I got married for just £2.3k – my dress was from Shein, the cake was M&S and decorations were cheap from Amazon
A WOMAN has revealed that she got married on a budget and even nabbed her dress from Shein.
Not only did she get a £3 headband from the cheap online retailer, but she also got decorations from Amazon and her wedding cake from M&S.
Mollie Marshall, who got married to her husband Andrew in September, shared all on how she managed to say "I Do" for less than £3,000.
So if you want to plan your nuptials but haven’t got a huge budget, you’ll need to listen up.
Posting on social media, Mollie shared: “How we did our wedding with a £3k budget.”
In the TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ and has now racked up 252,100 views, Mollie confirmed that she got her wedding dress from Shein for just £200.
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The brunette beauty also got a beautiful white headband for only £3 from Shein too.
When it came to flowers, Mollie cut costs by getting a single bouquet, which she nabbed from a local garden centre for just £60.
And rather than splashing the cash on designer heels, Mollie kept things casual and rocked a pair of Converse, costing her £80.
Not only this, but instead of spending hundreds of pounds hiring a professional glam squad, the savvy mum got her hair and make-up done for free by a kind family member.
Mollie and her now-husband paid £210 to tie the knot in a registry office and £80 to give notice.
She confirmed that she was able to save on the cost of a photographer, as a family member did it for free.
In addition to this, Mollie claimed that the venue they shared their wedding breakfast in was also free.
However, they did pay for a hot food buffet, one of their biggest expenses, which totalled £450.
Budget-Friendly Wedding Tips
PLANNING a wedding on a budget doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your dream day. Here are some tips to keep costs down while still creating a memorable celebration:
Set a Budget and Stick to It
- Determine your total budget early on and allocate funds to different aspects of the wedding.
- Track all expenses to avoid overspending.
Limit the Guest List
- Keep your guest list intimate to reduce costs on catering, venue, and other per-person expenses.
Choose an Affordable Venue
- Consider non-traditional venues like parks, community halls, or a family member's backyard.
- Look for venues that allow you to bring your own vendors.
DIY Decorations
- Create your own centerpieces, bouquets, and other décor items.
- Use seasonal flowers and simple, elegant designs.
Opt for a Weekday or Off-Season Wedding
- Venues and vendors often offer discounts for weekday or off-season weddings.
Simplify the Menu
- Choose a buffet or family-style meal over a plated dinner.
- Limit the number of courses and opt for affordable, yet delicious options.
Borrow or Rent Attire
- Borrow wedding attire from friends or family, or rent dresses and suits.
- Look for sales or consider pre-owned wedding dresses.
Digital Invitations
- Send digital invitations instead of printed ones to save on printing and postage costs.
Hire a DJ or Create a Playlist
- Hire a DJ instead of a live band, or create your own playlist for the reception.
Simplify the Cake
- Opt for a small, simple cake for the ceremonial cutting and serve a sheet cake to guests.
By being mindful of these tips, you can create a beautiful and memorable wedding without breaking the bank. Remember, the focus should be on celebrating your love and commitment, not on how much you spend.
They also splashed out £90 on a stylish balloon stand, complete with pink and white balloons and funky disco balls.
After their wedding ceremony, Mollie confirmed that her parents treated them to a ride in a posh wedding car.
Thanks to her generous parents, the couple didn’t have to pay a penny, as she confirmed: “Wedding car was a gift from my parents, it was a surprise.
“We had five hours in total, think it was around £550 but not in our budget.”
Just proves you don’t need £10k to make it special
Mollie Marshall
When it came to their wedding bands, the couple spent £600 in total, as both rings were £300 each.
And rather than spending hundreds of pounds on a cake that is barely ever eaten, the couple nabbed a simple two-tier cake from M&S, for just £50.
They also accessorised the cake with faux flowers and a Mr & Mrs sign, which totalled only £20 thanks to Amazon bargains.
What is the average cost of a wedding cake?
ALONGSIDE the dress, the venue, the flowers and the bride and groom themselves, choosing a wedding cake is one of the most important parts of organising a perfect day.
But ensuring you've got the perfect cake can be an expensive business.
Becky Hartt from Hartt Cakes spoke to about her business, and revealed her average cake costs between £450 and £750.
This cost depends on the size of the cake, the ingredients and the decoration.
Professional wedding cake maker Kate, from Little Button Bakery, said she works out the price of a cake by using the equation: "Basic costs + cost of business overheads + cost of time + profit = price."
"It is usually around 20-30 hours work in one wedding cake when you consider: admin time, researching designs, cake tasting and consultation, preparing and tweaking the final design, sourcing materials, liaising with other suppliers and the venue, baking, creating and finishing the cake, delivering and setting up the cake and checking in afterwards," she added.
While an average cake is anything up to £750, some people spend thousands on the perfect one for them.
As others can spend a lot less on their cake by going to an alternative such as a cheese cake, a cupcake tower or a doughnut wall.
Whilst Mollie got her dress from Shein for only £200, Andrew’s suit was slightly more expensive, costing £490.
But her young son Grayson’s suit was much more affordable, and cost just £40 from Next.
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In total, their special day came to a grand total of £2,373, as Mollie confirmed: “The remaining has gone towards our honeymoon to Disneyland.”
Not only this, but the savvy bride then wrote: “Just proves you don’t need £10k to make it special.”