Inside couple’s £20 Wetherspoons wedding ceremony – toasting with pitchers and a bowl of chips
A couple have told how they spent just £20 on their wedding reception – at their local Wetherspoons. Newlyweds Michelle and Brad Russell wanted a low-key do with just 16 paying guests after tying the knot at a nearby registry office.
The pair, who met in 2024, pulled some tables together and shared a pitcher of vodka with a Monster Energy drink. They then had a £14.99 “small plates” deal of halloumi fries, chicken wings and chips at The Thomas Ingoldsby in Canterbury, Kent.
Mum-of-two Michelle, 47, said she only spent £20 all day, adding: “We both like going to Wetherspoons. It’s cheap and cheerful. At the end of the day, it is just about you two. Don’t knock it because it was a good laugh.”
The couple toasted their guests with a vodka pitcher(Image: KennedyNews/MichelleRussell)
The couple, who met on Facebook Dating in 2024, decided to plan a low-key, budget-friendly wedding after getting engaged in December last year.
Civil servant Michelle, of Dover, bought her wedding dress for £35 from Shein, shoes for £20 from Amazon and a £22 wig from TikTok shop. The biggest expense of the day was £590 on the registry office.
The couple decided to ditch the traditional first dance and speeches for a more ‘relaxed’ nuptials before spending their wedding night upstairs in the pub’s hotel, which cost a further £157
The pair got married at Canterbury Registry Office(Image: KennedyNews/MichelleRussell)
Michelle said she ‘can’t speak highly enough of Spoons’ – and urged other brides to consider a budget-friendly option. She said: “We both knew we didn’t want a massive wedding. Brad’s not really one for crowds and making a big display.
“If people are coming to our wedding and paying for their own food, they’re not going to want to pay that much per head.
“We both like going to Wetherspoons every now and then anyway and no one ever complains about the food, and they cater for people who are gluten free and everything. It’s one of our favourites. It’s cheap and cheerful. We go three or four times a month.
The small plates included halloumi fries, chicken wings and a bowl of chips(Image: KennedyNews/MichelleRussell)
“That was basically the makeshift reception. We didn’t want to do a first dance or anything like that anyway. I booked a room above the Spoons for that night and we got ready in the room too. We ordered the £14.99 small plates deal because I wasn’t that hungry.
“The most I spent on my card was probably £20 for a meal and a couple drinks. We just pulled a few tables together and enjoyed the evening. People ordered burgers and chicken wings. It was nice and easy, no standing up at the bar and ordering.
“It was so relaxed and easy. A lot of people in the pub said ‘congratulations’ and it was really sweet. Everyone was wishing us the best. I did a couple drinks from the Candy Ros pitcher. I think we did a toast with them.”
They shared a small plates deal(Image: KennedyNews/MichelleRussell)
As well as having a budget-friendly reception, Michelle saved cash on her wedding outfit too – forking out just £35 on her Shein dress and £20 on Amazon shoes.
Michelle said: “That was the first dress I bought and I really liked it. I just thought some of the dresses from Shein are amazing. It came and I loved it.
“Getting married can be done on the cheaper side if you just stick to the bare minimum. Just forget about everyone else. At the end of the day, it is just about you two. And everyone else just wants you to be happy as well.
Michelle saved money by buying her dress from Shein and shoes from Amazon(Image: KennedyNews/MichelleRussell)
“I can’t speak highly enough of Spoons. I’d recommend it! And you won’t put yourself in any debt. Don’t knock it because it was a good laugh. It was cheap, cheerful and catered for people with dietary restrictions without the stress.”
THE TOTAL COSTS – £1,200
£590 on the registry office£108 on the marriage registration and certificates£75 on her wedding dress, shoes, tiara and veil£22 on a wig£30 on flowers£14 on nails and lashes£40 on bridesmaid dresses£150 on Brad’s outfit and shoes£157 on their hotel£20 on their meal and drinks.
