Prince William's marriage to Kate Middleton in London this April is set to be a less lavish affair than his parents' 30 years ago. Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer married at St Paul’s Cathedral with full pomp and circumstance in a wedding estimated to have cost around £30 million.
Kate and William, we are told, are keen to have a more low-key shebang to reflect today's cash-strapped times.
It's expected her gown will be more modest than the huge creation Diana donned, with its 25-foot train and 10,000 hand-stitched pearls. Nevertheless, the bill for this royal 'austerity wedding' is likely to run into tens of millions of pounds.
But what if your wedding budget is actually austere? Perhaps you have a couple of thousand, or just a few hundred, pounds to spend.
Don't despair; there are plenty of ways you can stretch your cash to have a great day. Here are some of the best ideas.
Ditch the bridesmaids
It used to be the tradition that bridesmaids bought their own dresses. Nowadays, it's more common for brides to shell out for their maids' gowns. Somehow, it doesn't seem fair to make your mates pay for a mauve confection when purple may not be their colour. It's great for brides to have friends on hand to help choose the dress, organise the details and lend support. But maybe they should ask themselves if it's important to formalise this. If it isn't, consider going without the bridesmaids. The same goes for the page boys too.
Shop around for venues
There are now hundreds of unusual and budget-friendly civil wedding options in the UK, from art galleries and breweries to vineyards and windmills. Lower-cost choices include hotels, village halls and council-owned buildings. Fees for a registrar are extra and costs start at £100, depending on the region. Pub room hire is a particularly cheap reception choice. For summer weddings, why not twist the arm of a friend with a large garden, and pitch up with a marquee?
Ask friends to contribute
There are bound to be talented people in your close circle. Make the most of their skills. Do you know a great singer or DJ who could entertain your guests for an hour or two? Or a face painter to keep the kids amused? Could your domestic goddess friend whip up a wedding cake? Maybe an artistic pal could make wedding jewellery or create homemade invitations. If you hire a friend, you should still be willing to pay - but you can bet it’ll be cheaper than hiring a stranger.
Get creative with clothes
New wedding dresses and suits can cost thousands of pounds – and they often end up on internet auctions the week after the wedding. If you can’t justify shelling out on something you'll probably only wear once, there are many cheaper options. Check out the sale rails in bridal shops. Second-hand is also an option – there are loads of dresses up for grabs on ebay.co.uk, preloved.co.uk and sellmyweddingdress.co.uk. Creative types could even make their own outfits or customise existing ones. Or, if you've the patience to sift through racks to find a gem then try a street market. You'll find quirky bargains at London's Portobello Market and Manchester’s Vintage Fashion Market.
Explore cheaper catering
Sit-down meals with waiter service can cost a small fortune, particularly if you're catering for a large party. Buffet meals are cheaper, more sociable and better fun. Hiring your own caterers could save you hundreds of pounds. When looking for the right company, consider local restaurants as well as dedicated catering companies.
Bring your own booze
Venue wine charges can be astronomical, so it could be cheaper to bring your own booze. Watch out for corkage charges, though, which could tip the balance the other way. Some wine retailers, such as Majestic Wine, will put you in touch with an in-store expert to give you advice on food matching and quantities. You may also be able to borrow glasses and chillers, and get it all delivered straight to your wedding venue. Your local wine merchant may offer something similar. If all this proves too pricey and you’re happy enough picking your own drinks, then a trip to the supermarket should sort out all you need.
The Bottom Line
You may not have the financial backing for a royal wedding, but it's careful planning and good company that makes a wedding truly rich. Plus, a little penny pinching on the big day may allow you to put some money toward your honeymoon – and more fun in the future.