HOT TOPIC

Local experts tackle those thorny money worries

THE FINAL CUT

We’ve downsized our wedding after postponing it twice and are putting aside some of the budget for a bumper party with all our friends and family next year. We were originally planning to have a videographer to fi lm our whole day but wonder if it’s worth it now. What would you advise? Simon says: The important thing to remember in these changing times is not to over commit yourself fi nancially. So why have a video? This is something that’s often asked and many of my couples say that having their wedding fi lmed ended up being one of the best decisions they made for their big day. It’s about capturing all the sights, sounds and emotions, providing you with lasting memories. As well as your own personal recollections, your photographer will capture a range of special moments and a beautifully crafted fi lm will add a whole extra dimension, including scenes previously unseen by you and your partner.

The approach that I’ve found works well for my couples is to initially book the lowest priced package (normally the ceremony only) – that way you can secure the services of your preferred supplier and at the very least will have a wonderful fi lm of you getting married, the lead up to it and immediately afterwards. By doing this, you’re not over committing and can budget and plan for everything else that you want for your wedding. Once the date is in the diary, nearer to the time, I then give my couples the option to upgrade and extend their coverage, budget allowing and at the original prices quoted at the time of booking, to include all aspects of their day.

People also often ask whether having a videographer at a wedding is obtrusive? The answer to that is, if fi lmed properly, absolutely not! The very best moments are always the ones where your friends and family don’t even realise they’re being fi lmed – that’s the beauty of a long lens! https://vimeo.com/451550871

We’ve recently booked our wedding venue for next year and I’m excited to get cracking with shopping for my dream dress but need to keep a tight rein on the purse strings. What would you advise so I can enjoy the experience to the full? Mary says: Now you have your venue, you can think about what dress will suit both you, the setting and theme (if you have one). To help get you started, here are some of my top tips: ❤ Research online for dress boutiques near you. ❤ Check out their websites and make a list of your favourites. ❤ Ring round and make one or two appointments initially. ❤ Ask what the price range is, if not advertised. Let them know your maximum spend and don’t be embarrassed to say that you’re on a tight budget. ❤ Find out if the boutique sells from stock samples at a reduced price and if you’ve spotted some designs on their website that you like, what sizes are available to you. ❤ If you’ve no pre-set idea what’s likely to suit you, be guided by the staff. ❤ You can also find places that sell pre-loved gowns. ❤ Shopping at a boutique gives you the opportunity to not only try on the dresses, but also take advantage of the staff’s expertise and experience. Your appointment is most likely to be one-on-one and the aim is to make you feel relaxed. Remember you are as important as any other bride who walks through the door, so enjoy this special time.

Mary Cox | Bridal boutique owner www.twirlbridal.co.uk

SIMPLY DELICIOUS

We’re great foodie fans but want to avoid getting too carried away when it comes to the catering for our wedding. How can we have great food, that looks and tastes great, without breaking the bank? Matt says: I believe the key to getting the food right is simplicity, so look for a caterer who doesn’t over complicate things. You can have exceptional food on a budget by keeping things simple and without compromising on style or taste. If you use high quality produce you can let the flavour shine through and present the food in an innovative way.

The current trend is still for more informal dining, rather than a formal sit-down meal, which is where street food and sharing platters have done exceptionally well. Not only cost effective they’re a great way to feed a crowd and help guests relax and mingle. Whatever you choose, to avoid overspending, let your caterer know your budget right from the start so you can work together to create what’s right for your wedding and your pocket. Look for versatile, moneysaving options too. For example, we’ve recently added to our offering with a mobile bar as well as our food truck which allows us to reduce some of the hire costs when booked together, saving some of the big-day budget.