Weddings on a Budget

When planning weddings on a budget these 9 main areas are where you can save big money on your wedding costs and still have a day to remember.

Planning a wedding can be a big undertaking and if you want to SAVE BIG MONEY on your wedding costs you'll need to have a heart to heart talk with your fiancé to work out what's a priority for both of you.

Here are the nine main areas where you can save the most with weddings on a budget.

1. Food
2. Bar
3. Venue
4. Wedding Attire
5. Flowers
6. Photos & Video
7. Music
8. Guest List
9. Honeymoon

Reception costs are one of the biggest expenses you'll have so you need look at how you can save money on either the food and/or the bar costs. You may decide to have a buffet or cater the reception yourself.

You could also opt to have an open bar for an hour or not to serve alcohol at all. These are just a few of the cost saving measures available to you.

The venue where you're going to have the reception is also a big expense. parks, forest preserves and a home backyard are all viable alternatives to hiring a hotel or a hall.

The wedding attire particularly for the bride can also be a big investment and whilst the bride obviously wants to look and feel her best there are still ways to do that and save money. Perhaps you could consider taking a look at some Vintage Wedding Dresses.

You will also find great deals on flowers if you know where to look and what you're looking for. I've put together a list of more than 300 flowers and plants to help you with your Wedding Flowers Ideas.

Keeping your wedding on a budget also means looking to make savings with the wedding photography.

You'll also need to decide whether you want to include making a video to record the big day.

Whilst having a video is increasingly popular it can more than double your costs.

Whilst you will probably want a professional photographer for the traditional set wedding pieces, you could save money by not having them take all the pictures.

If you have several friends or family members prepared to take photos, then with a modern digital camera it's hard to take a bad photo.

I have also prepared a wedding photo shoot list, that will give you an idea of the shots you can include or exclude from your portfolio of pictures for the professional photographer. If they have a list to work to rather than having a free hand, you are more likely to be able to keep down the costs.

Providing music for the wedding reception can also be somewhere you can make big savings. Hiring a DJ or a live band can be expensive. When hiring either, consider whether you want them for the whole event or just a few hours and play you own CD's or Tapes the rest of the time.

Not that you want to offend or disappoint anyone, but you can't invite everyone to your wedding. When planning weddings on a budget a good rule is not to invite more people then you want to spend a minute with. In other words unless you have 4 hours to spare don't invite 4 x 60 or 240 guests.

Finally there is the honeymoon to think about and here you can make great savings.

Search on the Internet for 'honeymoon vacations' and 'discount travel' and book well in advance.

If you want to take the risk you could also try 'last minute vacations' or 'last minute travel deals.'

Of course you may not want to save money on your honeymoon, or take what savings you made on your wedding budget and blow it all on your honeymoon, but at least you now have a choice.

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