Planning A Wedding On A Budget

The first step in planning a wedding on a budget is to set a budget, and STICK TO IT! That is the most important part. How to do you set a budget when you want the perfect wedding?

1. Figure out what you can realistically afford. Create a seperate savings account just for the wedding expenses. **Hint direct deposit a portion of your paycheck into this savings account.
2. Make a list of what is most important to you for your wedding. Example, good food, good music, fancy reception hall, etc.
3. Shop around! You wouldn't buy the first house you saw so don't go with the first vendor that you meet. Interview at least three vendors in each category, ex. dj, caterer, photographer, etc.
4. Think outside the box. Untraditional weddings tend to be the best ones. Hold your reception at a favorite restaurant, old country barn, night club or acquarium.
5. Check out the sales. Chain stores such as Macy's, David's Bridal, JC Penny and AC Moore are always having sales. You will be surpised at the fabulous deals you can get for your bridal dress or bridesmaids dresses. Also check out craft
stores for deep discounts on candles, mirrors, tiaras, invites and tulle.

Stick with these 5 steps and you will stay on target to having a budget wedding.

If you are paying for your brides maids dresses you will want to keep the costs down, especially if you have a large bridal party. Even if you are not paying for them, you should be considerate of your brides maids wallets. Not everyone has a deep bank account and remember they are doing this because they love you.

Show them some love by keeping the costs down. A great way to do this is by asking for a discount at the bridal shop (if you are getting all the dresses in the same place).

Shop at stores such as David's Bridal, JC Penny, Macy's, and Sears. Because these are not specialty stores, the prices are cheaper. Hit up outlets stores like Group USA. Shop online. Shop during prom season when these stores have great bargains.

Get the girls together one day and go store hopping. Compare prices and choose the best deal.

When your strapped for cash and planning a wedding, fresh flowers can seem like money down the drain. Want to keep the flower costs down?

1. Make your own bouquet. Get your brides maids together for an all girl evening and let them pick their own flowers, ribbons and embellishments.
2. Use local flowers. Exotic flowers that have to be flown in from another country will eat up your wedding budget. Stick to flowers that are in season and in your state.
3. Grow your own flowers. If your wedding is a year or two away this can be a great option.
4. Don't tell the florist that you want wedding flowers. The word wedding seems to inflate the price on most items.
5. Don't use flowers for the centerpeices, instead opt for candles, mirrors, cake/cupcake. Be creative!

Fresh flowers are beautiful but can be very costly. Use the tips above alone or mix and match them for maximum savings.

Click Here for more wedding flower ideas

Catering costs make up about half (if not more) of your budget, especially if you wedding is being held at a reception hall.

A way to save some money on wedding catering is by having an early wedding. A morning or mid day wedding costs less to feed your guests.

Are you set on having an evening wedding, try these wedding reception ideas. A cocktail reception, desert reception, or a champagne and cake reception.

Be sure to inform your guests before hand if you will not be feeding them so that they can eat before the event.

Having a wedding planner is heaven sent. They help take some stress away from you by negotiating with vendors and setting up appointments. But what if you can't afford a wedding planner (most of us can't)??

All hope is not lost. What you need is a good friend or close family member and solid wedding planning software to keep you organized and on track.

Wedding planning software such as iDo Wedding Couple Edition, keeps track of wedding gifts, setting chart, guest list, RSVP list, invitations, check lists and much more.

With this software you no longer have to rumage through your notes that are written on magazines, napkins and multiple catering menus. Keep all of your wedding day information in one place.

Look at the price tag of a wedding dress and it is enough to give you a heart attack. I am hear to tell you that you don't have to mortgage your house to afford the wedding dress of your dreams.

If a simple dress that you can play up with some cool accessories is your thing think about shopping for your wedding dress in the bride maids section. You can find dresses in many styles such as strapless, halter and spaghetti straps.

A great way to make this type of simple dress is to pair it with a long veil or jeweled tiara. Sparkling jewelry (maybe with some color) will add an interesting element to your look.

Your wedding dress can be anything you make it. Thinking traditionally can be costly. Always think outside of the box.

The price of a wedding cake is enough to make you gag. Yea, they are beautiful to look at, but half the time so much goes into how they look and not enough time into how they taste.

Most basic wedding cakes start out at $2 per slice. If you have a 100 person reception you are looking at $200 for cake, FOR CAKE!!!!!

One delicious alternative is to serve cupcakes instead. They are small and convenient for your guests to eat. Cupcake are fun can be made in different cake flavors, frostings and decorations.

Think cupcakes are too childish, then opt for one wedding cake on each table. This cake does not have to be elaborate and can double as the centerpiece(saving you even more money). The good thing about this idea is that like the cupcakes you can do a variety of flavors and styles.

Want to stay as traditional as possible while still saving some money? Purchase a small traditional wedding cake, but also purchase a large sheet cake to serve to your guests. I recently did this at my parents wedding and it worked perfectly. We bought a sheet cake from Costco (they carry delicious cakes) and no one had a clue.

Elaborate cakes are beautiful to look at, but your guests are more concerned with taste, trust me.