To help make weddings more affordable for couples in Scotland, we've rounded up some cost-saving tips to consider – including venue packages, specific days of the week and flower options
(Photo: Shutterstock)
Your wedding day is undoubtedly one of the best days of your life – but it can also be the most expensive, with couples in the UK reportedly spending over £20k, according to Bridebook. That's why we're looking at ways to make your special day more affordable but still everything you've ever dreamed of.
From when to get married in Scotland to decor and outfits, these small swaps show there is simply no need to break the bank.
How much does a wedding cost in Scotland?
It really all depends on the type of venue you choose, whether they offer packages, how many guests you have and any extra add-ons you want to include.
According to Bridebook's 2025 UK Wedding Report, couples in Scotland are spending around £18,617. While UK-wide, it's thought £20,822 is the average amount to spend on a wedding (not including the engagement ring and honeymoon).
The Exchange in Glasgow is committed to providing inclusive wedding packages
How to make wedding venue hire more affordable in Scotland
Choosing your wedding venue is one of the most important decisions you'll make when wedding planning – but it can also be one of most expensive parts too.
According to Bridebook, 25-50% of your overall budget will go towards your venue and costs on average between £6k and £10k as it sets the stage for your celebration.
From castles to barns, and everything in between, find the perfect place to get married in Scotland
Here are some ways to make picking your wedding venue more affordable...
Choose a cheaper time of year to get married
As with many things, weddings are seasonal, and there are days of the week and months of the year which are more popular for getting married.
If you don’t have your heart set on a specific day, you can save a lot of money just by moving your weekend wedding to a weekday or getting married in winter.
What are the best months to get married in Scotland?
While the summer months are more likely to provide a rain-free day, you’ll pay more to get married during this peak season.
Couples who marry in May or June (peak wedding months) tend to spend between 11-15% above average on their weddings, says Bridebook. Meanwhile, couples who January or February spend around 24% less.
What’s the best day to get married?
A Saturday remains the most popular day to get married, but it also appears that many are stepping away from tradition as booking this day could cost you 7% above average, according to Bridebook.
A Friday is the most popular weekday but if you select a Tuesday or Wednesday, you could see a saving of round 21%.
Keep your wedding guestlist small
From distant cousins to plus ones, your guestlist can quickly double in size, and with pressure from parents and other loved ones to invite people it can be hard to say no.
However, hosting a large wedding can mean rising costs, primarily due to catering prices. Don’t be afraid to reduce these numbers to just your nearest and dearest, and you can always choose a smaller venue to make the decision a little easier.
This will not only make your wedding feel more personal, but you’ll also save money. In fact, as per Bridebook, couples can save 40% by hosting a more intimate day with less than 50 guests.
Dougarie Boathouse offers a wedding package that provides couples with everything they need (Photo: Arran in Focus)
What are the benefits of a wedding package?
A wedding venue that offers packages can not only help simplify things when it comes to planning, but it can also offer cost savings.
For example, unlike a blank-canvas venue which gives you free creative reign, a wedding package can cover absolutely everything if you want them to – from canapés and a cake stand, to decorations and accommodation. This will allow you to keep track of expenses as all services are in one place.
Have a look at wedding venues in Scotland that offer small, medium and large packages
One thing to note is the price of packages can change depending on the season or even the day of the week. Moving your wedding from a summer month to a winter month, or even from a Saturday to a Sunday, can save you thousands of pounds – and be enough to make that out-of-reach dream venue actually affordable.
Citation Glasgow offers twilight wedding packages (Photo: Mark Wild Photography)
Are twilight weddings cheaper?
With guests not expected to arrive until around 5pm, the big day costs can be kept a minimum with a twilight wedding.
For example, many wedding venues that offer twilight options skip out a three-course dinner and instead provide a buffet during the reception.
What's included will of course vary from venue to venue, be dependant on their specific location, plus facilities, capacity and food and drink offerings, but with the reduced number of formalities to get through means that twilight weddings can offer couples a more cost-effective alternative to their big day.
Learn more about twilight weddings for Scottish couples here
Wedding hacks to save you money
It's not just venue choices and when you get married that can save you a few pennies here and there - your decor decisions can have an impact too on your overall budget too.
(Photo: Pinterest)
Budget-friendly wedding decoration ideas
From flower centrepieces to custom signage, there are many easy wedding DIYs you can do at home with hardly any equipment. Not only will it save a bit of money but also adds a more personal touch to your day.
DIY wedding centrepieces
For example, if you're having long tables at your reception make the most of the space and decorate the middle. Artificial plants and white candles, like below, will look great in photos!
You'll need:
Glass jars and vases
A selection of artificial foliage
Small floating candles and pillar candles
A fabric table runner
Fairy lights
DIY from: @emily_kopp
Choose seasonal wedding flowers
Why not check with your wedding florist and ask which flowers are in season during your wedding date?
Flowers that are in season are generally more affordable and readily available, as they don't require special transportation or growing methods.
For example, if you're having a spring wedding, consider using tulips, daffodils, or hydrangeas. While winter wedding flowers will lean towards ranunculus, anemones, poinsettias, amaryllis and foliage.
Find your dream team of wedding florists in Scotland
Flowers can play a big part on your special day (Photo: Luke Bennett Photography)
Repurpose your wedding decor
A floral arch that you use to decorate your ceremony aisle is a great example as this can be moved to dress the room for the evening.
After the vows, pop the prop behind the top table where you’ll be sitting at dinner (and hang a personalised neon sign on it for extra cool points).
Find out how to repurpose your wedding decor from our experts
Wedding venue decor hire
While some venues provide basic decor, many couples want to add their own touch and bring decorations. There are lots of DIY decor options if that’s your cup of tea, but although this keeps costs down, it's time intensive.
Hiring items gets rid of this problem, and it allows you to get things you couldn’t make yourself or would be too expensive to buy. Neon signs and large light-up letters are popular choices for weddings.
Many vendors will even set up and take down the decor on the day, giving you one less thing to worry about.
How much do wedding outfits cost?
There's no doubt about it – wedding dresses and groomswear (whether you decide on a suit or kilt), can be expensive. And that's before you even consider your spending on bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen outfits, or looking at options for the mother of the bride/groom.
According to Bridebook, the average UK wedding dress costs £1,309, while grooms will spend £764 on their outfit, so any way to cut costs is great. Here are some top tips...
(Photo: Shutterstock)
Should I rent a kilt for a wedding or buy one?
While there are many pros to buying a kilt (you'll have it for life and can choose from a bigger selection of tartan), hiring one will ultimately be a more cost-effective option.
It also works well if you want the groomsmen all in the same tartan, and you can also hire suits too. Many Scottish groomswear suppliers have lots on offer for dressing both the groom and his wedding party.
Can you hire a wedding dress in Scotland?
A wedding dress can be a very sentimental thing for some people and is something they want to keep for the rest of their life. But, with ASOS bridal outfits available to rent from Hirestreet (as well as other retailers), renting could save you a lot of money. While there are limited in-store boutiques that offer this in the UK, there are other online options to rent from, such as By Rotation.
Or, if you’re looking to make your money work even harder, you could consider selling your wedding dress after the big day. Not only will this option free up space in your house, it could give another bride the chance to wear a beautiful gown and also contribute to sustainability.
