Despite the average UK wedding stacking up to around Ј21k, there are many ways in which costs can be kept down when planning your special day. Here are some ways that you could claw back some of your cash…

Sack your planner:

Fantastic as wedding planners are, they can be very costly. Rather than booking an events organiser, invest in a wedding planning book which is split into sections e.g. outfits, budget, guest list etc. This will put you in control of your wedding with the aid of your planning book.

Delegating jobs to key members of the bridal party is also a good way of keeping costs [and stress levels!] down. Using a social networking site is also a great way of keeping your guests and the bridal party on track with recent developments.

Keep an eye on the budget with an accounts package:

By using accounting software on your computer you can set up a spreadsheet or something similar. This will allow you to keep on top of your wedding budget and force you to be realistic with what you can afford.

Send invites out with your Christmas Cards:

Rather than paying for postage twice, why not send your wedding invitations out to your guests along with their Christmas cards? What a lovely surprise it will be for them when they open their cards.

College students for photography:

There are so many students out there who are studying to be wedding photographers so why not cash in on that? Contact your local college and ask the lecturers who their best students are. It would be great experience for them and you will most likely get their services free of charge, in exchange for them showcasing your wedding photos in their portfolio.

Get married on a Friday or Bank Holiday Sunday:

Opting for a non-Saturday event could save you thousands! Contact the venue where you wish to have your reception and enquire about their weekday and Bank Holiday Sunday rates. Bank Holiday Sundays are perfect for a wedding as most guests will be off work on the Monday so able to stay and celebrate with you well into the evening.

Get your cake from a supermarket:

Did you know a wedding cake can set you back up to Ј1000? Save your cash to spend elsewhere and invest in a wedding cake from any leading supermarket. Many supermarkets also sell cake pillars and 3 different sizes of cake so you can tier the cake yourself. Top the cake with a few fresh flowers or some glitter butterflies for a perfect finish!

Make your own jam:

If you’re a dab hand in the kitchen why not make your own wedding jam to give guests as favours? Fill glass jars with homemade jam and label them with your name & wedding date. It’s traditional for the bride to make her own favours anyway, so these will be well received by your guests.

Make your own place settings:

Rather than investing in place card holders, why not paint guests’ names on pebbles or leaves? These will give your tables an earthy and organic feel. All this will cost you is a little time.

Set up an alternative wedding list – not for the faint hearted!

Get guests to choose from an unusual wedding gift list which you could set up online or get one of your bridal party to arrange. The gifts could be all the extra things that make your day special but are usually costly, such as:- Button Holes for the bridal party The bridal bouquet Glass of champagne on arrival Favours Dessert at reception Travel to church Bridesmaid dresses Flowers for the church

You could include a ‘List of Thanks’ on the reverse of your Order of Service to those who contributed to your day. This is a great way of involving guests in your day and of getting the wedding day you really want rather than the usual 5 toasters that you don’t want!

Have Hen & Stag parties on New Years Eve:

Cash in on the parties already going on at this time of year and combine your hen or stag party with a New Year party. This will save you having to organise and pay for your own event – just combine the two!

And lastly, don’t forget to chat with other brides on forums. This is a great way of sharing money saving tips together, so everyone gets the best wedding they can afford!