the 5-minute rule that'll save you £££ when wedding planning
let's talk about money 💸💸
We’re not talking the fun “what’s our honeymoon budget?” kind - we’re talking boring, annoying, sneaky spend.
The kind where you blink and suddenly you're £3,000 over budget and wondering why your flower bill looks like a small mortgage. Lol.
Planning a wedding is like being handed 30 jigsaw puzzles… but none of the boxes have pictures. And you’re told: “Figure it out. Also, don’t spend too much. And make it the best day of your life.”
Let’s save the faff and too much reading. Here’s the move:
✋ Enter: The 5-Minute Rule
Before you enquire with any supplier, do this:
🕔 Set a 5-minute timer.
📝 Write down the top 3 things that matter most to you and your partner about your wedding day.
It sounds simple (because it is), but it will instantly anchor your decision-making. Suddenly, that £600 neon sign feels less shiny when you realise photography and food are your ride-or-dies.
No fancy workbook. No colour-coded spreadsheets. Just three bullet points that reflect what actually matters.
💡 Why it works
You’re about to be hit with thousands of decisions. Do you want gold chairs or wood ones? Buffet or plated? A flower wall? Signature cocktails?
If you don’t know what your priorities are, it’s so easy to say yes to things you don’t actually care about, just because someone made them look essential on Pinterest.
This rule keeps you anchored.
For example:
If great food is on your list, you won’t compromise on catering to save money elsewhere.
If intimacy and connection is your vibe, you won’t feel bad saying no to your parent’s 90-person “must-invite” list.
If killer photos are your thing, you’ll know to invest in a photographer who gets your style - not just whoever replies first.
🧠 Real-life examples
Let’s say you write this:
Our top 3:
Amazing food
A relaxed day that feels like us
A great party with music people dance to
Now suddenly:
You might decide to skip the photo booth and use a invest in live singers instead
You realise a 3 dessert options are in fact a major priority
You allocate more budget to reaching your venue the night before, because you know you want a relaxed and slow start.
But the couple next door, might be thinking this":
Our top 3:
A chic aesthetic that photographs beautifully
Lots of memory moments for our stress-free guest experience
A stunning outdoor ceremony and indoor reception - as sustainable as possible
Now for them:
A good photographer with the right rapport is KEY.
A photobooth, wedding favours and handwritten notes? Duh.
One wedding decorator who can repurpose florals like their life depends on it? Must-have.
This is how small decisions start lining up with the big picture.
🚩 What happens when you don’t do this?
Without clarity, couples tend to:
Overbook and overspend (“just in case”)
Copy other people’s weddings and feel underwhelmed
Say yes to every family member’s suggestion to “keep the peace”
Feel stressed that things look good on Instagram… but don’t feel like them
This isn’t about being super strict. It’s about being intentional.
Because when you know what matters, you can save energy, budget and brain space for the good stuff.
You’re not just hiring a vendor - you’re building a dream team. And a good supplier will love that you’re clear about your vibe.
We didn’t do this and ended up overspending around 70% of our wedding budget in our first few vendors - caterers, venue, decorators, DJs - so then had to increase the budget to make room for the remaining vendors that I knew were really important to me. This was especially the case with my outfits & HMUA for bridesmaids etc.! - Layla, March 2025 Bride