I'm worried about the Royal Wedding. There was much talk about William and Kate having a do in keeping with the times, one that reflected the dismal state of the economy.
But however much the Royals might think they are being frugal, their frugal just isn't the same as our frugal. Kate will be arriving at Westminster Abbey (where there will be 1900 guests) in a Jag and leaving in a carriage procession accompanied by various troops on parade. There will then be at least three parties.
Kate will also have two dresses (at least). None will be exactly off the peg, and I bet she'll be stumping up for more than your average hairdresser too. Add it all up and austerity it ain't.
You might think that doesn't matter. After all, given that the Windsors are, by any measure, still rolling around in money (and William's new in-laws to be are doing just fine too) in money why shouldn't they spend it as they wish?
But for me the whole thing acts as a clear and present danger to the personal finances of every couple planning to get married in the next few years. Already the average wedding in the UK costs around £20,000 and regardless of the tough economic times we are facing, that number doesn't appear to be falling.
Instead brides around the country are letting themselves be conned into destroying their finances for the sake of "one perfect day". This is completely nuts. For most people, the cost adds up to more than a year's worth of post tax income.
So why would they spend it all on one day? Or, even worse, borrow it to spend on just one day. The average amount saved up for weddings comes to not much more than £6000, which means that, according to a survey one a few years ago, one in 10 couples ends up paying for much of their wedding on their credit cards. This is a particularly bad idea. Ask anyone at Relate and they will tell you that nothing ruins a marriage faster than financial pressures. So why use your wedding to create them?
So how can you cut the costs of getting married? The first thing to do is to ask yourself just how much of the so-called traditional wedding stuff you really want. Designers see brides coming. As do hoteliers, florists and travel agents. And they aren't just going to overcharge you for the stuff you ask for.
They're going to persuade you that all sorts of things you never knew you needed are a vital part of your big day. Like a vintage car to take you to and from the church, bespoke dresses for bridesmaids, a sit down dinner instead of a buffet, a couple of miserable doves to release after the vows (a la Katie Price and Peter Andre) and presents for the guests (a silly new "traditional" invention of the industry's).
Buy into all this and you'll end up spending thousands on things you wouldn't let anywhere near you on a normal day - and everyone knows you probably can't afford.
So when you are arranging your own wedding try as best you can to put Kate Middleton out of your mind; never agree to anything before you have asked yourself whether you really need it to make your day special or if someone else needs you to think you do; never accept a price until you have checked what the non-wedding price would be; and whatever you do, do not let wedding debt get your marriage off to a bad start.
Five ways to cut the cost of a wedding:
-Skip the professionals. Ask friends to do your hair and make up; to bake and decorate the cake; to make party favours (if you must have them); to take the photographs; make wedding stationery; and to do the videoing. Make their time their wedding present to you.
-Buy the wedding ring somewhere cheap. Gold bought at Argos is the same as gold bought elsewhere. Just cheaper. Buy the engagement ring at auction: you'll be able to get something for a few hundred quid that would have cost you thousands new. Odds are it will be better made too.
-Get married on a Friday. Venues cost massively more on Saturdays, so if you can avoid them do.
-Remember you are only wearing your dress once so don't overpay. Go to Debenhams or to a second hand shop (all these dresses have only been worn once too!). Oxfam has its own wedding dress business where you can buy beautiful dresses for £150 up and bridesmaids dresses for £20.
-Only use flowers that are in season. The further they have to fly to get to your bouquet the more they will cost.
Merryn is Editor-in-Chief of MoneyWeek.
