When newlyweds Jamie-Louise and Sam Phillips were planning their wedding they were adamant they wouldn’t be paying an exorbitant price for their nuptials.
But the young couple did such a good job of cutting costs that they came in £17,705 under the average UK wedding budget, spending just £2,995 on their big day.
These money-saving measures included Domino’s for guests, an Airbnb venue and some good old DIY.
Savvy Jamie, 22, and Sam, 25, met four years ago on Tinder and hit it off – buying a house together in summer 2022.
They both decided to get married after years of talking about tying the knot.
Just like their wedding, Sam’s proposal was also casual. He said: ‘I was like “let’s just get married”.
‘I didn’t want all the fuss. We’re so close as people – we’d never be able to keep such a big surprise.
‘We agreed we’d get married in 2023. We went to the beach one day and he gave me a ring I’d already picked out.
‘It was really casual how it happened. It felt like there was no pressure.’
Despite being keen on getting married, the pair didn’t want to be ‘financially affected’ by it.
Jamie said: ‘We just looked at how budget friendly we could do it. Everyone said it was the nicest wedding they’ve been to and they said they felt so relaxed.’
When it came to tying the knot, the couple were amazed to find their local registry office was in Norwich Castle and they spent just £270 on a legal ceremony.
They booked the venue in January 2023 but and tied the knot in August that year.
They did struggle to find an affordable wedding venue for their reception though, so instead they hired an Airbnb for three days, at a cost of just £600.
In the lead up to the big day, each month the couple would set aside some money for their big day and wedding DIY.
Jamie, a pastoral assistant, designed their wedding signage on Canva and found stickers on Etsy for their wedding favours.
She found her wedding dress online on For Love and Lemons – spending just £500 on a silky gown and alterations.
Sam, a site engineer, and his wife-to-be then decorated the garden of the Airbnb themselves the day before the wedding – hiring furniture for £300 and buying flowers for the tables from a local farm for £85.
On the big day, Jamie got ready with her bridesmaids and did a first look with Sam in the garden.
She did her own make-up and spent £80 on her lashes and nails and £210 on her bouquet flowers from local business Posy Flwrs.
The couple then had some photos taken around the city – costing them just £150 – before getting back to the Airbnb for around 4pm.
Jamie said: ‘It was the most relaxed morning. We spent an hour apart. We drove to the venue together.’
‘I loved doing the city walk – everyone was clapping us along.’
The couple, from Norwich, had decided to scrap the caterers too and instead spent £200 on food – including £130 worth of Domino’s pizza.
Jamie said: ‘We originally wanted a pizza van. It would cost £1,000 plus. In the end we ordered Domino’s. Everyone loved it. It was such a good idea.
‘In the heat I wanted something light. We did bring your own bottles if people wanted to drink.’
Their best man did the rest of their photos for free and the couple wrapped up the night at 8pm.
Jamie said: ‘You don’t have to source stuff with the word wedding in. It hikes the price up. Our wedding fit us. It wouldn’t fit everyone.’
We’re taking notes for our future weddings, that’s for sure.
Breakdown of costs
Registry office – £270
Airbnb for three days – £600
Wedding dress – £500
Sam’s suit – £150
Venue flowers – £85
Bouquet flowers – £210
Furniture hire – £300
Photographer – £150
Food and drink – £200
Wedding bands – £220
Wedding signage – £50
Favours – £80
Other decorations – £100
Cake from Virgo Bakery – £80
Total – £2,995
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