| It is said that the "average wedding" today | | | | many photos in a short period of time. And |
| costs around $20,000. Now of course that | | | | you will want them to be creative and unique |
| depends on where you live and who you are! If | | | | to your wedding. If you find a photographer |
| you are planning a wedding on a budget, I | | | | who is fairly new, but has some good weddings |
| have some advice for you. | | | | under his or her belt, you could save a lot |
| | | | of money. Make sure that you talk with some |
| To some people $20,000 could be a new car or | | | | people who used the photographer. Also make |
| a down payment on a house. If you go out and | | | | sure that you like the personality of your |
| borrow $20,000 for a wedding, shame on you. | | | | photographer. They could change the mood of |
| You need some financial advice! Planning a | | | | the wedding in a hurry. |
| wedding on a budget would be the least of | | | | |
| your problems. | | | | If you are planning a wedding on a budget, |
| | | | you may want to forget about the wedding |
| The two most important keys to planning a | | | | coordinator/planner. Unless you are totally |
| wedding on a budget are: planning and | | | | useless at planning and research, they may |
| organization. You will not save any money on | | | | cost more than they save you. There are many |
| your wedding if you start planning a month | | | | software programs and books that have |
| before the wedding. So get yourself a 3 ring | | | | checklists and helpful shortcuts. I would |
| binder, some paper, and dividers. | | | | recommend that you have a trusted friend or |
| | | | relative with the list of events to watch |
| Make a section for EVERY expense of the | | | | over things, just to make sure that |
| wedding. Cut pictures out of magazines. Print | | | | everything goes as planned. Someone with a |
| pages off of the internet. Write down every | | | | strong personality! |
| idea that you have. This will be part of the | | | | |
| brainstorming process. Go through each | | | | Using friends and relatives to help with |
| section periodically and jot down any money | | | | tasks at your wedding can save you a bundle! |
| saving thoughts. I will get you started. | | | | A word of caution here. Saving a few dollars |
| | | | is not worth ruining the biggest day of your |
| Let's start with the wedding dress. If you | | | | life! Make sure that the people helping are |
| are planning a wedding on a budget, a $10,000 | | | | trustworthy. If they are doing a big job, |
| dress would be a bad start! This is a dress | | | | make sure that they know what they are doing. |
| that you will wear one time. It could be one | | | | Make sure that you have a clear understanding |
| of the most expensive items for your wedding. | | | | with them about your expectations. Imagine |
| Just because a dress is expensive, doesn't | | | | having your second cousin showing up to DJ |
| mean that it will flatter you. Think about | | | | your reception in his favorite cut off shorts |
| possibly renting a dress or even buying a | | | | and a tee shirt. Then he starts playing his |
| second hand dress. Another possibility would | | | | records on his 20 year old sound system. That |
| be to buy one on line. You would be surprised | | | | would surely be the memory that everyone |
| at the places that sell wedding dresses. | | | | would carry away from your biggest day! |
| Amazon and Ebay, just to name a couple. Just | | | | |
| make sure that you check the seller's | | | | So let's do a quick recap on planning a |
| reputation and return policies thoroughly. | | | | wedding on a budget. The keys are planning |
| | | | and organization. Do your research and keep |
| Photography is a place where you can save | | | | track of everything. Get a couple of books |
| some money, but be cautious. After the big | | | | and some software programs to help. Make sure |
| wedding day the photos will be about all that | | | | that you have a clear understanding from |
| is left (with the exception of your spouse)! | | | | everyone involved as to what will happen and |
| Trusting this job to a friend with a camera | | | | how it will happen. Using these planning keys |
| is not a good idea. Wedding photography is | | | | will insure that you have that dream wedding |
| unique in that your photographer has to take | | | | on a budget that you can afford! |