Wedding Costs - How much is enough?

Industry sources state that the average cost of a wedding in the UK has fallen to its lowest level since it peaked at over £20,000 in 2008 and is now estimated to be £15,541 (that includes £3,000 for a honeymoon).

You don't have to spend a fortune though to have the wedding you want, many get wed for much less than £10,000 and we have met brides who did it for £5,000.

The mere fact of contemplating a wedding with all its unknown and associated costs, can be enough to put the idea on hold and that would be a shame. Many of get wed for much less with the help of careful planning, family and friends. So we know that you can have the day you want without breaking the bank.

As couples get savvy with their cash, it is often not always discounts they are looking for, but a bit of guidance, a few tips and hints on what to do, and what is the 'norm' these days? The truth is anything goes these days and we have found that there's no set figure and it's a question of priorities, but as more couples now pay for their own wedding it can be useful to know how the costs can stack up and what you can do about it? There are simple areas where savings can be made, and no-one need even notice!

The vast majority of the cost of a wedding is spent on food and drink and the hire of the wedding venue. The easiest areas to cut costs are to reduce the number of guests and to take advantage of late deals offered by venues.

Source of article : Wedding Whispers (http://www.wedding-whispers.co.uk/)

The Value of Wedding Fairs

When planning a wedding you are often talking to a large number of suppliers from cake to dress makers. This can become overwhelming when looking for ideas, comparing suppliers and negotiating prices.  Newly engaged couples quite often look like a small animal caught in the headlights of a car.

With the wedding industry booming on the internet, it’s a good source of information when researching into ideas, especially with the multitude of directories and blogs.  Magazines also provide inspiration as does watching many of the wedding television programmes – such as “Don’t tell the Bride”.  However, when looking to meet local suppliers, face to face, a wedding fair is the best place to do so.

Wedding fairs take place throughout the year.  They are often hosted at wedding venues, giving you the chance to look at the venue as well as meeting lots of different suppliers.

To get the most out of a wedding fair, it is worth thinking about why you are attending:
• Is it to get general inspiration?
• Is it to look around the venue?
• Are you looking to source a specific type of supplier?
• Have you made an appointment with one of the suppliers?

Take time to research in advance, as it will help you to bench mark what is on offer, negotiate, and compare the value of any special offers that many suppliers put on at wedding fairs. Sometimes, it is possible to get a good discount at these events.

The real value to be gained from a wedding fair is getting to meet the actual supplier(s) up front.  With something as personal as a wedding, it is important to establish a good relationship with all your suppliers.

You want them to be confident and professional, make you feel relaxed, listen to your requirements and be able to offer advice when required.  Talking to suppliers at a wedding fair should give you a good indication as to whether you want to hire them.

Many suppliers that come to wedding fairs have something unique to offer, and feel that by showcasing their products and services, the wedding couples will feel inspired and want to find out more.


Couples often bring friends or parents with them to wedding fairs.  This is a great idea as it can help to give the family the feeling of being part of the big event when looking at ideas and options.  Often suppliers will provide samples (e.g. a taste of wedding cake), as you go around the fair, so getting a second opinion can be useful.  Spirit Wedding Cars like you to take a seat in the cars so you can visualise where your dress will go and your arrival photograph opportunities.

If you are thinking about attending a wedding fair, take a look at our Wedding Fair page (http://www.spiritweddingcars.co.uk/news.html) for information on local events or Like our Facebook page for regular updates on upcoming events (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spirit-Wedding-Cars/22566959876).

Matthew & Wendy

Spirit Wedding Cars