A couple from Prestwich, Manchester, kept their wedding costs to a minimum of $1,500 by throwing the reception at TGI Fridays and requesting guests to pay for their own food. Jake Richardson, 32, and his bride Natalie, 31, chose this unique way to save money for their future home. TGI Fridays has sentimental meaning for the pair because it was where they had their first date ten years ago.
On their wedding day, the newlyweds were joined by 60 of their closest friends and family, as well as other diners who happened to be present at the restaurant. This unique wedding reception experience was a first for TGI Fridays. The restaurant was changed into a wedding reception venue, complete with speeches, a photographer, and traditional decor.
Speaking about their decision, Jake Richardson mentioned, “We were never going to afford a luxury wedding, so we’d rather save money for a house. Our first date was there, so we thought, ‘Let’s just get it done there.’”
The couple’s frugal wedding only cost them $1,560, which stands in stark contrast to the UK’s average wedding cost of $19,184, as reported by Bridebook. Their largest expense was Natalie’s beautiful wedding dress, which amounted to $900.
For comfort on her special day, the bride chose white trainers instead of traditional heels. The official marriage ceremony took place at Rochdale Register Office, costing them a total of £360. Additional expenses covered Natalie’s hair and makeup as well as bunting to adorn their TGI Fridays reception.
The couple’s unconventional approach to their wedding day was well-received by their guests, and TGI Fridays was delighted to be a part of their celebration. Rhiannon Scarlett from TGI Fridays expressed their excitement about being a part of Jake and Natalie’s unique wedding story.
However, requiring guests to pay for their own meals during a wedding can be a contentious issue. Previously, a bride-to-be drew criticism for requesting her loved ones to donate monetarily rather than offering typical wedding presents. Many individuals objected to this notion, arguing that guests should not be required to pay for their own meals when attending a wedding.
Despite the mixed reactions to their approach, Jake and Natalie’s wedding at TGI Fridays allowed them to celebrate their love while keeping their wedding expenses to a minimum, ultimately prioritizing their future together over extravagant wedding costs.