| According to the Bridal Association of America, | | | | place, meaning you get away with not purchasing |
| the average cost of a wedding runs most couples | | | | pricey flower arrangements, fragrant wreaths, |
| a whopping $30,375 (1)! | | | | garland, and candles. The venue of your choosing, |
| Yes, now may be the time for many of us to cut | | | | most likely a church or some other community |
| a few corners by purchasing affordable wedding | | | | place, will have all these decorations available to |
| favors, food, and decorations, but this doesn't | | | | you free of charge (save, of course, for the cost |
| mean you have to sacrifice beauty and elegance | | | | of renting the space). All you need are the |
| when planning your own wedding. In order to | | | | discount dress, a budget meal, affordable wedding |
| save a few bucks and even reduce overall | | | | favors, the groom, and presto, instant wedding! |
| spending, many brides-to-be are postponing their | | | | If you're dead-set on a spring or summer fete |
| long-awaited wedding days for more prosperous | | | | when planning your own wedding, have it outside |
| times. Instead of waiting, however, you could | | | | in a friend's or family member's backyard. Or, |
| simply scale back your wedding. Fortunately, there | | | | choose a quiet park and set up a garden arbor |
| are many ways to make your wedding just as | | | | and trellises adorned with flowers to complete the |
| special if you hunt around for deals on tasteful | | | | look. To get your flowers at a reduced cost, |
| yet affordable wedding favors, refreshments, and | | | | check with your local florist, who might be able to |
| flowers - in fact, taking advantage of bargains and | | | | give you a discount on leftover bouquets or |
| discounts while planning your own wedding day | | | | arrangements. |
| and doing many things yourself could be the very | | | | You can also purchase from a flower wholesaler |
| highlight of your special day. | | | | to get flowers at deep discounts; however, keep |
| Simple, Affordable Wedding Favors are Key: For | | | | in mind that you will be responsible for creating, |
| the bride planning her own wedding with little time | | | | arranging, watering, and transporting the bouquets |
| as it is, envisioning and making 150 affordable | | | | for the wedding day. Above all, ensure that your |
| wedding favors sounds a little ridiculous (read time | | | | chosen flowers are in season. |
| consuming), and while many sites recommend you | | | | Food and Refreshments that Don't Break the |
| make these yourself, the cost of construction | | | | Bank: Feeding 75, 100, or even 250 guests can |
| and materials would probably be higher than just | | | | get pretty expensive, even if you scaled back |
| biting the bullet and buying pre-made (though | | | | with an inexpensive wedding dress and affordable |
| affordable) wedding favors. A lot of times you | | | | wedding favors. Even estimating $10 at the very |
| can find favors for well under $1.00 each. A | | | | least for each dinner can send your budget |
| recent check on quality, affordable wedding | | | | skyrocketing. And you obviously do not want to |
| favors showed charming silver mint tins for $0.52, | | | | forego delicious food to help cut costs. |
| bride and groom swizzle sticks for $0.75, and | | | | Fortunately, you have a few options when |
| place card holders for $0.94. | | | | planning your own wedding: the modern bride has |
| In addition to purchasing affordable wedding | | | | realized that feeding her guests an elaborate, |
| favors, remember always to buy enough the first | | | | three-course dinner is not necessary and certainly |
| time around. If in doubt, buy slightly over your | | | | not required. After all, guests are there to |
| estimated head count. And try to order with | | | | celebrate the happy couple's special day and |
| plenty of time to spare to avoid exorbitant | | | | should not be coming for 'hand-outs.' So, why not |
| shipping costs, meaning you should start planning | | | | consider serving satisfying, but light hors |
| your own wedding far in advance to ensure this | | | | d'oeuvres? From fruit and cookies to mini tea |
| as shipping on a rush order alone can add well | | | | sandwiches and crudités, you can keep your |
| over $50.00 extra. Above all, take full advantage | | | | guests' stomachs full on just a few dollars. By |
| of volume pricing on your order of affordable | | | | making a number of refreshments in large |
| wedding favors, which helps you avoid paying the | | | | quantities, you can drive down the price. A few |
| lowest (and most expensive) tier price. | | | | brides have even been known to serve fondue - |
| The Lovely but Reduced-Priced Dress Route: | | | | of either the chocolate or cheese kind - both of |
