| With the economy getting tighter every day, | | | | decoration? Go for the equally beautiful white |
| more and more couples have to look for creative | | | | roses that will cost you only a fraction and create |
| solutions when it comes to planning their wedding. | | | | a similar impression. |
| The Bridal Association in America found out the | | | | Go for quality not quantity: sometimes less is |
| the average cost of a wedding 2007 was around | | | | more. Rather than going overboard with quantity |
| 27.000 dollars. More and more often the parents | | | | go for higher quality. That applies to flowers and |
| of the bride, who traditionally have to pay for the | | | | decoration, but also to the food. Choose a higher |
| wedding, are just not able to spend this kind of | | | | quality three course meal over a lower quality five |
| money on their daughters wedding. If you can | | | | courses. Get a good photographer for a limited |
| believe a recent poll, around 30 out of every 100 | | | | time, instead of a bad one all day. |
| couples contribute to their own wedding, and the | | | | Ask for discounts: most businesses won't offer |
| parents of the groom chip in as well. | | | | you a discount, but if you ask they will happily |
| But being able to spend less at your wedding | | | | oblige. Always be respectful. Know the average |
| doesn't mean that you have to have a barbecue | | | | prices for the service you are looking for and |
| in your backyard as a reception. You might just | | | | don't go too low, you will insult people. |
| have to be more creative and to set priorities. If | | | | Go with the season: keep in mind the season at all |
| you want to have a great wedding on a | | | | stages of the planning process. Choose flowers |
| shoestring budget, consider these general rules: | | | | that are in season (and therefore cheaper) and |
| Set up your budget: ask both of your parents | | | | try to set the date out of season (that way you |
| how much they will be able to contribute. Estimate | | | | will be able to get discounts more easily). |
| how much you and your future husband can save | | | | Ask for help: most people will feel honoured if you |
| up until the day of the wedding. If you plan a | | | | ask them if they can help you with a special |
| longer engagement you still have time to stash | | | | talent and do your hair for example instead of |
| away a certain amount of your paycheck every | | | | bringing a wedding gift. The help of friends and |
| month. Go to your bank and open up a wedding | | | | family can make the difference between just |
| account. You will be surprised how much you will | | | | another wedding or the wedding of your dreams. |
| be able to save up this way! | | | | If you don't have to shell out money for a |
| Set priorities: make a list of the three most | | | | professional photographer, you will be able to get |
| important factors of your dream wedding. If you | | | | the wedding cake of your dreams - and so on! |
| want the perfect dress, a life band for the party | | | | Be yourself: don't plan the wedding everybody |
| after the reception and professional wedding | | | | else think you should have - plan YOUR wedding. |
| pictures, splurge out on these three factors and | | | | Don't compare your reception to the ones you |
| try to cut back on other factors like food and | | | | attended as a guest. If you like the local park |
| decoration. | | | | better then the Hyatt Regency - all the better for |
| Be willing to compromise. You would just love to | | | | you! |
| have these gorgeous white orchids for your table | | | | |