| Your wedding is one of the most important days | | | | wedding album or frame-you can do this yourself |
| of your life, and of course you want to splurge a | | | | at a later time, when you're not as deluged with |
| little to make it special. But staying on a budget is | | | | expenses. You can ask a friend to do the |
| important too, especially if you don't want to | | | | videography, or approach a college or university |
| start your life together neck-deep in debt. | | | | film club. Most film students would be happy for a |
| The first step is to identify what's most important | | | | chance to earn a little extra on a weekend, and |
| to you, spend on what matters, and cut corners | | | | won't charge as much as a professional |
| on the things that don't. This differs from bride to | | | | cameraman. |
| bride. Some ask a friend to take the pictures but | | | | - Reception. Adjust the time of your reception so |
| spend an open bar and a big band-others want | | | | you can serve brunch or tea instead of lunch or |
| professional photographs, and schedule a lunch | | | | dinner. You can also order separate meals for |
| reception because it's less expensive than a dinner | | | | your suppliers (e.g., band, host), or a children's |
| menu. If you're not sure what your priorities are, | | | | menu for any young guests (they'd be happier |
| ask yourself these questions: what do I want to | | | | with hotdogs, anyway). Another way of getting |
| remember about the wedding? Is it "my guests | | | | big bargains is to look for those that offer "special |
| had the time of their life" or "I had the dress of | | | | packages" that include the cake, food, use of the |
| my dreams"? Take you cue from there. | | | | venue itself, and even extras like limo service. |
| Also, buy a notebook and write down all your | | | | - Souvenirs. Make them yourself, if you have the |
| expenses related to the wedding, and have all | | | | time. For example, place several chocolate kisses |
| your receipts in a file. Aside from the obvious | | | | into a small tin, while the more artistically inclined |
| costs like ordering the invitations, don't forget the | | | | can make very inexpensive frames from |
| incidental expenses like having all of them mailed. | | | | materials in a crafts store. Or you can kill two |
| Every month, review your tally of costs with | | | | birds with one stone, and ask a friend to take |
| your fiancée. If you find that you have | | | | "studio" shots of your guests against a special |
| gone over your budget, then rein the expenses in. | | | | set-up in the corner. Give them a copy of the |
| Here are some ways you can cut corners: | | | | picture to take home as a souvenir, while |
| - Flowers. Explore other ways of decorating the | | | | simultaneously compiling an album. |
| church or reception tables: Seashells, scented | | | | - Cake. If you really want a high-tiered cake, you |
| candles, balloon bouquets. Always use flowers that | | | | can always ask for mock Styrofoam layers so |
| are in season. | | | | you get the impact but don't spend on something |
| - Photography and Videography. Don't order the | | | | that most people won't eat, anyway. |