| Finding the perfect wedding dress is considered an | | | | which can be accompanied by a tasty selection of |
| epic quest by many brides who are planning their | | | | 'dippable' foodstuffs. |
| own wedding, but still want to look their loveliest | | | | Instead of spending thousands of dollars on |
| on that special day. Whether the bride chooses | | | | catering, you can also re-introduce a concept that |
| hundreds of flounces and tulle or a simple A-line | | | | used to be popular in the late nineteenth and early |
| design, the whole ensemble - dress, veil, | | | | twentieth centuries when planning your own |
| undergarments, and shoes - can add up rather | | | | wedding: a pot-luck reception. Sure, it may sound |
| quickly. To save money while planning your own | | | | a little folksy, but it's what the brides of |
| wedding, you have a few options, most of which | | | | yesteryear used to do to avoid spending a lot of |
| present themselves online. Search for dresses on | | | | money when wallets were essentially empty. |
| auction sites, such as eBay, or classified ad sites, | | | | Etiquette dictates, however, that the couple |
| such as Craigslist, to find previously worn wedding | | | | consider these offerings of food comparable to a |
| gowns at cheap, bargain basement prices. You | | | | wedding gift or at least a significant part of it. |
| can often find name brand or even designer | | | | Even if you choose this option, decorating the |
| dresses in great condition, along with all the | | | | tables is still a necessity - set the mood with |
| accessories. If you want to take your search | | | | freshly ironed tablecloths, polished candelabras, |
| offline, contact thrift stores and consignment | | | | and those affordable wedding favors you |
| shops in your town to see what their inventories | | | | purchased earlier. |
| are like before hitting the pavement. | | | | And finally, we come to the cake. Remember |
| If you'd rather have something more personalized, | | | | that research conducted by the Bridal Association |
| you can have your dress made, although this will | | | | of America? The survey found that the cake |
| be a little more expensive. Occasionally, art and | | | | alone cost $543. You could feasibly cut that |
| design students offer their services for a cheaper | | | | number in half or even by two-thirds if you make |
| dressmaking fee than established places and can | | | | the cake yourself. Have your mother, sisters, |
| create a dress for you at well below market | | | | female relatives, or bridesmaids help you with this |
| value. You can also have a trusted friend who has | | | | task; purchase a book on the topic or research |
| time and sewing prowess make your dream | | | | tips on the Internet. If this sounds like it could be |
| dress from scratch. | | | | a huge disaster and take time away from planning |
| You can get a visual of your desired dream dress | | | | your own wedding, try something easier instead: |
| using this helpful online tool while planning your | | | | wedding cake cupcakes. Simple, easier to |
| own wedding - the Wedding Dress Creator ( | | | | decorate, and just the right portion, cupcakes |
| which allows you to select from a variety of | | | | bake fast and are a break away from the usual. |
| options, such as dress length, shape, and color. | | | | From Discount Decorations to Affordable Wedding |
| The Date Matters More than You Think: | | | | Favors and Beyond |
| Oftentimes, the date you choose can be | | | | Cutting corners when planning your own wedding |
| significantly more expensive than another. | | | | doesn't mean your big day has to look cheap. Far |
| High-priced seasons, such as the spring and | | | | from it! Focusing on little details, like simple yet |
| summer, drive up your budget noticeably - | | | | affordable wedding favors, pretty, discount |
| caterers charge more for a filet of fish, and | | | | decorations, and delicious but homemade food, |
| florists for miles around only seem to have the | | | | incorporates your own personal spin and infuses |
| most expensive lilies. During the crisper, colder fall | | | | your wedding with character. Think planning your |
| and winter months, when most couples are | | | | own wedding and showing your guests a great |
| reluctant to schedule or even attempt planning | | | | time on a limited budget is still impossible? Just |
| their own wedding, prices come down noticeably. | | | | remember that they're there, first and foremost, |
| Photographers lower their prices, and holiday | | | | to celebrate the love and commitment of the |
| decorations (especially ideal for a Christmas or | | | | happy couple. |
| Easter-themed wedding) are already up and in | | | | |