We only spent £1,500 on our wedding day by having the reception at TGI Fridays and telling guests they had to pay for their own meals
A couple spent just £1,500 on their wedding by holding a reception at TGI Fridays and telling guests they had to pay for their own meals.
Jake Richardson, 32, and bride Natalie, 31, from Prestwich, Manchester, chose the American restaurant chain for their wedding reception because they had their first date there 10 years earlier.
The newlyweds were joined by 60 guests at the unique reception, along with other strangers who also happened to be dining at the restaurant.
Speak with The sun Jake said: ‘We could never afford a luxury wedding, so we’d rather save money for a house. Our first date was there, so we thought, “Let’s just end it there.”
Couple spend just £1,500 on wedding reception at TGI Fridays – telling guests to pay for their own meals
‘This was TGI’s first wedding and that is quite special. We had speeches, a photographer and it was decorated like a traditional wedding.”
The couple’s wedding day ended up costing them just £1,560, while the average wedding in Britain usually costs £19,184, according to Bridebook.
Natalie’s beautiful wedding dress cost £900, which was the couple’s biggest expense.
The couple chose the American restaurant chain for their wedding reception because they had their first date there 10 years earlier
The bride also ditched the traditional heels and opted for comfort on her big day, with white trainers.
Natalie and Jake officially married at Rochdale Register Office, netting them a total of £360.
A further £300 went towards the bride’s hair and make-up for the wedding and streamers to decorate their TGI Friday reception.
The couple’s unconventional wedding seemed to be a hit with their guests and TGI Fridays also enjoyed being part of their big day.
Rhiannon Scarlett, from TGI Friday’s, said: “We’re thrilled to have been part of Jake and Natalie’s story.”
However, asking guests to pay for their own food can be divisive.
Previously, a bride-to-be was branded rude when she said she was considering asking loved ones to join in instead of giving presents.
She added that she was considering a dry wedding and was considering purchasing food trucks or a catering roastery to reduce costs.
Hundreds weighed in on the issue, with many sharing their outrage at the suggestion.
‘If you invite people, you have to feed them. They shouldn’t have to give gifts either because just flights and accommodation to get there is enough in my opinion,” one woman said.
“Absolutely bad manners to ask guests to pay for their own meal,” said another.
‘Oh no, it’s really difficult to ask people to pay for their own meals. You may have to save in another area to pay for the food,” wrote another.