I got married for under £400 – people say I looked ‘beautiful’ in my £20 dress and my man got his ring for £14 from Asos
A WOMAN has revealed that she got married for less than £400.
So if you want to tie the knot, but are concerned about how much it will cost you, then you’ve come to the right place.
With the average price of a wedding in the UK totalling a jaw-dropping £20,775, it’s no surprise that brides and grooms-to-be often feel stressed with the rising costs of planning their special day.
But if the cost-of-living crisis has meant that your purse feels tighter than ever, and you’re looking to do things on the cheap, then look no further.
Wilma Lynes-McCann, who is from Exeter, UK, has shared how she and her husband Callum celebrated their nuptials, for less than £400.
Posting on social media, Wilma posted snaps from their “low budget” wedding day – whereby the mother wore a £20 dress and got her food for free.
Rather than splashing the cash on a pricey hairdresser and make-up artist, Wilma shared: “Did my own hair and make-up.”
As well as this, Wilma confirmed that her daughter’s adorable pink dress cost her just £7.
To celebrate her big day, Wilma wore a stunning long-sleeved white dress.
She confirmed that her dress cost her just £20, as she ordered it online, from Boohoo.
To go alongside the dress, Wilma wore a pair of chunky platform sandals, which she nabbed for just £8 from H&M.
And to complete the look, the brunette beauty held a bouquet of white flowers, which she picked up for just £3 from Tesco.
The couple got married in a registry office, and confirmed that it cost them £84 to give notice.
Then, the ceremony itself was just £46.
To keep a copy of their marriage certificate with £11, and Wilma confirmed that she and her husband Callum had both of their mothers as their two witnesses.
Budget-Friendly Wedding Tips
PLANNING a wedding on a budget doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your dream day. Here are some tips to keep costs down while still creating a memorable celebration:
Set a Budget and Stick to It
- Determine your total budget early on and allocate funds to different aspects of the wedding.
- Track all expenses to avoid overspending.
Limit the Guest List
- Keep your guest list intimate to reduce costs on catering, venue, and other per-person expenses.
Choose an Affordable Venue
- Consider non-traditional venues like parks, community halls, or a family member’s backyard.
- Look for venues that allow you to bring your own vendors.
DIY Decorations
- Create your own centerpieces, bouquets, and other décor items.
- Use seasonal flowers and simple, elegant designs.
Opt for a Weekday or Off-Season Wedding
- Venues and vendors often offer discounts for weekday or off-season weddings.
Simplify the Menu
- Choose a buffet or family-style meal over a plated dinner.
- Limit the number of courses and opt for affordable, yet delicious options.
Borrow or Rent Attire
- Borrow wedding attire from friends or family, or rent dresses and suits.
- Look for sales or consider pre-owned wedding dresses.
Digital Invitations
- Send digital invitations instead of printed ones to save on printing and postage costs.
Hire a DJ or Create a Playlist
- Hire a DJ instead of a live band, or create your own playlist for the reception.
Simplify the Cake
- Opt for a small, simple cake for the ceremonial cutting and serve a sheet cake to guests.
By being mindful of these tips, you can create a beautiful and memorable wedding without breaking the bank. Remember, the focus should be on celebrating your love and commitment, not on how much you spend.
But when it came to the rings, rather than spending thousands on diamond rings, the pair decided to do things a little bit cheaper.
And inside of going on a posh trip to a jewellery store to choose their rings, Wilma ordered hers from Bohomoon, for just £23.
You look beautiful in that dress
TikTok user
Meanwhile, her husband got his for even cheaper, for just £14 from Asos.
Another way that the couple saved cash was on their wedding dinner.
Why it’s time to ditch wedding favours once and for all
By Josie Griffiths, Deputy Digital Fabulous Editor and bride-to-be
Josie Griffiths said: When was the last time you spotted something in a shop window or browsed past it online and thought “that would be the perfect gift for 120 of my closest friends, work colleagues, relatives and boyfriend’s mate’s partners I barely know”?
I’ll tell you when, never, because there is NO universal gift everyone is going to love – unless you want to bankrupt yourself buying Rolexes and Tiffany jewellery, and even then they wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste.
So why do brides still pile the stress (and expense) of wedding favours on top of everything else we have to organise?
I’ve been to dozens of weddings over the past five years so when I got engaged, I already had a mental list of dos and don’ts for my own big day, and ditching wedding favours was firmly on it.
The cost of buying an individual present for everyone coming is huge, meaning many couples try and keep it in the under-a-fiver category.
But the reality is no-one wants a cheap, ill-thought-out keepsake – they’d probably rather one more free drink from the bar.
It’s not only that, wedding handbags are notoriously small, with no room to stuff an unexpected gift in, and catering waiters have a bad habit of whisking away the wedding favours when they’re clearing the coffee mug off the tables.
I bet none of my guests will even notice the lack of random gift on their dining table.
If you really hate the idea of not buying something for your guests, charity donations are always a nice gesture.
But the last thing your friends and family need is more random tat cluttering up their homes – so it’s time to save them the guilt of binning your Etsy-bought keyring.
Whilst many will fork out for a posh sit-down meal for their wedding evening, this couple headed to a local pub for some food instead.
And luckily for them, they didn’t spend a penny, as Wilma wrote: “Our mums treated us to a wedding lunch.”
In total, the costs Wilma shared add up to just £216, making their wedding day incredibly affordable.
SOCIAL MEDIA USERS REACT
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @wilmalynesmccann, has clearly impressed many, as users flocked to the comments to compliment the bride’s special day.
One person said: “This is so cute! You look beautiful in that dress, congratulations.”
Another added: “Too cute.”
A third commented: “Perfect and beautiful.”