With research showing that the average wedding now costs around £14,000 (the equivalent of a 10% deposit on a £140,000 home) many couples are starting married life with an unnecessarily huge debt around their necks.



However, there are ways that you can get the wedding of your dreams - without breaking the bank.

For example, simple but effective ways to save money on wedding costs include:

• Dispensing with a photographer and placing disposable cameras on tables at the reception so that the guests can capture those special moments. Or, use digital cameras. That way you can limit the amount of pictures that you have to take while making them easy to reproduce. Digital camera technology can make even an amateur take professional looking pictures. These prints can even later be used to create thank you cards after the event that are personalised and show the guests and/or the bridal party.

• Serving the meals buffet style, asking people to forego wedding gifts in favour of bringing a dish

• Decorating the reception venue yourself using readily available items such as white Christmas lights weaved through plants or candles and candle holders - items that can easily be bought in pound shops

• Not paying for extras like waiters/waitresses, bartenders etc. but asking friends or family members to do it instead as a wedding gift to you

• Using local high school and college bands to get much cheaper prices if you want a live band. If it's a DJ you want, you can find good amateur DJ's at local events or even by word of mouth

By using a bit of imagination - and getting people to help – you could save yourself a fortune on your big day, meaning you can start married life with a healthier bank balance.