A Midlands mother and budgeting expert is just weeks away from her £1,500 wedding, proving that a special day doesn't have to break the bank.
Amy Grayland, known online as 'money saving amy', will marry her partner Luke in a registration office ceremony attended by their parents and children, followed by a small party. The 33-year-old from Bewdley, who has two children, shared her money-saving tips ahead of the July event.
Speaking about her budget-friendly approach, Amy said: "Our budget is about £1,500, which is a really small fraction of the average wedding cost of around £20,600. We could have done it for a couple of hundred pounds, but we wanted a party to celebrate with friends and family."
The ceremony itself costs around £270, with an additional £100 for giving notice of marriage. The couple hired a live singer for the party at about £250, and opted for an afternoon gathering with nibbles instead of a sit-down meal to keep food costs down.
Amy secured a cheap deal on the party venue and said many people have messaged her regretting overspending on their weddings, which reaffirmed her decision to keep things affordable.
"We have a really supportive family, and they all thought our approach was brilliant. I know some people feel pressure to invite extended family, which can drive up costs," she added.
The proposal was unconventional: after watching a Martin Lewis video about the financial benefits of marriage, Amy and Luke simply agreed to tie the knot. Amy's engagement ring cost just £32.
"We had a conversation and agreed it would be a wise idea after seeing a Martin Lewis video. We've been together 12 years, and now we're getting married in a few weeks," Amy said.
