| Your wedding is truly a once in a lifetime event | | | | ceremony as well. This will save you on |
| and many brides-to-be want the wedding of their | | | | transportation costs. Ask what decorations, if any |
| dreams - but many also have a budget to work | | | | will be there at the time of your ceremony. |
| within. There's no doubt about it weddings can be | | | | Depending on the season some churches may |
| expensive - with the average wedding in the | | | | already have altar flowers. Many couples do |
| United States coming in at around $25,000. | | | | without ceremony programs - or you can print |
| Seems like a lot of cash for one day of | | | | you own from home. Eliminate the pew |
| festivities, especially when that same amount of | | | | decorations to a minimum - place simple white |
| money can be used for a down payment on a | | | | bows only on the front aisles to reserve seating |
| new house or another big-ticket item. However, | | | | for your most important guests in the front. If |
| there are plenty of ways to accommodate your | | | | you are using an officiant, shop around for prices. |
| dreams without breaking the bank or going into | | | | In some states, for a minimal fee, almost anyone |
| debt. All you need is a bit of time, flexibility and | | | | can apply to become a wedding officiant. Check |
| planning. | | | | local laws, and ask a close friend or relative to |
| Before doing anything, you should sit down with | | | | marry you. For music, check with the location if |
| your fiancé and discuss what you both | | | | you can use pre-recorded music rather than hiring |
| feel a reasonable budget is, and if your family and | | | | someone to play live music. |
| friends can help out in any way. Once you have | | | | Attire (Including Accessories) Your wedding gown |
| agreed upon a budget and who will be paying for | | | | can cost thousands - but it doesn't have to. |
| it, you will then need to make a categorized list | | | | Consider sample sales, chain bridal stores, vintage |
| for each area of your wedding. The topics to | | | | and consignment shops, borrowing your mother's |
| include in your list should be: Food / Reception, | | | | gown or even renting one. If you wedding is not |
| Flowers, Ceremony, Music, Transportation, Attire | | | | formal, consider evening gowns and cocktail |
| (including accessories), Favors and Gifts, | | | | dresses. Also plan in your budget the price of |
| Invitations and Stationary, Photography and | | | | alterations, which can run several hundred dollars |
| Videography. Out of those ten items, rank them | | | | depending on how much needs to be altered. For |
| in order of importance to you. Perhaps your | | | | accessories, consider borrowing from a relative or |
| photography is the most important aspect of | | | | friend - it can be your "something borrowed". If |
| your special day - so you will want place a larger | | | | your groom and groomsmen will be wearing |
| portion of the budget to that aspect than the | | | | tuxedos, shop rental shops that offer free tuxedo |
| other items. However, keep in mind, the food and | | | | rentals when renting in bulk. |
| reception portion of a wedding, normally take up | | | | Music |
| 45-50% of most bridal budgets. | | | | DJs are less expensive than bands and can usually |
| Now that you know what item(s) you will spend | | | | accommodate a variety of musical tastes. Check |
| the most money on and the least money on, you | | | | with DJs which are new to the market - they |
| will have to plan and comparison-shop to make | | | | may have less experience but are usually willing to |
| the best deals for the best possible prices. We | | | | negotiate pricing. If your reception location has a |
| have some suggestions for you to consider for | | | | sound system, ask if you can hook up a stereo |
| each aspect of your wedding planning that will help | | | | or MP3 music device to it. An MP3 player may be |
| trim your budget and keep costs in line. | | | | ideal - if you will know just how long your each |
| The Reception | | | | section of your wedding will be - you can plan |
| Since the reception normally takes the largest | | | | your playlists to play just the right music. |
| chunk out of your budget, you'll want to focus on | | | | Transportation |
| trimming your reception expenses as much as | | | | Sure it may be fun to have a limousine chauffer |
| possible. The biggest money saver, without having | | | | you around town, but the costs may not be |
| to compromise catering services, is to trim your | | | | justified depending on location and time. Shop |
