With the recession and the unemployment rate growing every year a lot of couples see their dream wedding fade away. How can you have your fairy tale wedding when the cash is limited ? A very dear friend of mine, Amy, called me a while ago with a great new: she is engaged ! However they can't set the date as they can't figure out where the funds will come from. So I advised her to talk to her fiancé and find out how much funds they have available. So turns out with their savings and current income they can only set aside £ 5,000 for their wedding and they want something classy and romantic.
So she asked me: Can I have a nice wedding for £5,000?
"Bearing in mind that I want an outside wedding reception, preferably an end of summer wedding with vivid colours in a natural setting"
Therefore I've put together a proposal which I liked to share with you.
Proposal for a minimal, romantic wedding.
Budget: £5,000
First step: determine the number of guests. (one of the best ways to keep the cost down is to keep the guest list short). Stick to close friends and family, people to whom your union will mean something. A maximun of 30 guests.
Secondly, Decide on a theme, in this case: An intimate garden reception.
Then look for venues. Amy expressed her wish for an end of summer wedding, she wants vivid colours in a natural setting. You may want to skip big city hotels, historical mansions etc... Compile a list of friends & family members who own a garden and contact them. If that's not an option, research Bed & breakfast and small hotels in the countryside. These types of property usually come with an outside space.
This is where you'll need to be resourceful, although the hire fees of a venue can be reasonable, beware of the catering cost. In this day and age everyone has access to social media, use it ! Share your situation with your friends and family and do so via social media, you have to think if you post a comment on one friend page it will be viewed by his contacts too. And someone outhere may hold a solution to your problem.
In this case Amy and Kindsley need a big enough garden to welcome up to 30 guests. It could be a relative garden's or anyone else willing to share their dream.
To win over potential garden owners,
-Offer public liability insurance to cover eventual damages to the property,
- Make a floor plan to show your project.
- Draw a day plan covering every details that will take place at the property
- Offer a nominal fee.
All of the above will reassure potential garden owners and help them trust you.
I've found this venue in Berkshire they do not offer weddings on their website but turns out they would be prepare to hold a wedding reception, they have an inside room big enough for reception and the back garden is beautiful. Also they own a marquee, which could be use too. They can cater for the meal and there is accommodation on site. We will come back to the catering options in part II.
Once you've found your garden, it's time to set up a date.
Part I is done, the venue is booked, the date is set, now time to search "The dress" and look at catering options.
Part II is coming up soon, please sign up to my newsletter to be notified once part II is ready. xx
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