Making Your Wedding Fabulous, Even on a Budget

February 16, 2008 | By Lise Rina In Budgeting Tips |

Any bride can tell you that weddings can be expensive. Before you stress out over the nickels and dimes take into account some of these budgeting tips to help you to get what you want for your wedding.

The time you choose can help you save. Carefully plan the time of your reception to be at a time when you do not have to serve a meal. Planning a wedding during the afternoon or mid-morning is much cheaper, food wise. You can serve appetizers and skip the main course, which will be much less expensive.

Make some of your wedding items yourself. If you’re especially crafty, you can create your own favors, centerpieces, and even possibly bouquets and other decorations saving you a lot of money. The supplies themselves can usually be found inexpensively at craft stores; it’s the labor that you are paying the big bucks for.

Keep your guest list small. Remember the more people you invite and feed, the more money you will put out. A small intimate wedding can be just as enjoyable as a large one; you can even skip the huge party and just go for a small reception. Having the wedding and the reception at the same location can also save you money.

Plan ahead. Most items you will purchase for your wedding will require either half payment upfront or a deposit. Remember this while planning so that you will not be caught in a difficult place. In addition, if you plan you can shop sales, or purchase items a little bit along to help stretch your budget.

Choose attire carefully. Sure, the dress in the magazine looks wonderful but you can just as easily find something beautiful in a local resale shop, during a big sale or even have something sewn especially for you.

Skip the entertainment. You do not have to entertain your guests. They came to celebrate with you and should understand doing so how you choose. You can just as easily have a special time to mingle with your guests during the reception rather than going all out with a big band or by hiring a DJ. Do not overdo and you can surely stick to your budget.

The ways to spend wisely on your wedding are unlimited. If you have other budgeting tips, please share it here.