| One of the first things you have to do as soon as | | | | street like M & S?. Another option can be |
| you decide on the date of your wedding is to set | | | | the sample sales of designer labels. You can find |
| a budget. Be realistic when you are setting a | | | | some perfect dresses in very low prices and the |
| budget. Try not to underestimate things like music | | | | only thing that might need to do is to take them |
| and food and always allow a 10% extra calculated | | | | to be dry cleaned. |
| on the total cost of the budget for the | | | | Flowers can also add a significant percentage on |
| unexpected extras. | | | | the budget. Instead of having lots of small |
| The following are a few points that you should | | | | arrangements on each table try to have larger |
| have in mind when you are setting your budget: | | | | arrangements on a few tables and lots of candles. |
| Season can play an important role. Even though | | | | This will create a more romantic atmosphere and |
| winter might seem to be the cheapest season | | | | it certainly will be cheaper. Ask your florist what |
| (except December which is considered to be high | | | | seasonal flowers are available on the period of |
| season because of Christmas) you should not | | | | your wedding and use those to create your |
| forget that the length of the day plays an | | | | bouquet and your table centerpieces. |
| important role in the overall costs. The longer the | | | | Photographs are a must to keep the memories |
| guests have to stay the more things you should | | | | alive for the years to come. A good way to |
| prepare in order to keep them entertained. For | | | | minimise the cost is to provide the photographer |
| example instead of having your ceremony in the | | | | with a list of the photos that you want to |
| morning and your dinner reception in the evening, | | | | capture. By this you will limit the hours of the |
| try to have your ceremony later in the day. | | | | formal photos and as a result the photographer |
| Book your venue well in advance in order to | | | | charge. Ask your friends to continue take photos |
| benefit from the current prices; if your planning to | | | | for all those extra moments. |
| get married in 2011 and you have already chosen | | | | Save money on the wedding cake by buying it |
| the venue it will be wise to book it from now to | | | | from M & S and have your florist to |
| benefit the prices of 2009. | | | | decorate it with fresh flowers either the same or |
| Try to negotiate with the venue to waive their | | | | similar with the ones that you are going to use on |
| hire charge based on a minimum spend. There are | | | | your bouquet and your table arrangements. |
| lots of venues that are willing to do this. | | | | Alternatively you can have a family member or a |
| Keep the ceremony costs down by being careful | | | | friend who is good on baking to bake your cake. |
| with your requests. Usually there is additional | | | | And finally... |
| charge for choir and bells at the church. | | | | For those couples that made the choice to get |
| The wedding dress can take a good percentage | | | | married abroad, a wedding planner with plenty of |
| of the wedding budget. If you want to buy a new | | | | knowledge will be able to save you money |
| dress but your are tight on money a good | | | | because he or she will be able to get you better |
| solution would be to buy your dress at the end of | | | | deals on suppliers. Additionally by dealing with all |
| the previous season, usually September, because | | | | the legalities involved you will avoid the costly |
| during that period usually a sale is taking place. | | | | journeys back and forth. |
| Another solution would be to try and find your | | | | Buying a wedding package that everything is |
| ideal dress at vintage shops. | | | | included from the flowers, ceremony, wedding |
| Have you thought of borrowing your mothers or | | | | breakfast to the accommodation will save you a |
| your grandmothers dress and alter it to suit your | | | | respectable amount rather than trying to book |
| unique style? How about trying shops at the high | | | | everything individually. |