How this young couple saved thousands on their wedding

By Emma Dunn via SWNS

A savvy couple spent under $3,966 on their wedding - by hiring an Airbnb for the reception and ordering Domino's pizza for guests.

Jamie-Louise Phillips, 22, and Sam Phillips, 25, wanted to get married without all the "fuss" and started looking at ways they could tie the knot without breaking the bank.

The couple were amazed when they realized their local registry office was in Norwich Castle and spent just $356 on a legal ceremony.

They struggled to find an affordable venue for their reception and ended up hiring an Airbnb for three days for just $793.

Jamie and Sam, a site engineer, decorated the garden of the Airbnb themselves - hiring furniture for $396 and buying flowers for the tables from a local farm for $112.

They decided to scrap the caterers and spend $264 on food - including $171 worth of Domino's pizza which the guests "loved".

The couple saved $22,474 on the average $26,440 wedding in the UK.

Jamie, a pastoral assistant, from Norwich, Norfolk, said: "We didn't want to be financially affected by it.

"We just looked at how budget friendly we could do it.

"Everyone said it was the nicest wedding they've been to and they said they felt so relaxed."

Jamie and Sam met four years ago on Tinder and hit it off - buying a house together in summer 2022.

They both decided to get married after years of talking about tying the knot.

Jamie said: "I was like 'let's just get married.'

"I didn't want all the fuss.

"We're so close as people - we'd never be able to keep such a big surprise.

"We agreed we'll get married in 2023.

"We went to the beach one day and he gave me a ring I'd already picked out.

"It was really casual how it happened. It felt there was no pressure."

The couple booked the registry office in January 2023 for just $356.

Jamie said: "It's in a castle. It's stunning."

Each month the couple put what they could afford towards their wedding and created their own personal touches.

Jamie designed their wedding signage on Canva and found stickers on Etsy for their wedding favors.

She found her wedding dress online on For Love and Lemons - spending just £500 on a silky gown and alterations.

Jamie said: "I'd had it pinned on Pinterest for years."

They found a local Airbnb who would allow them to have their wedding reception there.

The day before the wedding the couple set up the garden with tables, chairs and the flowers.

On August 22, 2023 Jamie got ready with her bridesmaids and did a first look with Sam in the garden.

She did her own make-up and spent $105 on her lashes and nails and $277 on her bouquet flowers from local business Posy Flwrs.

She said: "It was the most relaxed morning.

"We spent an hour apart. We drove to the venue together."

The couple then had some photos taken around the city - costing them just $198 - before getting back to the Airbnb for around 4pm.

Jamie said: "I loved doing the city walk - everyone was clapping us along.

"We originally wanted a pizza van.

"It would cost $1,322 plus.

"In the end, we ordered Domino's.

"Everyone loved it. It was such a good idea.

"In the heat I wanted something light.

"We did bring your own bottles if people wanted to drink."

Their best man did the rest of their photos for free and the couple wrapped up the night at 8pm.

Jamie said: "You don't have to source stuff with the word wedding in.

"It hikes the price up.

"Our wedding fit us.

"It wouldn't fit everyone."

Breakdown of costs:

• Registry office cost - $356
• Airbnb cost for three days - $793
• Wedding dress - $661
• Sam's suit - $198
• Venue flowers - $112
• Bouquet flowers - $277
• Furniture hire - $396
• Photographer - $198
• Food and drink - $290
• Wedding signage - $66
• Favors - $105
• Other decorations - $132
• Cake from Virgo Bakery - $105
• Total - $3,957

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