So, you finally popped the question over Christmas and New Year and admit it, a certain amount of panic has now set in. With most of us struggling to get through the cruellest month of January, your wife- to-be has gone into overdrive. As soon as she’d fetched ‘The Wedding Book Volumes I and II’, down from the attic, dusted them off (because she never thought you’d ask) and revealed her dream wedding to you, that’s when the palpitations started.

Don't rule out a church wedding if you're on a budget, just choose your date carefully and you can cut costs elsewhere

But have no fear! The HugoFox.com team is ready to come to the rescue. There are so many great local offers currently running on our listings page that can help you handle the mounting budget. This isn’t a wedding on the cheap; this is getting the very best, locally, and for less. With this in mind, we’ve also put together a list of top five tips for to give your bride the wedding of her dreams without the budget from hell.

1. Start with the date. Everybody goes for a Saturday during the summer but why not a Friday in February or even a Sunday in September? Often venues are cheaper if you’re willing to be flexible with not only the date but the day. Having a wedding during the week can also help you keep the guest-list down as not everyone will be able to take time off. A clever way to whittle down the numbers!

2. When it comes to the venue, why not get creative? Are there parks or gardens where you could see yourself getting married? What about a beach wedding? Providing the British summertime behaves, that doesn’t have to be restricted to marrying in the Bahamas. Why not have a vintage day out by the seaside and get married at the same time! The wedding breakfast could be replaced by a picnic with everyone bringing their own food, Punch and Judy can entertain the children and in place of a toast, why not brave the waves in your own his ‘n’ hers bridal swimming costumes! If you fancy a more educational route, how about a museum setting and ask everyone to bring a packed lunch? Do you have friends with large houses and is it time to call in a favour which could make for a very personal and intimate setting? If you are set on a church wedding then try and book it straight after an occasion such as Christmas, Easter or even Harvest Festival as the church will already be beautifully decorated at no cost to you!

3. When it comes to catering there are lots of ways to reduce costs. Avoid the traditional sit-down meal and opt for a buffet

Take advantage of the January sales and check out what deals are on offer from your local high street. Visit HugoFox.com 'Offers' for more...

or hog roast instead. You could even have a ‘pot-luck’ meal where everyone brings a different dish. Lots of couples now have a simple ceremony and then everyone moves to a nearby restaurant or pub setting for a more informal wedding breakfast. Everyone orders from the menu and pays for their own meal. If you’d like to contribute, why not provide champagne and desserts?

4. For the bride, the focus is going to be on the dress. She may have her heart set on looking like a princess but there are ways to find the right dress without blowing the budget. What about a vintage option? Many people become blinkered when it comes to a ‘bridal gown’ and can’t see that there are some beautiful garments around that can also be worn on the big day. You don’t have to go for bridal couture; not many budgets will allow for it. If this is the one area you don’t want to scrimp on then how about asking the bridesmaids to wear a pretty dress of their choosing? They don’t necessarily have to match. If you do want the more traditional look then do you know anyone who could make the dresses for you? Make sure you agree on a price for the finished garments, as paying by the hour when you’re coordinating several bridesmaids can start to become very costly.

5. Don’t be afraid to DIY. Often a relative will be more than happy to make tiers for the wedding cake and then if needs be, you can just pay to have it iced and decorated. If you plan ahead, there’s no reason you can’t grow your own flowers and pick them fresh the day before. There are also lots of places to find wild flowers which can look extremely pretty. Just don’t start clambering amongst your neighbours’ rose bushes without permission! For bridal make-up, many department stores will offer free sessions but if you can find a talented friend, then even better. The same goes for hair. With a bit of practice ahead of time, you could have a salon style for a fraction of the price.

With a little bit of HugoFox.com cunning, you can have the wedding all sewn-up in time for Valentine’s Day and she’ll be none the wiser. In fact, she’ll be grateful for your wedding savvy as it means you can spend more on the dress. For a great head-start, take a look at some of the brilliant HugoFox.com offers that are currently running:

The Strings aloud String Quartet has an offer that will be music to your ears. It’s offering a £40.00 discount for all bookings made for 2012 weddings in January and February 2012.

Choose your date carefully and you could enjoy a bargain wedding breakfast.

There’s a chance to find a perfect wedding gift at Bay Tree Cookware. Their stunning range has everything from knives to candelabra. They’re currently offering 10% off all orders placed online and collected from the showrooms in Overton, Hampshire.

Bloom 2 in Kingsclere is offering 10% off all purchases in January 2012, including wedding bookings and they’ve even got the chairs covered at a discounted rate.

Booking your catering early will really pay off. The Purple Olive will provide fresh food tailored to suit your occasion, all delivered with a personal touch. Check out our Offers page to see what you could save.

There are hundreds of business listed with HugoFox.com who could help you sort out every aspect of your big day. Why not take advantage of the January discounts and see how little a big day with all the trimmings really can cost!