| Wedding planning on a budget is a necessary | | | | honest feedback. |
| reality. Planning without a budget may leave you | | | | Map out a timeline. Over 60 percent of engaged |
| without enough money for flowers or music a | | | | women give themselves less than six months |
| week before the ceremony. And overspending | | | | before their wedding to purchase their wedding |
| may result in unpaid wedding bills as you're | | | | gown. Find wedding planning checklists at Following |
| starting your life together. Following are some | | | | a timeline will eliminate impulse shopping as a last |
| wedding planning tips to help you plan your | | | | ditch effort to finalize your wedding plans. |
| wedding on a budget: | | | | Select a national retailer. Bridesmaid dress |
| Establish a budget. Determine which aspects of | | | | coordination remains in vogue, with almost 75 |
| your wedding are most important, and scale back | | | | percent of engaged women wanting their bridal |
| on items that are not a priority. In a recent | | | | party to wear the same color or color scheme. |
| survey conducted by Leflein Associates, Inc. for | | | | Select a national retailer that carries a large |
| David's Bridal, almost two-thirds of survey | | | | assortment of bridesmaid styles, in a wide range |
| respondents said that the wedding dresses they | | | | of sizes and colors, for ease of shopping and to |
| found were too expensive. Keep your finances in | | | | ensure everyone looks and feels their best. |
| check without sacrificing quality or style by | | | | Personalize your wedding gown. Look for |
| shopping at a store that offers a wide selection | | | | cost-effective solutions for personalizing your |
| of designer looks that matches your budget. | | | | wedding dress, such as adding optional sleeves, a |
| Use the Internet. Many brides-to-be rank wedding | | | | colorful sash that matches your wedding color |
| web sites as a top resource for useful wedding | | | | scheme, or a sparkling brooch. Ask your wedding |
| planning advice, tips and ideas. Most wedding | | | | consultant about coordinating accessories, such as |
| products can be found online, such as bridal | | | | tiaras, veils, handbags, shoes and jewelry. Select |
| gowns, bridesmaid dresses, invitations, wedding | | | | pieces that complement your dress and personal |
| favors, bridal accessories and jewelry. | | | | style. |
| Seek expert advice. When searching for your | | | | Create a seamless look. Visit a one-stop-shop and |
| dream wedding dress, seek expert advice from | | | | choose a personalized color scheme that makes it |
| the in-store bridal consultant. Consultants can | | | | easy to coordinate every aspect of your wedding |
| provide great insight into the gowns' quality, fit | | | | day, such as save-the-date cards and invitations |
| and construction. Also consider bringing along a | | | | to ceremony and reception items. Shop online or |
| trusted friend or family member to provide | | | | in-store to create a perfectly coordinated event. |