How to plan a wedding on a budget
How to plan a wedding on a budget: Your small and intimate wedding guide
Dreaming of a beautiful wedding day without the eyewatering price tag? You’re not alone. Many couples in the UK often wonder how much a small wedding costs – the good news is, it’s far less than you think.
If you’re exploring how to plan a wedding on a budget, small and intimate weddings are a great way to save money while still having the day of your dreams. Read on to find out how small wedding celebrations can help you cut down costs, without cutting corners.
What is an intimate wedding?
An intimate wedding typically includes your closest family and friends. Instead of inviting distant relatives or plus-ones you’ve never met, you celebrate with the people who genuinely matter most. Some small weddings can have as few as 20 guests, whilst others may reach closer to 60.
A tighter guest list comes with perks of its own:
- You spend more quality time with everyone
- You can elevate the food, décor and experience
- The atmosphere feels warm and intimate
- Your budget stretches further, without feeling like you’re cost-cutting
How much does a small wedding cost UK couples?
While the average UK wedding costs over £20,000, a thoughtfully planned intimate wedding often falls between £5,000 and £15,000, depending on your choices.
An intimate wedding doesn’t mean reducing the celebration. By saving on the most costly aspects of the day, you’ll have the chance to allocate funds to your activities, decor and outfits.
For example, some of the biggest savings come from:
- Venue: A smaller guest list opens even smaller budget celebrations up to luxurious wedding venues
- Catering: Fewer mouths to feed and more budget to allocate elsewhere
- Venue capacity requirements: More affordable, intimate wedding venues
- Floral arrangements: Venues with green spaces, grand windows and gardens help save on the flower budget
- Table styling: Less space taken up by table decor, more room for dancing
How to plan a wedding on a budget
Intimate weddings can help you cut down the complexity of wedding planning. To make your day simpler, but no less special, follow these simple steps:
1. Tailor your guestlist
A smaller guestlist can feel intimidating: no one wants to offend or cut out the people they want with them on their special day. To plan for a smaller guestlist, start by creating a priority list of guests and expand from there.
Whilst it may feel a bit brutal, a more intimate wedding means your money will stretch much further. Catering becomes simpler – a smaller group allows you to create a high-end dining experience that feels like a private event in a grand setting. Rather than spreading your budget thin, you concentrate it where it matters most, creating the atmosphere you want.
2. Opt for natural decor
One of the smartest ways to manage costs is to choose a venue that already looks stunning. When a space has architectural character, natural light and beautiful, natural surroundings, you don’t need to spend thousands on wedding decor.
Venues with period features, statement interiors and expansive parkland views act as ready-made decor. And with a more intimate wedding party, you’d be surprised how within reach elegant windows and landscaped grounds are.
3. Take a “registry-then-celebrate” approach
Have your legal ceremony at a registry office, then host your wedding celebration separately. Venues such as RMS Events focus on hosting exceptional wedding receptions and celebrations. While you can’t legally marry on-site, this can actually make your day more flexible and affordable. By separating the legal paperwork from the party, you can focus entirely on celebrating the happy day.
4. Be smart with your timeline
One of the best things about intimate weddings is that they don’t have to follow the traditional 12-hour schedule. Make more time for the parts of the day that matter most to you, whether that’s a private first dance, sunset speeches or planning golden-hour pictures.
Why choose RMS Events for your intimate wedding celebrations
Set in expansive Hertfordshire parkland, RMS Events offers a stunning backdrop for small wedding celebrations. Our elegant interiors and sophisticated decor provide all the grandeur of a big-budget celebration, without the price tag.
With a venue that already delivers on style, you can create a luxury feel without splurging on decorating costs. Invite your nearest and dearest to soak up the atmosphere of our historic wedding event spaces, knowing that our expert team will be working behind the scenes to ensure your day goes without a hitch.
Ready to plan your small and intimate wedding?
Planning on hosting an intimate wedding in Hertfordshire? Get in touch with our team today to find out more about our event spaces and to start planning your perfect, small-scale celebration.