have to pay the €200 for your marriage license. In other words, you're looking at about €700. If you choose the Registry Office, you're just paying the €200 for the license. It sounds clinical, but it's what you make of it. You can still walk down the aisle, choose the music you want played (or indeed have someone strum along on a guitar), exchange rings and vows, the works. If you're in Dublin, you'll also have the added bonus of the lovely Grand Canal setting for your photos.
3) Everyone knows a 'photographer'.
Photographers can cost in the region of €1,500. I'm lucky enough to have a cousin who permanently has a camera attached to the end of his arm, so he's only happy to take photos of the day (he'd be taking them regardless, to be honest). If you don't know anyone who has a good eye or decent kit, an alternative is to ask your guests to take candid shots of proceedings throughout the day and email them on to you. For older/less technically savvy guests; disposable cameras still exist, just throw a couple their way. You'll be surprised at the candid shots you'll get (though maybe not as candid as these wedding pics).
4) Choose a restaurant for the meal. You can either spend the guts of €3,500 on feeding your guests just one choice of meal at an "all in" wedding venue (usually in the region of €40 - €70 a head), or you could just choose a varied 'early bird' menu in your favourite restaurant for half the price.
5) Ditch the wedding cake.
I did. However, it's easier for me to get away with this because we're having lunch in a restaurant and then heading to a hotel for the 'party'. Cakes (if you mention the word "wedding") can cost in excess of €300. If you're hell bent on getting a cake, either rope in an aunt who's handy with a Victoria Sponge and a piping bag, or buy three different sized cakes from the supermarket and pile them on top of each other (in size order, obvs). All you will need are dowls to keep the three layers from collapsing on top of each other and perhaps some ribbon to tether around each one. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to show you how.
6) Get a cab.
We were going to borrow a friend's car to cart us to and from the registry office, but now we're considering opting for a reputable cab company we know have nice cars.
7) It doesn't have to be a "wedding" reception.
I asked for the prices of hiring a reception room in our hotel of choice for a "family occasion" for the evening, from 6:30pm - 12:30pm. The only stipulation on the hotel's half is that we had to order a certain amount of cocktails and canapes. Apart from that, the actual room hire is €250. They soon copped it was a wedding, but they didn't mind at all.
I have a friend (who I've yet to ask) doing up the room from 5:30. Each table is going to have a center piece of flamless candles, silk rose petals, crystals, and a jar of penny sweets (all bought for bugger all through Amazon).
8) Ditch the flowers.
Flowers can cost a fortune on the day, approximately €600. I'm opting for a DIY Brooch Bouquet (again, tutorials available on YouTube), and feather corsages. The restaurant and the hotel already come adorned with their own flowers.
9) Ditch the bridesmaids.
This was the one thing I had an issue with. Luckily I have very sound sisters and friends who are willing to undertake the roles without the credit.
10) Buy an off the rack dress and get it altered.
Ideally, I would've loved a Jenny Packham dress, but that would've been almost the entire budget blown. Instead I googled the next best thing, and - to me - that was Adrianna Papell. If you want to make it look a bit different, bring it to a reputable alterations place.
As for accessories, I'm wearing blinging earrings I don't get a chance to wear that often.
OK. When it's stripped down like that, it doesn't really give you the warm and fuzzies about your magical day... but, sometimes, needs must. Never forget that a bit of imagination goes a reeeeally long way.
Have you any tips to save money on the big day? We'd love to hear about them. To the comments!
