| Getting engaged is a wonderful and exciting time | | | | the movie theater, carpooling to work with |
| in a couple's life. However, it can also be a very | | | | friends, bringing your own lunch to work, etc. You |
| expensive time. You want the very best, but if | | | | can also consider getting a part time job and set |
| you are on a tight budget, it can be really | | | | the money aside for the wedding. |
| stressful planning a dream wedding that you can | | | | Cut Wedding Costs: If your budget is small, you |
| afford. Fortunately, there are many simple things | | | | will need to come up with ways to lower your |
| you can do that will allow you to have a perfect | | | | costs. For instance, have your close friends and |
| and memorable wedding, even if you are on a | | | | family help you with tasks such as making |
| tight budget. | | | | homemade decorations and wedding favors |
| Listed below are a number of tips to help you | | | | instead of buying expensive items. You can even |
| plan a wedding on a budget: | | | | use your own computer and software to make |
| Create a Budget: Before you make any wedding | | | | homemade invitations. You could also use a DJ |
| plans, calculate how much you can afford to | | | | instead of hiring an expensive band. A buffet style |
| spend on the big day. Without a detailed budget, | | | | wedding dinner and asking family members and |
| you could end up spending too much and end up | | | | friends to each make a special food dish also |
| taking years to pay off the debt. Once you have | | | | lowers the cost. |
| determined how much you can afford to spend, | | | | For the Bar, consider more affordable beer and |
| you should make a list of all your wedding | | | | liquor and even having a cash bar. Smaller size |
| expenses. This can include expenses for such | | | | weddings are much more affordable than a large |
| items as invitations, hall rentals, decorations, food, | | | | wedding. Go through your guest list to see if you |
| wedding cake, music, etc. Once you have a list of | | | | can cut down on the number of people who will |
| your wedding expenses and an approximation of | | | | be attending the wedding. When considering a |
| the costs of each expense, you can then look for | | | | wedding gown, look for special sales and check |
| ways to cut down on each cost so you can stay | | | | out second hand clothing stores. Remember, |
| within your budgeted amount. | | | | holidays and spring time tends to be an expensive |
| Establish a Wedding Account: If you plan your | | | | time to have a wedding because there are more |
| wedding many months in advance, then you will | | | | couples getting married making it difficult to get |
| have the opportunity to save a substantial | | | | deals and discounts. |
| amount of money. For instance, you can set aside | | | | Because an average size wedding can cost about |
| a certain percentage of each paycheck and | | | | $20,000, it can take a significant bite out of your |
| deposit it in a special account specifically for your | | | | bank account, and even leave you with a huge |
| wedding. To ensure that you can still afford your | | | | debt. When you have a detailed budget and |
| regular bills, you can cut costs in other areas of | | | | budget plan, as well as planning well in advance of |
| your life such as dining-in instead of eating at | | | | the romantic day, you will end up with the |
| restaurants, renting a movie instead of going to | | | | wedding of your dreams. |