It’s supposed to be the most important day of your life – but does it have to be the most expensive? Here are real-life tips from budget-busting brides Julia and Laura on how to save a bundle but still have the wedding of your dreams.

At the outset you need to identify where you would like to save and where you are happy to splurge. Every couple will value different things – some the food and drink, others the entertainment. For Julia and her husband the photographer was their big expenditure, to ensure they’d have beautiful photos long after the day had passed.

It’s one thing to make a budget – but you’ve got to stick to it. As Laura explains, it’s important not to add extra during the planning process as there are ALWAYS more things you could have, but it doesn’t mean you need them!

Choosing a quieter time of year can save you money straight away as many venues will be eager to do you a deal, though this will depend on the weather in your part of the world! For example, peak wedding season in the UK is considered to start around April and last until November.

The location of your wedding will also be a big factor in how much you spend. If you fancy a beach ceremony and you have to travel, simply getting there will hike up the cost. By doing it locally, you’ll save a bundle straight away.

Your venue may vary depending on whether you are having a religious or formal ceremony at a separate location to your main reception. In this instance, don’t overdo it. For example, if you are only going to be in the church for an hour, don’t deck it out with thousands of flowers – save them for the reception, where you’ll have hours to enjoy them.

Marrying at the same place you hold your reception could save you a fortune – especially if you choose somewhere small that will offer you the whole venue.

Bringing in external caterers can be expensive. Instead make use of the venue’s catering or opt for a fun buffet like Laura, who treated her guests to a hog roast. A delicious option that suited her relaxed wedding and also saved her a lot of money.

Alternatively, for a small wedding, renting out your favorite restaurant is always an option if it will offer a reasonable rate per person. Though travel between locations will have to be factored in, it will add a nice personal touch to your day.

Though a champagne toast is traditional, it’s not always affordable. Instead opt for a cheaper alternative such as prosecco or cava – we guarantee no one will know the difference! For the rest of the drinks, try to bulk order or limiting the number of free drinks, as a totally ‘free’ bar can be a dangerously expensive thing…

There are loads of cheaper alternatives to buying from a bridal salon. Julia opted for a local boutique, who even threw in 15 free adjustments once they know it was for her wedding. Another bride bought hers second-hand while another wore her mother’s! It’s also worth looking on the likes of eBay, with stories of people saving hundreds or even thousands and in some cases picking up dresses that have never been worn.

If you are really set on a unique wedding dress, make like Laura and find an independent dress maker. She made her simple dress from scratch but for a really modest budget meaning Laura still got the dream dress she wanted but it didn’t cost the earth.

Bridesmaids have long had a reputation for disagreeing on what dress to wear – so why not let them choose? Letting each bridesmaid buy their own dress is by far the cheapest option. If you like a little more control, buying from a big name store is your next best option, with a great range of sizing and styles.

Unlike bridesmaid dresses, which can often be repurposed and worn again, buying a morning suit or tux is an extravagant option unless you’re sure you’re going to wear it again. Laura’s husband found his tux in a sale – bargain hunting at its finest. If you’re not going to wear again, renting one is a far more affordable option than a made-to-measure suit.

Call in a favour. To get a real discount – or even for free! – make sure you take advantage of any hairdressing or make-up artist friends you have. Or you could agree to be part of someone’s portfolio in exchange, or use a student who needs the experience.

It’s a simple equation – the more people invited, the costlier the wedding – but does it have to be that way? Julia avoided her guest list spiraling out of control by inviting just 27 family members and one ‘communal’ best friend. Letters were then sent out to family and friends that didn’t make the final cut, explaining the situation – all sent back understanding responses.

In Laura’s case, neither ring was a splurge, with hers being antique and her husband’s being custom made from by a local jeweler. Second hand or heirloom jewelry is a great option when trying to save money. Even opting for an unusual stone instead of the tradition diamond can save you.

Forgo intricate, bespoke designs and buy from stores to save big. As Julia shares, she bought hers from a popular UK stationery store. So long as your guests know the right day and time of your wedding you can cut the expense!

Thinking outside the box is a good way of saving money. Meant as a small token, favors shouldn’t cost the earth anyway but Laura saved again when gifting her attendees with Welsh love spoons for the ladies (found on eBay).

And when it came to the men’s favors, Laura got creative again. Trawling boot sales and charity stores for small, quirky items resulted in her creating a whiskey bar at her wedding – using ultra-cheap glass decanters found in a charity store!

When you’re trying to save, a multi-tiered monster of a cake is not very feasible unless you or a friend or family member make it yourself. One suggestion is to buy online – and not from the wedding section. By choosing a simple design you can truly have your cake and eat it. Julia opted for an alternative red velvet cake covered in little sugar hearts, much to the delight of her guests.

In Laura’s case, after shopping around she chose a tiered cheesecake which she doubled up as her guest’s dessert too.

Simplifying your choice of flowers is a great choice to cut the cost. By choosing a select few types and repurposing them for the bouquet, button hole and even table decorations, you’ll save a bundle by bulk buying. Julia opted for Gypsophilia and Eucalyptus, as well as by crafting her own bouquet instead of buying a pre-made one.

In hindsight, Laura believes there were a few things she could have saved money on if she had more time. Though she did source or make the vast majority, things like table cards were a last minute purchase that she could have saved money on by making herself. So plan ahead and give yourself the time to do it all without loads of stress.