How to Plan a Budget Wedding

You've got the perfect guy, the perfect engagement ring...and a budget! Eek! What now? Don't fret - it's very possible to have the wedding of your dreams on a budget.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Your wedding budget, including any financial contributions from parents
• Your guest list
• A willing fiance and/or a few girlfriends who will help you in your searches

1. Our Wedding Reception Site - over 25% off! Wedding Reception Site:
   Shop around. A LOT! Do your research through wedding magazines and websites, and visit as many reception sites that appeal to you as possible. Ask friends and family for recommendations (but don't feel obligated to choose the recommended sites). Do NOT talk about your wedding budget when visiting. Simply collect the standard pricing information and ask as many questions about the service that will be provided as possible. Once you have gathered pricing information and have narrowed the field to just a few sites, start negotiating.
   
   When my husband and I found our dream spot, we were able to get over 25% knocked off the per person price by saying we really were in love with the venue but were not able to afford it. We also mentioned another venue that offered us a lower price. None of this was a lie - but remember to use the puppy dog eyes and moon over how much you'd love to have your reception at that site.
   
   You can also consider having your wedding on an "off" day, like Friday or Sunday. Most venues offer reduced pricing for those days as they are less popular and less likely to be booked.
   
   Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. More often than not, you'll get it!
2. My inexpensive but gorgeous wedding dress Wedding Dress:
   Don't be afraid to go to David's Bridal. They are almost always holding a sale on many of their wedding dresses. Sign up on their website to receive emails about sales. Sure, hundreds of other brides might wear the same dress you end up with, but who cares - none of them will be wearing it at your wedding!
   
   Also, think about visiting a bridal salon and finding the dress you want, but buying it online. Once you know what size you need, you can visit sites like http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/ and get your dream wedding dress cheaper than you ever imagined! (Sure, someone else has already worn it but with a professional cleaning it will be as good as new.)
3. Centerpiece found at WalMart - less than $10! Centerpieces:
   By the time you get to the centerpieces, you'll hopefully have your reception site booked as well as a color scheme and/or theme in mind. Try to work with seasonal sales. For example, if you're having a summer wedding, shop around the summer before your wedding, and wait until late summer to buy. Everything will go on sale once the fall items arrive. Also, be on the lookout for possible centerpieces everywhere you go - grocery stores, department stores, drugstores, etc. You never know where you might uncover a great find. Be sure to scour the craft stores and be open to the possibility of making or assembling your own centerpieces.
4. Favors:
   Again, shop around. If you've got your heart set on a favor that is above your budget, search Google. A lot of popular favors are sold on a myriad of websites, and prices can sometimes vary greatly. Start shopping early and look for sales. Don't forget to check eBay as well! Also, consider going super simple, by filling inexpensive containers with candy or mints. As a bride or groom, the favors are an important element of the whole picture, but as much as you'd like them to treasure it, your guests are much more likely to remember having a great time or eating great food than they are to remember your favors.
5. Flowers:
   Artificial flowers are certainly an option, and can make stunning bouquets. However, they are a lot of work to put together, so make sure you weigh the cost savings against the time you will have to commit to for making your bouquets. Also, if you go crazy with artificial flowers, they can actually end up being more expensive than real ones!
   
   If you decide to use a florist, ask around for recommendations and shop around for the best price. Ask about flowers that will be in season at the time of your wedding as they can be less expensive. Also, consider a simple bouquet with a single type of flower and without fillers, rather than a cascading bouquet containing a lot of extras.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, when it comes to pricing, don't be afraid to ask for the price you want. You might get it!
• Stick to your budget as much as possible but if there is an element you absolutely can't get at the price you want, and it really makes you happy and won't break the bank, do it! You only get one wedding day, and you won't regret those few extra dollars later when you look back and remember your perfect day.
• Your fiance is your ally. Of course you will run into times when you disagree but remember that - as much as everyone says the wedding is about the bride - the wedding should really reflect the two of you as a couple, and your love for each other.