Last updated 10:30, Thursday, 07 August 2008

With the average cost of a wedding in the UK reaching a staggering £15,244, including the reception (£5,000) and the honeymoon (£4,500), many brides are being forced to become expert budgeters, planners and nifty bargain hunters.

Credit crunch: Even the most careful savers are feeling the pinch

In the current climate, even the most careful savers are having to cut back.

Online wedding website provider weddingpath.co.uk has put together the top money-saving tips:

Avoid the peak wedding season: Most weddings take place from May to October, so you could save across the board by getting married during one of the quieter months.

Daylight savings: Reception halls charge the highest fees for 7pm on a Saturday night. Any other time is guaranteed to be a bargain.

Try booking a Sunday brunch reception or, if late-night drinking is important, then go for a Friday.

Cut the cake: For smaller weddings, why not use a faux bottom for the lower two tiers of the bridal cake? It will look good for the pictures, but not cost the earth.

For bigger weddings, choose a smaller version of your dream cake and then get sheet cake in the same flavour as the wedding cake. It can be cut in the back and served to guests. They’ll never notice!

Foliage: How many of the guests know what kind of flowers are in season at any given time of year?

Stay with what’s in season, use more greens and fewer blooms. Roses are always available, but brides should steer clear of floral-intensive holidays such as Mother’s Day, when high demand will drive up costs.

Don’t feel the need to adorn the church with fresh flowers. People expect churches to be less ornate, and they’ll spend a lot more time at the reception.

The dress: Wedding dresses can cost thousands of pounds, but you can hire one at a fraction of the price. Consider choosing dresses that the bridesmaids can wear again at other formal occasions which would give better value.

The party: Catering is a major cost, so limit the official reception to a few people and then have a party in the evening for others.

Enquire first, then announce the wedding: Firms in general seem to add extra charges because you’ve announced it’s for a wedding.

Try and agree fees for services such as limo hire, hair and beauty before letting them know it’s for a wedding.

Photography: Hire a photographer just for the formal photographs. Let your guests do all the photography work for you at the reception.

Phone a friend: Think carefully through your list of friends – any musicians, bakers, florists, artists, hairdressers, photographers or a cousin with a flash car? Save pounds by asking your friends to help. They’ll be thrilled to be involved and will add that personal touch to your proceedings.