How to Plan a Cheap Wedding

Planning for the most important day of your life shouldn't be overshadowed by money worries. Wedding magazines show dresses and cakes priced in the hundreds and thousands of dollars causing the soon-to-be bride and groom to see expensive wedding items everywhere they turn. With a wedding budget plan, high costs will not rule the day.

Instructions

1. List the total amount of money you have to spend and then divide your budget between the different categories. This will ensure you don't over-spend on any one item. If you spend less on one thing, like the dress, you can apply the excess to your reception budget. Make sure you add all the "fees" to your list; minister fees, church rental, reception hall and the like.

2. Bid on a designer dress on eBay or watch the classified ads. Gowns only worn one time that cost thousands of dollars originally, sell for a fraction of that amount. They look like new and no one will ever know the difference.

3. Make the cake or have a friend that bakes do it. Purchase cake decorating how-to books in crafts stores. Complete instructions are included. Visit the Wilton website.

4. Ask a vocally talented friend to sing at your ceremony. There's no need to hire a professional if a relative or friend agrees to do it. The audience has eyes only for you, not the singer.

5. Decorate for the reception on your own. Create cheap-looking centerpieces from inexpensive glass rose bowls found at your local hobby store. Fill them with silicone water crystals and silk flowers. Wrap and tie ribbons in your wedding colors around the bowls and sprinkle flower petals on the tablecloth.

Resources

• Budget planning worksheet
• Wilton weddings