An Ashby woman and her partner spent just £2,600 on their wedding by securing their venue for FREE - and buying flowers from Morrisons.

Ellie Cato, 22, and her partner, Dave, 28, wanted to tie the knot but had to stick to a tight budget after using their savings to buy a house instead.

The mum-of-two was not afraid to ask for favours and secured the venue - her village men's club function room - for free.

She wore a charity shop wedding gown - originally worn by her mum, Jenny Lyndon, 49, on her big day - and spent just £47 on four bridesmaid dresses from Shein and Pretty Little Thing.

They found a package deal for her buffet, drinks and decoration for just £900 in a Boxing Day sale.

The couple spent £2,687 in total - saving £17,313 on the average £20k UK wedding.

Ellie, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, and who works at a café, said: "It was our day. We didn't want anything fancy.

"Everyone pitched in - I asked for people to help out."

Ellie met Dave, a buyer's assistant, in 2018 when they were both working at a hotel.

The pair were friends first before hitting it off and Dave proposed in August 2019.

A year later they welcomed their daughter, Esmae, now three, and bought their house.

In January 2022 they decided to plan their wedding.

Ellie said: "I said 'let's just get married'.

"I knew I wanted to do it as cheap as possible.

"All we cared about was the food and DJ."

Ellie was trying on her mum's wedding dress to see it would fit and overheard her parents getting emotional and knew she had to wear it.

She said: "She got it from a charity shop originally.

"It was really beautiful.

"I didn't have any alternations - it just fit."

Ellie bought her two sage bridesmaids dresses from Shein for £10 and two from Pretty Little Thing for £13.50.

Dave bought his suit from M&S for just £200 - and has re-worn it since.

She said: "They looked just as good as the ones you pay hundreds for.

"The most money I paid was for the food and decorations."

Ellie got lucky after finding a deal in the sale for a £900 wedding package for her food, drink and decorations to decorate their reception venue.

The day before the wedding Ellie bought £30 worth of flowers from Morrisons and used ribbon from eBay to make her bouquets.

On the day she did her own make-up and had a friend do her and her bridesmaids hair for just £20.

Ellie said: "I'm not a big make-up person. We just did it ourselves."

The couple got married at their local church on June 4, 2022 - and Ellie's parents kindly paid the £550 donation as a wedding gift.

They spent the rest of the night at her village men's club function room and hired a DJ for £170 - but her friends made up games for the rest of the entertainment.

Her great uncle, Mike, an amateur photographer, took the couple's snaps throughout the day for free.

Ellie said: "I asked if he'd like to take the photo for our wedding day and he was so honoured.

"They look so professional."

The couple were delighted with their wedding and said they made sure their day was special for them - not their guests.

Ellie said: "You feel royalty when it's all about you. If they don't like it, they don't like it.

"They are invited - they should feel privileged. As long as we're happy that's what matters.

"People ask 'how did you do it so cheaply?'. It's what you look at for your special day.

"People spend years saving up. You can find expensive things second-hand."

Breakdown of costs:

• Reception - free for locals with £50 deposit in case of any breakages 

• Church - £550

• Dress - free 

• Bridesmaid dresses - £47

• Morrison's flowers - £30

• DJ - £170

• Food, drinks and decorations - £900

• Groom and best man suit - £200 each from M&S

• Rings - £550

• Hair - £20

• Cake - £20

Total - £2,687