Experts at NEXT reveal how to make savings on wedding fashion and decor

Low-budget, small-scale weddings are on the rise according to Pinterest as searches for 'small wedding ideas on a budget' are up 350% over recent months. The pressure of having a big wedding, coupled with the costs associated with the 'big day' is influencing people to opt for smaller, more intimate weddings or elopements. The number of people choosing to elope and marry privately is also increasing, with Pinterest searches for 'elopement inspiration' up 30% too.

For those looking to get married in style, BUT on a budget, the team at NEXT have compiled some tips on how to save on wedding fashion and decor.

*Wedding Dress and Groomswear
A spokesperson at NEXT suggests: "If you're planning a simple, low-budget wedding the chances are you're not looking to spend a fortune on your wedding dress. The reality is that there are plenty of white dresses available on the high street that can make really beautiful choices for a low-key wedding or elopement. Whether it's a pretty summer dress for a wedding abroad or a sophisticated slip dress that can be elevated when styled and accessorised for a registry office ceremony, you don't have to blow your budget on a dress that you're likely to only enjoy wearing once."

"Four in five (81%) married women admitted that they've only ever worn their wedding dress once, despite spending on average £1,350 on the dress itself. With most other big fashion purchases, we consider cost-per-wear, so why don't we apply the same logic to our wedding dress? "An added benefit of wearing a less traditional wedding dress is that you'll likely have more opportunities to re-wear it if you want to. Even if it means altering the dress to make it shorter or removing embellishments, you'll most likely still be saving money."

"The same is also true for the groom's outfit. A wedding suit doesn't have to cost the earth. You can buy a sophisticated three-piece suit (including suit jacket, trousers and waistcoat) from NEXT for as little as £135. Or, if you're getting married in a warmer climate you might want to opt for a slightly more relaxed linen suit, which can also be inexpensive, but look incredibly stylish."

*Budget bridal party
"If you're still keen to have a bridal party, buying your groomsmen and bridesmaids' outfits from the high street is also a good idea. The debate over who pays for the bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen's suits is often a topic of contention but this is a great option if you're looking to keep costs low for everyone involved. The current trend of coordinating bridesmaids' dresses in the same colour but different styles is easily achievable this way too, with retailers offering lots of multiway options in the same shade. This is also a great tip if your bridesmaids have ranging body types, as everyone needs to be comfortable and a one-style-fits-all all approach can be hit and miss."

*Decorations
"When it comes to decorating a space for your wedding, it's easy to get carried away and end up spending a lot of money. The key parts to focus on should be your tablescape and the setting of the ceremony. It may depend on your choice of location and venue, (as well as how simple you want it to be) but you may want to create an arch or use plinths to decorate the area."

"For your tablescape, it's easy to keep things simple whilst creating a beautifully designed set-up. Candles add instant ambience and can be reasonably priced. Using pillar candles of different heights and colours along your table for decoration is impactful."

*Flowers
"Flowers can often take up a surprisingly large chunk of your wedding budget, but that doesn't have to be the case. If you're opting for a simple ceremony, your wedding bouquet will be the main event, and any other flowers can be reserved for the tablescape. "Choosing wildflowers for wedding tablescapes is increasingly popular and picking them yourself can add a personal touch to the event. Alternatively, buying large bouquets of pre-arranged flowers and separating them into smaller bunches with a delicate vase can create a really simple but pretty wedding party aesthetic."

*Wedding favours
According to a recent YouGov survey, nearly half (47%) of Brits believe that wedding favours should be dropped³. But, if you're one of the 29% that think the tradition should be kept alive, you don't have to give out extravagant gifts. "The cost of giving 'favours' to your guests can add up. Consider alternative ways of surprising your guests, whilst maintaining a personal approach. That could mean writing a personalised letter to each guest thanking them for attending, or arranging printed photographs of you with each guest."

For more wedding inspiration, visit https://www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-category-dresses/use-occasionwear