Make big savings on your wedding day with our hacks on cakes, dressers and venues — plus, get a free fiver from our rewards club

FOR richer, for poorer? The average cost of tying the knot has hit record levels, with couples forking out an average £27,161 on their wedding day.

Many couples are marrying younger too, giving them less time to save. The bride’s average age has dropped from 33 to 31, according to research by wedding planning site Hitched.co.uk.

However, with some savvy hacks, it is possible to have your big day for less cash.

Sarah Allard, of Hitched .co.uk, says: “Although the average wedding spend has rocketed to more than £27,000, brides are finding clever ways to keep the cost of their big day down.

“Most money-saving hacks give couples the chance to inject their personalities into the day and ask their nearest and dearest to get involved, making it a more fun and collaborative experience.”

Here, we’ve teamed up with Hitched.co.uk to bring you some top money-saving tips.

1.Ask your guests to help.

Auntie a dab hand at sewing? Best mate a whizz with a make-up brush? Don’t be afraid to ask your loved ones to contribute to your special day — the chances are they will be thrilled to help you out.

2. Cut out the cake.

How many weddings have you been to when the cake was left ignored in the corner? Serve a less-expensive tower of doughnuts or mountain of macaroons to double up as dessert.

3. Avoid Saturdays.

Opting for any other day of the week can save you a serious amount of money.

4. Something borrowed.

Married friends or family may still have items from their own weddings which you can use, such as table decorations, shoes, a tiara . . .  A few borrowed items can make a big difference to your budget.

5. Cheap as chips.

Cut your food spend by swapping a formal and usually pricey sit-down wedding breakfast and evening buffet for one serving of fun food that everyone can get involved in, such as a BBQ or hog roast.

6. Bring your own.

A lot of venues will want you to pay corkage on your own alcohol, so always check first. Seek out discounts online or shop at your local cash and carry a few weeks before to stock up.

7. Choose your venue carefully.

Lots of venues hike prices when they hear the W-word. Consider a reception in a pub or village hall instead of grand hotels. It can be more intimate as well as wallet-friendly.

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