Cheap but nice....

We are also on a limited budget so we decided To go for afternoon tea for the reception instead of the traditional wedding breakfast. We are contacting family to see what tea sets etc they have that we can use. We are getting family to make the scones and then only getting the catering for sandwiches and cakes. That way family involved in the wedding as well. We going to make our invitations as well which saves too. Good luck with your planning.

Hi

Some friends of ours were in a similar situation only they approached a local restaurant and suggested the idea that they have it exclusive for a couple of hours. Each person paid for their own food and everyone was more than happy to do this. It turned out that the restaurant made more than a normal Friday lunchtime, and they got to choose a really nice wedding menu. i think they had roast beef with all the trimmings. The venue was lovely, they made an effort to decorate the tables and everone really enjoyed it.

Best of luck!

Awww, sounds lovely ?

If you're hiring a hall maybe ask all your guests to chip in with food as a gift? You could turn it into a comptetition and award points for the best in category, and invent lost of categories so no-one feels left out lol. Same with decorations. If you have crafty friends they can decorate with bunches of leaves and twigs as it's September, and conkers etc.

Bunting is easy to make - either paper triangles stapled to a ribbon or fabric cut with pinking shears to get a zig zag edge and sewn to ribbon. You could have your hens round for teh afternoon to make some before going out to celebrate.

Do you have a friend who could make a cake for you? I'm looking at a 'naked' cake - plain sponge sandwich with cream and fruit in it, with icing sugar shaken over the top and decorated with berries on the tiers. Simple & effective, and reasonably easy to make on a budget.

Just a few ideas ?. I'm sure, knowing the circumstances and what you & the OH have been through, friends will only be too willing to do everything they can to help you have a wonderful day x

You could get a pre loved dress from ebay and bridesmaids dresses from high street stores, that would save a lot of budget to put into making the day nice

Try taking a look at this link -> here .

hth

Peter

Congratulations btw.

Well I think it sounds lovely. What a romantic gesture from you man.

We had a very inexpensive wedding with a buffet reception in the function room of our local (country pub). It was brilliant, fun and informal and meant we could accommodate far greater numbers than if we had had a sit down meal. You can definitely have a very special day on a limited budget.

Thankyou everyone some brilliant ideas for me to start looking at i like the idea of afternoon tea and guests helping with food. I will be checking out those sites too thankyou and good luck with your plans xx

Thankyou x ? love the bunting idea and the guests helping with food which im sure they would be happy to do. I seem to have a mind blank at min lol xx

Make all your own invite, orders of service, menues, place name, table plan, favour boxes etcetc. I am and it's costing me a lot less!

Date twin!!!! Congratulations!

Peter. Best rec ever lol I'm gonna bookmark this. My ambition is to completely do my wedding through charity shops!

Hi...im in the same situation...and dont know where to start ? i read an invite saving tip by doing the invites by email....i found the smilebox very good and free...and have sent out save the dates...im also doing a late afternoon bbq before going on to the evening venue and ive asked my bridesmaids to buy there own outfits....hope this helps and good luck ?

Hi xst3phx. Congrats. The day will be amazing for the 2 of you whether you spend £2000 or £20000 - it's easy to caught up in the whole thing and think you need to have posh food, matching items etc but really as long as you have a pretty dress, some wine and dancing that's all you need.

Also wanted to say hi as my wedding is on 21.09.13 too. *smile* My best money saving ideas so far are Paperless Post invites by email, guests (said they) loved them plus only cost $10 in total, and Ikea for glass vases (from £1.20).

Good luck

Stoice congratulations to you too ? xx

Hi...im in the same situation...and dont know where to start ? i read an invite saving tip by doing the invites by email....i found the smilebox very good and free...and have sent out save the dates...im also doing a late afternoon bbq before going on to the evening venue and ive asked my bridesmaids to buy there own outfits....hope this helps and good luck ?

Going to have a look at smile box and only my 2 girls are bridesmaids ,i found suits in matalan that are cheaper to buy than they are to hire..... good luck to you too and thankyou xx

Thankyou for all your replies i have got my brand new alfred angelo dress off ebay,it was a second chance offer as it didn't sell-the lady who's wedding been called off has given it to me for just the price of postage so i'm sad for her but happy for me ? i have also started on my invites,going to make the folded ones and put some forget me not seeds in for my guests to plant and as they flower in sept they will remeber the date-seeds were 99p for 2500 on ebay so a bargain.I also making activity packs to occupy kids as we all have children-print colouring pages and wordsearches then put them in clear bags with a multicoloured pencil and a front page printed with our wedding with names,date etc and tied with a contrasting coloured ribbon.A bit of faff making them but very cheap and they are selling for £4 each!! i'm getting into this planning cheap but nice full heartedly ? enjoy your days and good luck xx

Hi,

When you get to the stage of choosing headwear maybe worth keeping an eye on my site, as I have new stock coming in soon, and have pretty little bridesmaid bands.

My daughters made their table centres and bunting etc and it looked stunning. \it is a nice feeling when you do it yourself too. We had silk flowers which we made up into bouquets and they were lovely. Bought the flowers from Village Green wholesaler.

Lynne