A dream wedding is what you want, but a budgeting nightmare is what you could end up with. With today’s weddings reportedly averaging in excess of £20,000, many couples are struggling to find ways of having it all on their big day.

The race is on for more and more original ideas and the wedding that everyone talks about for months and years to come. And whilst some couples are lucky enough to be able to spend to their hearts content – or their parents if they are really lucky; many more are faced with the fact that their wedding could cost enough to give them a great start on the housing ladder or perhaps put them heavily into debt.

But for the average bride and groom to be, the pressure of funding the wow factor can be overwhelming. This is not a great way to start planning for what should be the most spectacular and enjoyable day of your lives together.

So what is the solution? When planned in advance, the answer lies in DIY. No – not knocking down the dining room wall! But a bit of craft work, a lot of support from your friends and families and a sprinkle of staying power.

Many people around you will have a particular skill which could be put to great use to dramatically cut the costs of your wedding. Does Granny bake? Could she bake your wedding cake? Does Aunty Lil sew – are dresses for the flower girls within her scope? Does the Mother in Law To Be like a bit of flower arranging? Does Uncle Harry drive a fancy Jaguar?

Put the word out right from the start that you want to involve as many people as possible in your special day. Ask for help – you might be surprised how flattering it is for a relative or friend to be asked to stick ribbon bows onto your invitations.

Even young children can be incorporated into your small army of helpers. A few glue sticks and your invitation inserts can be quickly assembled with a couple of youngsters and a production line method.

Stationery, tiaras, favours, seating plans and wedding cakes are just a few of the things well within reach of the novice crafter. With a bit of trial and error and a few Blue Peter tactics, you will surprise yourself with the results.

Quite apart from the financial considerations; the reward will also come to you in the spirit of what you have achieved. The true spirit of weddings that is – bringing together families, involving and helping each other, spending time lovingly creating something to give pleasure to others. What could be more worthwhile?

So before you get the cheque book out for that must have item, think about some of the ways you can cut back on spending, to allow you that little bit extra for those items best made by the experts.