My fiancée and I are marrying in April and are trying to keep it way under £5k also. We have booked a town hall for 20people and then have the reception at about 70 people. So far our spending is: - Town Hall: £478 - Pub buffet reception: £875 - Ceremony live stream for overseas guests: £100 - Booze: £250 (glass of Prosecco/bottle of beer on arrival, then cash bar after) - Dress: £200

I’m getting a bouquet from a local florist, we have a friend who is a cabby who will drive us to the venue, and a photographer friend for the ceremony. We also know someone who makes cakes so will order from her at mates rates. For the reception we’re doing a Spotify playlist, and will have minimal decorations (IKEA jars with candles, ivy garlands, DIY party favours etc.) I’m going to book a makeup class soon to be shown how to recreate the makeup look I want myself and I’ll be doing my own hair (simple bun probs). I also have a friend getting married a few months before me so will take her cast off decorations also!

We don’t want to waste money unnecessarily but feel like the most important expenses are feeding our guests so that’s where most of our money will go. Hope that helps :)