Bride on a budget ties the knot again

A thrifty bride from Staffordshire is set to realise her fairytale wedding dream this evening and beat the credit crunch at the same time by marrying on a budget of just £800.

Tammy Capewell always wanted to look a million dollars for her big day and is doing so with a wedding dress which cost just £7 from eBay.

The 35-year-old from Benion Road, Chadsmoor, Cannock, married husband Jason, also aged 35, 13 years ago at Cannock Registry Office.

But she always felt she had missed out on her special day and wanted to do it all over again.

Now they are to do it in style with up to 100 guests attending a marriage blessing service at St Chad's Church. The wedding at the registry office cost the couple £1,300 but due to the bargains on eBay they were able to plan a dream wedding for a much cheaper cost.

The canny bride plans to flog the goods on eBay after the wedding - even planning to make a profit.

Tammy said: "We got married in Cannock Registry Office 13 years ago. At the time we already had two children and were desperate to get married. Since then I have always wanted a fairytale wedding.

"We wanted to do it last year but because of the credit crunch we put it off. But we thought we can still get married as long as we budget carefully for it. This time, we have planned everything in eight weeks and have had lots of help from our family. All in all the day has cost only £800. When you think it cost us £1,300 for a registry office wedding we are saving £500 this time and I am having my dream wedding. It just shows what bargains can be had shopping on eBay and budgeting during the credit crunch."

The Victorian style dress was shipped over from China and her eight bridesmaid's dresses were bought from the website for a total cost of less than £100. The button hole flowers cost just £1 each.

She borrowed shoes from a friend and found flowers on eBay for £25.

The couple, who have three children Star, 16, Reece, 14 and Kane, 12, have also roped in family and friends to cater for the after-party,

which will be held at The Duck in Chadsmoor. Tammy is being chauffeured by her brother-in-law Gaz Titley in his second hand Mercedes.

She added: "A lot of people around here are strapped for cash.

"We have shown them that you can have a fairytale wedding at a fraction of the cost. We are so excited to finally be getting the wedding of our dreams.

"Our family are really proud and we have decided we will put everything back up for auction on eBay after the event."

The wedding costs

• Wedding dress £7 off eBay

• Eight bridesmaids dresses - less than £100 on eBay

• Buttonhole flowers - £1 each off eBay

• Flowers £25 second hand shop

• Shoes – borrowed

• Jewellery – gift

• Men’s suits - their own

• Car - Brother-in-law’s Mercedes

• Food - made by couple and their families

• Rose petals for flood and table, £10

By Andy Richardson