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