The secret ‘wedding tax’ venues and event planners add to the cost of YOUR big day

WE all know that planning your big day can be expensive, but did you know about the secret WEDDING TAX organisers put on it?

Experts from Amigo Loans recently went undercover to contact 24 venues and 72 suppliers – and find out how much the price changed when the word ‘wedding’ was used, in a bid to try and stop brides and grooms getting ripped off.

They cost difference between a party for 80 people and a wedding reception for a group of the same size was pretty startling, especially when you consider that the event was EXACTLY THE SAME.

Shockingly, they found that the entire wedding reception would be 68 per cent MORE EXPENSIVE on average than a standard party package – costing £9,100 as opposed to £5,420.

They also found that a wedding venue cost £2,600 on average, even though the SAME VENUES can be rented for £1,900 for a normal party – a 37 per cent price hike.

And caterers charge 28 per cent more to brides and grooms, with a three-course meal costing £48.50 per head on a wedding day, and just £38 at another party.

The loan company also found that the cost of wedding varied MASSIVELY across the country.

Unsurprisingly, London was the priciest postcode with an entire wedding party costing £10,700.

While Northern Ireland and Yorkshire were the cheapest, with prices starting at £5,000.

Amigo’s top tips for saving money on YOUR big day:

Avoid Saturdays: book on a week day or out of season.

Book a package: instead of splitting the cost with individual suppliers.

Negotiate: with your wedding planner.

Meal tasting: don’t let caterers charge you extra. It could add £35 to your wedding bill.

VAT: make sure it’s included.

Must-haves and nice-to-haves: prioritise between the two.

Bring your own booze: ask guests to do this.

Plan ahead: book your big day as soon as possible to get a good deal.