With the average UK wedding costing almost £20,000*, more and more couples are struggling to afford their dream wedding.

Future brides and grooms are postponing their weddings, getting married abroad and delaying their honeymoon in order to save money.

While some of us know exactly what we want for our special day and a lack of funding won’t stop us, thrifty people are cutting costs here and there without taking away from the charm of their
special day.

If you’re getting married on a budget, or even if you’re not, follow our top tips to save money without anyone noticing.

Skip the party

If you’re having a ceremony, reception and evening do, the chances are you’re going to be pretty tired. The marriage is the most important part of the day, so enjoy your ceremony and reception and get an early night instead of partying until the small hours.

Ditch the drab

Be ruthless with your guest list. Don’t invite people you don’t like, friends’ partners who you’ve never met and specify ‘no children’. It may seem harsh, but you’ll save a fortune and parents will be able to enjoy themselves a lot more if their children aren’t causing mayhem or crying throughout the blessing.

Bargain booze

Don’t waste money buying champagne for the toasts - it usually gets left on the table anyway. Nobody will notice if you buy a cheaper alternative, such as Asti or fizzy wine. You could even dare to be different and go with Buck’s Fizz.

Fancy favours

A nice tradition, this can get expensive, especially if you have a lot of guests. Bulk buy the Haribo and give each guest a little packet, or put a jar full of sweets in the middle of the table.

Costly caterers

An easy way to cut costs is to have a homemade buffet supper at your evening reception. Get friends and family to help you slice vegetables and fruit, make sandwiches, cupcakes and jellies and go wholesale for frozen party food, chocolate fingers and sweets.

Lovely jumbly

Find some jumble sales and buy old plates and cups for a vintage mismatched theme. It can be cheaper than hiring crockery and won’t matter if anything gets broken. You could even let guests take it home as wedding favours.

Bridesmaid couture

Ask your bridesmaids to buy their own dresses instead of getting you a present. Choose a colour and/or style or find a specific one on the high street.

Battle of the bands

See if any of your friends will play or sing during your ceremony or reception. It’ll be far more personal and you won’t have to pay them. Alternatively ask if anyone can recommend a good local band.

Frugal flowers

Don’t overdo the foliage. Go for classic, understated floral arrangements using flowers that are in season and have each bridesmaid carry a single stem.

Vintage gown

Consider having your mother’s wedding dress remodelled for you. She’ll be touched and you’ll save money. There are also websites online where you can buy a second-hand designer wedding dress at a fraction of the cost.

John Lewis Wedding Insurance

No matter how much you’re spending on your wedding, you’ll want to make sure that it’s protected if something goes wrong.

John Lewis Wedding Insurance provides cover for weddings costing from £10,000 to £100,000 so no matter what your budget, you can relax.

Our wedding policies start at just £58.00 and offer compensation towards loss, theft or damage to the wedding dress, wedding rings, wedding flowers and professional wedding photographs, including a re-shoot if necessary.

We’ll also cover you if you need to cancel or postpone your wedding because a member of your close family or wedding party falls ill, when it is inappropriate to continue the ceremony and it is not due to a pre-existing medical condition.

Terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and eligibility criteria apply.

John Lewis Insurance is a trading name of John Lewis plc. Registered office: 171 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5NN. Registered in England (No. 233462). John Lewis plc is an appointed representative of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc. John Lewis Wedding Insurance is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc (No. 93792). Registered in England and Wales at St. Mark's Court, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1XL. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Calls may be recorded and monitored.

John Lewis plc is an appointed representative of Ageas Insurance Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Ageas Insurance Limited. Registered in England No. 354568. Registered office: Ageas House, Tollgate, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO53 3YA.