| When my wife and I were planning our wedding, we | | | | your neighborhood instead of an expensive salon or |
| were both looking for ways to save money because | | | | even have one of your bridesmaids do your hair and |
| we were also saving for a house at the time and we | | | | makeup |
| did not want to end up in debt long after our wedding | | | | - Photography and Video - Instead of hiring a |
| was over. We have friends who borrowed money for | | | | professional photographer, you could have a family |
| their wedding and are still paying for it years later, so | | | | member take all your pictures with a good quality |
| we knew we didn't want that and would rather have a | | | | digital camera or video camera with a tripod for filming |
| nice home instead of a long term loan for something | | | | in the church and outside and post the pictures online |
| that only lasts for one day. That was when we got | | | | on a website offering free uploads of photos to share |
| organized and started looking for ways to save | | | | with friends and family afterwards |
| money on our wedding plans. If you are well organized | | | | - Wedding reception - You can save hundreds of |
| in advance of the big day, you can literally save | | | | dollars even thousands by having your wedding |
| thousands of dollars off your wedding costs. | | | | reception outdoors in your parents or family friends |
| The first thing I did was start a spreadsheet on my | | | | backyard. All you need to do is rent a tent, and all the |
| computer, so I could track expenses and get different | | | | party supplies from a rental company. You can also |
| quotes from each supplier. I got at least three quotes | | | | cater your own food and have guests bring their own |
| from each local supplier in my community and kept | | | | booze (BYOB) to really save money. |
| track of them In my spreadsheet. When you see | | | | - Party supplies - Use paper tablecloths, plastic and |
| things at a glance you can then start to decide where | | | | paper plates, or go to the dollar store and stock up on |
| you could cut costs and find cost alternatives. | | | | party supplies at the fraction of the cost of real |
| Also the first thing we did was go to our local | | | | tablecloths and linen napkins. |
| community bridal show as a start, and we were glad | | | | - Wedding Car - Borrow a friends or family's car ie: |
| we did. The bridal show had wedding planning | | | | mustang convertible or if someone has an antique car |
| seminars, fashion shows, prizes, and also discount | | | | or unique car like a hummer for your wedding car. |
| vouchers and promotions from wedding suppliers | | | | - Wedding Invitations - Consider making your own |
| offering some great savings on wedding gowns, | | | | invitations on your home computer with paper you buy |
| flowers, and photography at discount prices if you | | | | at a local craft store. See the craft store associates |
| booked in advance. | | | | for ideas on making your own invitations. |
| Below is a list of our top inexpensive wedding ideas: | | | | - Entertainment - Hire a DJ instead of a live band or |
| - Wedding Gowns and bridesmaids dresses - If you | | | | even bring your own music CDs and your own stereo |
| shop around for deals at bridal fairs you may just find | | | | or boombox |
| exactly what you are looking for at a discount price, | | | | - Party Favors - Make your own party favors |
| also by looking in your local newspaper you might find | | | | - Honeymoon - Shop around online for deals and |
| a wedding cancellation offering a huge discount on | | | | packages offering discount hotels, deals on car rentals |
| your wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses | | | | and cheap flights to your destination. |
| - Flowers - If you are getting married in late summer | | | | With all the suggestions above, your should be able to |
| you could grow your own flowers in your own | | | | save hundreds of dollars even thousands off your |
| backyard at a fraction of the cost from a florist, or | | | | wedding planning and use the money you saved as a |
| you can also find lower prices at your local grocery | | | | downpayment on a new home for you and your bride |
| store instead of a florist shop or go the the dollar store | | | | or groom. By being organized in advance of your |
| and buy some silk flowers and mix them in with real | | | | wedding and not having to borrow money and even |
| flowers. You can also buy single small vases at the | | | | pay for things in advance, you can avoid having a lot |
| dollar store and put a single rose in each vase on each | | | | of stress and extra expenses when things get closer |
| table at your reception. | | | | to the big day. Good luck and have fun saving money |
| - Hair and Makeup - If you want to save on hair and | | | | on your wedding. |
| makeup, consider using a hair and makeup school in | | | | |