Budgets

Aye as soon as you mention wedding people think you're minted! We've managed to get pretty much everything for about 7k.

I managed to price stuff up for "a private event" or 30th birthday do. When they give you a price they can't really go back on it when you mention it's a wedding. If they do ask what the extra service is for the extra amount they've just added on. This tends to work for bands/DJ's and stuff like that - I've chanced my arm a few times in the past (playing in a band) but will NEVER do it again now that I've actually had to plan a wedding!

x good luck

I'm in Kent. We had exactly the wedding we wanted and it cost under £4K.

It all depends on what you want, and where you are prepared to compromise. Having people we love at our wedding was more important than a flashy venue so we had 110 and a reception at a local country pub after a village church ceremony.

I'm in Kent and my venue costs the earth. I don't care, though, I'm happy to pay it. As I see if, we are getting value for the money we're paying, though it depends on what you consider valuable.

What I will say, though, is that if you don't want to part with the money, your dream wedding will just have to change to fit your bidget. Don't look at venues that are out of your price range because you might end up desperately wanting one of them, but unable to afford it. I'm sure there are some lovely buildings out there that don't cost the earth, but you've got to think of catering and everything as well. If you're willing, you could do afternoon ceremony and only one meal. You could do an afternoon tea instead of a meal. There are lots of ways to cut costs.

Chilham Village Hall is indeed amazing! this is where OH and I had originally booked for our wedding but we cancelled it due to one thing and another, but mainly the cost. It was the feel we were going for but costs were spiralling because its just an empty hall and you have to pay for catering/bar etc on top. The most annoying expense i found was the Registrar, i was outraged at how much they charge just to come to you and do the ceremony... we are now getting married in Wales, where we are originally from, and where the registrar is half the price!! Depending on what you want i would say think about having a civil ceremony in the registry office and then move on somewhere nice for your reception.

As for all the other stuff, make Ebay your best friend and hunt for bargains - my Wedding Dress was better than half price and with a free veil thrown in at a Wedding Fayre ?

Hope you get it sorted ?

Sorry I didnt reply sooner ladies, work went manic yesterday (how annoying!!).

We want a church wedding. The reception is what is kicking it up. I just am flabbergasted that charging £2000 for a hall is ok (it does include linen, chairs, cuttlery etc. and the use of a staffed bar, but still!!).

I am going to see the above venue tomorrow (they have a wedding and so asked if I wanted to see it) and see if that makes up my mind. There is a hotel 2 mins walk over the road, so thats ok I guess...

Just didnt ever think that a "simple" ish wedding would cost so much.

Ebay is my best friend already! I am buying bits and pieces at a time. Over the past week I have purchased some things for favours that were really low priced. And thats that for this month lol

x

We had a similar figure in mine but I reckon we are now into double figures and we have planned a relatively small wedding in a venue which is not particularly fancy (in my opinion) but we are in the south west (edge of the cotswolds)

We're having ours at Chilham Village hall and with a 3 course sit down for 80 ish and evening buffet for 140 ish and all the normal wedding bits and bobs we're coming in just under £8000

I do love that venue hun, its very pretty... A bit too far for us (and too close to my H2B's ex partner if I'm honest lol!)

I think I am going to speak to the co-ordinator at the venue tomorrow and ask about "high tea" and costs of the wedding breakfast and if there are any other bits they can add in.

And I will get some photos and see what I think a few days later (when I can think about it)

x