With the prices of everything on the rise, a wedding can become very costly if you're not careful. Here are some tips on making your day special without going into debt or the asylum.
Girls always dream of their fairy tale wedding with a long flowing white gown, tons of roses and a huge reception with lavish food. That wouldn't be a problem if we were all millionaires. We all want that day to be extra special but we don't really have all of that extra cash to throw around.
Who really wants to go into debt for their special day? Going to Las Vegas for a drive-thru wedding is not an option for most couples. So what's left? Believe it or not, there are other budget friendly options besides the drive-thru wedding!
You don't need to spend money on a wedding planner to have a beautiful wedding. With a decent budget and a little work, you can create the custom wedding that you've always dreamed of. I've seen couples who have spent thousands of dollars for their wedding and gotten divorced before it was all paid off.
You don't need to have a major debt when starting a new life with your mate. When my husband and I were married in 2004, we spent about $2,000 total for everything since we both didn't think spending a fortune would help to make our marriage any better. You can do it too.
PLAN AHEAD…WAY AHEAD
He's asked you to be his wife, maybe you have an engagement ring too. Now what?? Don't panic. DO NOT MAKE ANY INVITATIONS YET! Before you plan, write out everything that you need to consider in making your plans. Get a notebook, binder or wedding planner book to organize things.
I took my little wedding planner book everywhere I went in case I had an idea that I wanted to jot down. What kind of a budget are you aiming for? What kind of ceremony are you having? Do you want it to be fully formal, semi-formal or pretty casual? What date do you have in mind? How many and who will be in your wedding party? How many guests are you planning to have? Will the food be catered? Are you having invitations made or will you make them yourself? Will you have a theme? What are your colors? Are you ordering a dress or having it made? What kind of flowers do you want? Are you or someone you know doing the bouquets, boutonnières, corsages and other arrangements?
I bought flowers at a local farmers market and spent maybe $100 for everything. It's not as tough as you think it is but it does take time to figure out what you want. Make a list of your wants then go over it again to see what you can afford, what you can omit and what you absolutely cannot go without.
Many times, we get so excited that we end up getting too much. It's like going food shopping when you are hungry. When you get engaged, most brides run to buy all of the wedding magazines they can find and start living in bridal shops where they see so many things they want but don't necessarily need.
So, many brides end up spending a ton of money for that one day. It is a very special day but we also need to stay realistic. Who's going to really care if you're using a $5,000 designer gown or a clearance rack dress? As long as you look and feel beautiful, the price won't matter. You are doing this for love, not as a show.
Also, do not think that you can make your own dress if you don't really know how to sew. I still have my fabric and everything else sitting in a bag at my mom's house from me trying to put my dress together.
I ended up buying a simple dress because I got pregnant 4 months before the wedding. I paid less for the dress that I bought than for the fabric and stuff for the dress I was making. Be prepared for everything because things can change in a moment's notice! Don't freak out and have a nervous breakdown if you need to change your plans. Make the best of it.
MAKING THE DATE, FINDING A PLACE
Consider what may be happening around that date. For example, you'd like to get married in the summer. That can become a problem when you're trying to find a location for your wedding and reception since many couples choose to get married in the summer, not to mention that graduation parties are also happening and holidays such as the Fourth of July are in the summer.
