Add a little luxury to your wedding – regardless of your budget…

What do you think when you hear ‘luxury wedding’? Exquisite couture gowns, seven-star venues and a huge wedding budget?

For many brides, luxury can seem just that little bit out of reach, especially when it comes to planning a wedding. But it needn’t be!

We spoke with Glenn Findlay, who’s hosting the Luxury Bridal Event, about how every bride can add a little luxury to their big day – even on a modest budget.

1. Wow with one big idea that expresses you as a couple.

“You needn’t spend big on every. single. thing. to create a feeling of luxury at your wedding,” says Glenn. Remember the old ‘80/20 rule’? The same applies here: 80 percent of the wow factor can come from 20 per cent of your budget.

Perhaps you’re the style icons of your social group? Then a custom-designed gown in French lace and Italian silk paired with a beautifully tailored suit might be what you decide is important to you (and you can find some gorgeous off-the-rack and hire options for the bridesmaids and groomsmen for a fraction of the price.)

Or maybe you’re the couple who’s always got the coolest new tracks on your playlist? Then a really funky band and a DJ may be what guests remember about your reception (and how much non-stop fun they all had on the dance floor.)

Or perhaps you entertain like Matt Preston is coming for dinner? Then of course, the food is what you’ll want to splurge on with a modern, mouth-watering menu that will leave guests raving in months to come.

2. The same concept can be applied to styling.

Using combinations of expensive and modest details to jazz up your event will add to the overall impression of grandeur. Perhaps it’s a knockout bridal table keeping eyes glued to you all night long, while the guest tables reflect a minimalist design. Or maybe it’s tables adorned with dozens of flickering tea lights and a few eye-catching candelabras as a substitute for what can be expensive floral arrangements.

Better yet, consider a venue that doesn’t need much dressing up at all – think about ones with ornate, high ceilings, hard wood finishes and lovely big glass windows that bring stunning views in. Oh, and don’t forget to check out things like the quality of their linen and even the state of their bathrooms.

3. Use stationery for consistency.

From the invitations and menus to table settings and your signature cocktail (and don’t forget the thank you cards), a well chosen font and monogram used consistently will link all your styling elements together to give your event star quality (and that means steering clear of Brush Script!)

So, as you can see, luxury is not something that has to be reserved for a cashed-up few, in fact , “luxury is something every bride deserves,” says Glenn.

Whether you have a big budget or a more modest one, at the Luxury Bridal Event in Sydney and Melbourne in May, there are plenty of glamorous ideas to be seen and experienced, including a luxury precinct featuring aspirational brands such as Palazzo Versace, BMW, Ghalia Lahav, Harrolds and, for the first time ever, Bridal at David Jones.

Bridal at David Jones, which offers premier Australian and international labels such as Oscar De La Renta, Monique Lhuillier and Steven Khalil will be on show in the European-style fashion parades also exhibiting the latest trends in wedding wear, bridal party outfits and lingerie.

Visitors can take part in free wedding masterclasses where they’ll be able to learn from the industry’s best, and every guest will be in the running to win part of a $50,000 pool of prizes.

There’s also more than 160 wedding displays of everything from photographers and venues to cars, cakes and celebrants, including Easy Weddings, so be sure to come by and say ‘hi’!