| guest list down to close family and friends. There | | | | around to get the best prices and ask if they |
| is really no need to invite family whom you | | | | have wedding packages. Don't hire a limousine for |
| haven't seen in years, or those friends who you | | | | the entire day - you'll be spending your cash on a |
| have lost touch with. | | | | driver just waiting around most of the time. |
| Next, decide on when you would like to have | | | | Another option is to just hire the limo to drop you |
| your wedding take place. Winter weddings, | | | | off at the ceremony and drop you off at the |
| weeknight events, Friday nights and Sundays | | | | reception. If you have a friend with a nice car - |
| normally are the cheapest to book. You'll want to | | | | ask if they can drive you. |
| stay away from dates in April through September | | | | Photography and Videography |
| and holidays - those dates are more popular and | | | | Photography can be expensive - but there are |
| also more expensive to book. Also consider a late | | | | ways to trim this item to fit your budget. |
| breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or cocktail | | | | Consider hiring photography major from a local |
| party reception - they are shorter in length and | | | | college, reduce the number of hours you hire your |
| the fare is lighter - which means lighter on your | | | | photographer for, put together your own wedding |
| budget. | | | | album, ask for digital proofs rather than printed |
| When deciding on a menu, you may want to | | | | proofs. Hire a videographer to record the |
| consider family style plates, buffets, and seasonal | | | | ceremony to the beginning of the reception only, |
| recipes. Limit your alcohol choices to beer, wine | | | | or consider asking a friend or relative with a |
| and soda or create a custom cocktail just for | | | | camcorder to take your video. |
| your wedding. By limiting your food and beverage | | | | Invitations and Stationary |
| choices, you are also decreasing your budget. | | | | Although invitations are the first thing your guests |
| If a catering hall is too expensive, try booking a | | | | see, they are probably the last thing they |
| room in a restaurant, a local hall, your church, or | | | | remember. If you are having your invites |
| even a friend's backyard. If you have a friend or | | | | professionally printed, skip the engraving and go |
| relative who is a good cook, ask them to help | | | | for thermography. Or to save even more, print |
| cater the food. Your wedding is about celebrating | | | | your own invites. There are many elegant do it |
| your new union the location of the event isn't as | | | | yourself invitation kits on the market today. |
| important as who you keep company with that | | | | Favors and Gifts |
| day. Surround yourself with people you love and | | | | This area tends to be skipped out or skimmed |
| good times will be had by all. | | | | over when having a budgeted wedding. However |
| Flowers | | | | favors and gifts for your wedding party do not |
| Flowers, while beautiful accents to your day, last | | | | have to be extravagant or expensive, but they |
| the least amount of time and often cost a small | | | | should be given as a token of thanks. Edible |
| fortune. If you want to use fresh cut flowers | | | | favors are usually inexpensive - and are enjoyed |
| research which flowers will be in season for your | | | | by all. If you're crafty whip up a batch of |
| wedding and choose your arrangements | | | | chocolate or cookies place them in cello bags and |
| accordingly. If you would like a larger bouquet, let | | | | tie with a matching ribbon. For bridal party gifts |
| the bridesmaids carry simple or even single | | | | consider something useful, such a photo album or |
| flowers. Rather than having elaborate fresh | | | | picture frame. |
| centerpieces, opt for candles, glass bowls with | | | | And finally, planning a wedding is stressful no |
| stones, or even buy wholesale silk flowers and | | | | matter how large or small the budget. Take your |
| arrange your centerpieces ahead of time. With a | | | | time, relax and breathe! You're wedding will be |
| little planning ahead of time, you can trim your | | | | perfect no matter what your budget is as long as |
| floral budget in half or more. | | | | you are surrounded by the ones you love and |
| Ceremony | | | | who love you. For additional cost cutting tips, see |
| If you're having a non-religious ceremony, see if | | | | our article 101 Tips On How To Save Money For |
| your reception venue can accommodate a | | | | Your Wedding. |