With the average Irish wedding cost seemingly spiraling out of control, perhaps it is time for couples to look at what they need as opposed to what they want or what is expected of them.

Contrary to what you might hear, it is possible to throw a lavish party without the accompanying budget. No matter how amazing the wedding day turns out to be, brides in particular analyze their expenditure and point out areas where they could have improved upon in terms of budget. Below, we show you how to cut wedding costs without looking like a cheapskate!

Cutting Cost Per Guest
While cutting the guest list is one option, reducing the cost of each guest is another. A great way to cut food costs is by having a buffet instead of the traditional sit-down meal as it is possible find buffet options for as little as €15 a person. Another great tip is to use the wedding cake as dessert. Believe it or not, you will get away with asking guests to pay for their own booze. While this may seem like an unpopular option at an Irish wedding, the vast majority of guests will understand.

Electronic Invitations
Use the technological age to your advantage by ditching the old-fashioned wedding invitation process. Set up your own wedding website and email address and send out e-invites. As well as saving you cash, it is also far easier to keep track of RSVP s. If you insist on old-school invitations, buy blank ivory cards and envelopes online and save several euro an invitation.

Eliminate Expensive Wedding Gift Boxes
Although presenting each guest with a mini-wedding gift is a thoughtful gesture, many couples make the mistake of spending money on gifts that are ultimately meaningless and end up collecting dust or else they are tossed in the bin. Rather than buying little trinkets, offer food gifts such as little boxes of chocolates or even a little breakfast bag containing muffins or pots of jam. These will be used by guests and are far less expensive than the traditional fare.

Small Wedding Party
On some occasions, the wedding party goes slightly overboard with a dozen or so members that looks more like an entourage than a dignified group! You don’t really need more than 2-3 groomsmen and 2-3 bridesmaids along with the best man and maid of honor. Only those that are closest to your heart should be included in the top table because each individual involved receives thank you gifts, bouquets and of course you need to pay for the rehearsal dinner and their attire for the wedding.

Cash Instead of Gifts
This tip is already widely followed all over Ireland as the days of giving gifts are dying out. In the modern era, guests are expected to give a wedding card with cash inside so make sure you follow this new way of doing things. It helps to pay for the vast cost of the wedding and it is also easier for guests to give you money rather than worrying about purchasing a suitable wedding present.

If you can follow the above tips, a great financial burden could be lifted from your shoulders and the quality of your celebration shouldn’t suffer one iota. Be frugal when you can but above all else, enjoy your day as it should be the happiest of your life!

Can you think of other ways to cut wedding costs without offending your guests or reducing everyone’s enjoyment?

According to various journalist sources, the average cost of an Irish wedding is around €23,500 give or take a few hundred euros! Most weddings consist of a relatively lavish affair in a four or five star hotel where 100-150 guests are invited.

As it is a great occasion, the married couple enjoy the day and worry about the bill later on. Yet the ultra-rich like to take things a step further so feast your eyes on the 5 most expensive weddings ever! Please note that the figures are adjusted for inflation.

5 – Andrei Melnichenko & Aleksandra Kokotovic – €23 million

This wedding between a Russian billionaire and former beauty queen took place in France’s Cote d’Azur in 2005. Aside from the ridiculously lavish setting, the couple also managed to get Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera to perform live and the two divas were flown in on private jets!

4 – Kate Middleton & Prince William – €25 million

This was the latest Royal wedding in April 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London but not the most expensive (as you will see below) between Prince William, who is seemingly destined to one day become Britain’s king and Kate Middleton who has been dubbed a ‘commoner’ by the UK press despite coming from an extremely wealthy family. Over 90% of the cost was on security while the cake cost a piffling €60,000 and was reportedly large enough for 1,900 guests.

3 – Vanisha Mittal & Amit Bhatia – €50 million

This wedding took place in 2005 in Versailles, France and was an amazing 5 days long. A 16th century chateau was the main location along with a temporary wooden castle. The bride is the daughter of Lakshmi Mittal, billionaire steel magnate, and the groom is the owner of Swordfish Investments and is hardly short of cash! Invitations for the wedding came in silver boxes which included plane tickets and rooms at a 5 star Parisian hotel. Attendees were given gift bags filled with jewels and were treated to a live performance by Kylie Minogue.

2 – Prince Charles & Lady Diana – €84 million

This wedding took place back in 1981 and was a huge event with a reported television audience of 750 million along with 2 million spectators. Unlike the latest royal wedding, security took up less than 1% of the budget and there were 27 wedding cakes along with the main cake and it was a day that propelled Diana into the spotlight. Unfortunately, the wedded bliss was not to last and the couple parted ways in 1996.

1 – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum & Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum – €104 million

This 1979 wedding in Dubai is the most expensive wedding ever when figures are adjusted for inflation. Sheikh Mohammed comes from a family worth around €33 billion so this wedding expense was a drop in the ocean for him. A great hall was built from scratch to accommodate 20,000 guests and a 5 day national holiday was declared. Sheikh Mohammed is then alleged to have ridden his horse to every village in the area to give food to the inhabitants!

The next time you fret about the cost of a wedding, remember that things can get more expensive. Besides, the extravagance of a wedding has no bearing on the union’s success so bear that in mind before breaking the bank!

Have you or any of your friends really pushed the boat out for a wedding?

What is the most lavish wedding you have ever attended?