Weddings on a Budget - You do not Have to Go into Debt!
These days it is common to find many couples paying for their own wedding using their own funds. However, you do not have to spend a fortune or go into debt to have a beautiful wedding. Here are some tips to help you stay within your wedding budget.
By Nina Greene
Traditionally, the bride's family paid for the costs of a wedding, while the groom would incur the expense of the honeymoon. These days it is common to find many couples paying for their own wedding using their own funds. However, you do not have to spend a fortune or go into debt to have a beautiful wedding.
Determine the amount of your budget and stick to it. Keep track of all your expenses and receipts in a folder or binder so that you can stay organized and accurately keep track of where your money is going. Here are some helpful tips to help you stay within your wedding budget.
Wedding Dress
Avoid overly elaborate dresses, because they will be more expensive.
Choose a floor sample dress and just have it dry cleaned if necessary.
Look for your dress during prom and homecoming or consider wearing a bridesmaid dress. You can find a beautiful white or cream-colored dress that would be perfect for a wedding at a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding dress.
Look at consignment shops and the classified ads. Wedding dresses are only worn once generally, so you can get gently used dresses at a huge cost saving.
Reception
Keep the number of guests down. You and the groom should look at the first draft of the guest list and carefully consider who can be removed.
Have a cash bar instead of an open bar; or you can also just provide wine and beer to keep the costs down.
Hold the ceremony and reception in the same location. You will be able to cut the cost of the location for the ceremony, decorations, and transportation to the reception site.
Flowers
Purchase your flowers wholesale and just pay for the labor of a professional florist to arrange them.
Arrange the flowers yourself. A bouquet made of all roses with a little eucalyptus filler and tied with ribbon makes a stunning bouquet, and you do not need to be a professional to put this together.
Photography
Find a photographer with reasonable hourly rates and pay only for the time to do your formal poses. You can then designate friends or family to take the candid shots throughout the rest of the reception.
Put disposable cameras at each table with a note asking guests to take pictures to help you capture memories.
Invitations
Print your own invitations using your home computer. Visit your local arts and crafts store or search online and purchase a do-it-yourself invitation kit.
Miscellaneous
Make your own wedding favors. Wrap up Jordan almonds or other candies in lace and tie with ribbon pre-printed with your names and wedding date.
Keep the number of chosen bridesmaids and groomsmen to a minimum, or choose not to have them at all. This will keep the rehearsal dinner cost down, and eliminate the need to buy groomsmen and bridesmaid gifts.
About the Author:
Nina Greene is owner of AWeddingToPlan.com, and writes on a variety of subjects. To learn more about this topic, Nina recommends that you visit http://www.AWeddingToPlan.com. Article Source: Adult Escapes - http://www.AdultEscapes.com
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Article added 01/09/08, last revised 01/09/08.
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