| Everyone getting married wants their day to be | | | | able to do the food yourself. Mine was included in |
| special. I'm here to tell you that it can be, even | | | | the package, but I could have easily done it |
| with a small budget. When I got married, just | | | | myself. It included croissant sandwiches, fruit, |
| over ten years ago, my budget was very | | | | vegetables, and of course, the wedding cake. The |
| modest - $3500.00 to be exact (for 50 people). | | | | wedding cake was contracted out to a caterer, |
| Today, I could still do a fabulous wedding for that | | | | but the rest was easily done by the family who |
| amount by following some simple tips I knew then | | | | owned the house I was married in. Depending on |
| and have learned since. The most important thing | | | | the time of day or evening will depend on what |
| to accomplish is deciding with your spouse-to-be | | | | you want to feed your guests, so plan |
| (and parents if they're paying for your wedding) | | | | accordingly.7. Music - A band or DJ is usually |
| what you are willing to spend the most money on | | | | customary at the reception. Shop around when it |
| and what you are willing to compromise on or | | | | comes to music. Let your fingers do the walking |
| forego, if necessary. Then set a reasonable | | | | as they say - pull out the yellow pages and |
| budget for the entire event. Once that is done, | | | | compare prices.8. Flowers - This can be very |
| try some of these tried and true tips to make | | | | easy to do yourself. Many wholesale flower shops |
| your special day stand out with out costing your | | | | exist that will allow you to buy flowers in bulk. |
| life savings.1. Be Your Own Wedding Coordinator - | | | | Pick flowers that are in season to help save costs |
| You don't have to hire someone to plan your | | | | as well. You don't need to have elaborate |
| wedding - plenty of help exists for those who | | | | arrangements - glass vases with flowers can be |
| want to go it alone. Some bridal registries even | | | | just as elegant by setting the vases on mirrors. |
| offer wedding planner books for the bride-to-be, | | | | Also, the bouquets can simply be a spray of |
| but you can do your own in a notebook along | | | | flowers tied with ribbons.9. Invitations - If you |
| with dividers for each section of the wedding. | | | | have a nice printer, you can actually make your |
| Make sure to keep your budget in the front so | | | | own invitations. Another budget saving idea is to |
| you always know what you are willing to spend | | | | buy plain cards and write your invitations by hand. |
| on each portion.2. Avoid Peak Wedding Months - | | | | Or, if you know someone who is into |
| Don't get married between May and August and | | | | scrapbooking, they may be willing to help you |
| you can save a fortune. Also, avoid the Saturday | | | | make invitations or give you some creative ideas |
| rush if at all possible. I was married on a Friday | | | | for your own. Do check out the prices of local |
| night in March amidst soft candle light and it was | | | | printers though, you may just find they aren't as |
| perfect.3. The Wedding Dress - I bought mine | | | | expensive as you think.10. Photography |
| from a local wedding dress outlet shop instead of | | | | Videography - This can become quite costly if |
| going to a retail shop or custom designer. This is | | | | you're on a tight budget. One great trick is to give |
| becoming a popular way to save money. Also, | | | | each guest table a disposable camera and let |
| many cities host bridal fairs that show off the | | | | them take candid shots of the wedding, then |
| latest designs and offer discounts. Even better, if | | | | save the photographer for the formal shots. Try |
| you know someone who sews, you can always | | | | hiring someone from the local art school as they |
| get a pattern and have the dress made.4. | | | | can be quite talented and less expensive than a |
| Location - This may be something of importance | | | | professional.When you're doing a wedding on a |
| or may not matter to you. Churches are an | | | | budget it helps to have everyone involved. Enlist |
| obvious choice for many, but parks, beaches, | | | | friends and family members to assist in any way |
| backyards, botanical gardens and historical homes | | | | possible. Many have hidden talents and will even |
| are other options you have. We were married in | | | | give you items you can use for the wedding. |
| a 100-year-old house that was beautifully | | | | You'd be amazed at what people are willing to do |
| decorated for just such occasions.5. All Inclusive - | | | | to help ensure your day is fabulous! So go ahead, |
| This is another terrific option, one that I used with | | | | start planning your wedding today!This article has |
| my wedding. Many locations that specialize in | | | | been submitted in affiliation with which is a site for |
| weddings offer package deals that can include | | | | Wedding Invitations.Terry J. Coyier is a |
| food, music, photography, videography and | | | | 37-year-old college student studying for an |
| flowers. I negotiated and got a package that | | | | Associates of Applied Sciences degree. She is also |
| included part of the above since I didn't want a | | | | a freelance writer who writes on a variety of |
| video and had my own florist.6. Food - Depending | | | | topics. She lives with her son in the Dallas/Ft. |
| on where you have your reception, you may be | | | | |