Wedding Budget Planning: Discover Our Affordable Wedding Packages

While planning your wedding is an exciting time, maintaining a clear budget ensures your big day remains both memorable and financially manageable. Setting a clear, well-structured budget from the beginning helps you to avoid unexpected expenses.

We provide affordable wedding packages that are truly unforgettable. Check out our guide to creating your ideal wedding budget for 2026 and beyond.

Sarah Horton Photography

Wedding Essentials: What to Prioritise First

Before exploring the exciting extras—like entertainment, styling, or favours—it's important to first budget for the core elements of your wedding day: the venue, the registrar, and the catering. These are the essential building blocks that shape your day.

1. The Venue Hire

Alcumlow Wedding Barn operates on a flexible pricing model influenced by several factors, including time of year, day of the week, and seasonality. This allows couples greater freedom to tailor their day around their budget.

Our wedding brochure details our full venue hire pricing and options. Being flexible with your chosen date—opting for a midweek or off-peak season—can result in significant savings without compromising on quality.

2. Registrar Fees

One common budgeting mistake is overlooking registrar fees, which are an additional cost from your venue hire. These fees are essential for legalising your marriage and must be factored into your overall budget.

At Alcumlow, we fall under Cheshire East Registrars, and we offer a seamless service that helps align your wedding date with registrar availability. Our team can check dates and guide you through the booking process—saving you time and simplifying the admin.

3. Wedding Catering Costs

Food and drink play a huge role in shaping your guests’ experience and making your day feel truly special. That’s why we partner with award-winning caterers Ridgway, who offer everything from traditional wedding breakfasts to relaxed BBQ feasts.

As part of every enquiry, we send out two detailed menu options so you can get a clear idea of pricing from the outset and factor these costs in to your overall budget.

4. Framing Forever: Wedding Photography Tips

Your wedding is full of once-in-a-lifetime moments you’ll want to remember forever—which is why professional photography is well worth the investment.

While it may seem like an extra cost, choosing a skilled photographer ensures you’ll have timeless memories captured beautifully. At Alcumlow, we’ve curated a trusted list of photographers we’ve worked with over the last decade—including award-winning Cheshire photographer Sarah Horton. Couples booking with us gain exclusive access to special offers from Sarah, making quality photography more accessible. Click here to learn more.

5. Book with Confidence: Flexible Payment Solutions for Affordable Wedding Packages

We understand that finding the right venue is a big moment—and an important financial decision. To make the process as smooth as possible, we offer a complimentary 7-day hold on your chosen date. This gives you time to confirm details and check finances without the pressure of an immediate deposit.

When you're ready to book, a deposit is required to secure your wedding date, with flexible payment plans available depending on your timeframe and preferences. Our experienced team is here to offer transparent guidance, budget-friendly options, and support every step of the way. If you're searching for an affordable wedding venue that doesn't compromise on quality, Alcumlow is the perfect choice.

Ready to start planning your 2026 affordable wedding Contact us today to speak a private viewing.