I’m a wedding planner – 5 simple changes you can make to your wedding to instantly save thousands

WEDDINGS can be a pricey affair, even when you're trying to keep the costs to a minimum.

But there are a few things you can instantly save on for your big day, and your guests won't even realise.

Tanya Russell, a global-award-winning wedding planner and founder of Hire Societies, revealed to Fabulous exactly what brides and grooms can skimp on.

But it doesn't mean missing out in most cases, as there is often a cheaper alternative.

1. Ditch your favours

For as long as we can remember, favours have been a permanent part of the wedding planning process and deciding what to gift your guests isn't always easy.

But to save yourself the hassle, and the money, Tanya, , reckons ditch them altogether, and argues most guests don't keep them anyway.

"When was the last wedding you went to where all the guests kept their favour?" she asked. "Not having favours will save you money."

If you do want them though, the wedding pro suggests buying scratch cards for your guests or donating that money to charity.

Alternatively, you can provide chocolate or sweets which can double as dessert.

2. Rethink and reuse your flowers 

It's hard to imagine a wedding without a stunning display of flowers.

But fresh blooms come with a hefty price tag, so rethink how you use them.

Rather than splurging on florals for every aspect of your big day, Tanya said to reuse them where you can and double up where possible.

"You can reuse your ceremony flowers in your wedding breakfast," she told Fabulous.

"Or have a vase on your signing table, so when you arrive at the end of the aisle you can add your flowers straight to the vase."

Tanya said this will double as a beautiful arrangement on the table which most people pay extra for.

What's more, once the ceremony is over, this same bunch of blooms can be used throughout the reception also.

Pop them on the bridal table or somewhere else in your venue, and trust us when we say you'll be saving loads.

3. Reconsider your venues

Often the biggest expense and sometimes the biggest decision, but there are ways to save on your venue costs too.

Tanya said to avoid weekends which are sometimes double the price, and consider tying the knot on a weekday instead.

This simple change could potentially save you thousands and guests often love the idea of time off work.

What's more, Tanya said: "Find a venue where you can have your ceremony and [reception] in the same place."

Or consider hiring a huge house for your wedding and have a celebrant attend.

4. Think outside the (food) box

Ah yes, the food and beverage. While an essential part of your big day, so much money can be saved if you do your research.

When it comes to the bar, Tanya said: "Avoid an open bar, this will cost you a fortune and instead of bubbles, create a bespoke cocktail ."

You can still provide guests with enough booze for the day without spending a fortune, and so long as they're fed and have access to a drink, usually, guests won't even care.

And when it comes to food, ditch the canapes and choose a grazing table instead, or even something fun like a pizza station.

In many cases, guests might even enjoy this better as it's more interactive and it's often way cheaper for the marrying couple.

5. Hire your attire

Another non-negotiable is your wedding day attire with the bride, groom and bridal party often dressed impeccably in their best suits and frocks.

But it's no secret just how expensive wedding outfits can be, so Tanya suggests hiring them instead.

After all, brides will (usually) only ever wear their dress once, and bridesmaids, well, depending on the style might never wear theirs either.

Nowadays, brides have turned to second-hand frocks from charity stores or even Facebook marketplace, and so often, guests are none the wiser.