Weddings are memorable life events that most of us only do once (maybe twice). As a result, we tend to be a little reckless when it comes to spending and budgets can quickly escalate. However, if you are planning your own wedding right now and your budget is small, there are some smart ways that you can make the most of the money that you have to make it go further.

Ask for help with some of the basics

Anything with the word “wedding” in front of it tends to cost more. So, you’ll pay extra for a wedding cake, wedding photographer or a wedding band than you would for those products or services at another time. If you have friends or relatives who can help you make the most of your budget by removing some of these costs then it’s always worth asking them to help. From friends who are hairdressers, to brothers who play in a jazz band, designer relatives who could make invites or friends who are experts at cupcakes, if you’re willing to think outside the box (and accept some help) then you can create the perfect wedding for less.

Get married out of season

If you get married in peak wedding season you can expect to pay double – or more – than you would outside of it. So, for smaller budgets it makes a lot more sense to pick a date when prices are lower. That way you’ll get a lot more for your money and the only compromise you’ll have to make is the date itself.

Identify your priorities

If your budget is limited then allocating the resources you have to what you consider to be priorities is important. If you don't do this you are likely to exceed you budget because you won't have enough money left for the essentials. Of course, some people might be able to borrow a bit extra with the help of parents and guarantor loans, for instance. But for those who can't borrow easily or cheaply (for example, according to online broker Solution Loans, those who have a poor credit score) then your will find loans for people with bad credit are an expensive way of borrowing.

So remember to prioritise - this could be the venue, the dress, the cake or the food – which elements are the most important for ensuring that you have the perfect day? Once you’ve done that then you can look at where savings can be made on everything else. For example, you could:

·         Opt for minimal flower displays rather than opulent bunches

·         Serve a buffet instead of a sit down meal

·         Ask people to drive from the ceremony to the venue instead of booking transport

·         Have a DJ instead of a band

·         Avoid the extras – are hand crafted place names and guest favours really necessary?

·         Buy second hand – you could get everything, from the dress and shoes through to decorations and suits second hand, you don’t need to buy new

Ask your guests to help with the honeymoon

The cost of a honeymoon could be a fairly substantial part of your wedding budget. Instead of making sacrifices to pay for this yourself, why not forgo a wedding gift list and ask guests to contribute to the honeymoon instead? It’s just as satisfying for your guests to help the newlyweds jet off to somewhere exotic as it is to gift a toaster or a piece of garden furniture. Plus, you’ll be able to make your budget stretch much further without that significant expense to consider.