How to Throw a Lavish Wedding on a Budget

When planning a wedding with a budget under $5000, you will need to carefully plan every detail in order to afford every lavish detail. Your wedding day is all about feeling like a prince or princess and you can do that for much less money than you ever thought.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper
• Pencil
• Internet Access
• Patience

1. Plan far in advance. The best way to save money on your wedding is to start planning 9 to 12 months in advance. This will give you the chance to catch clearance deals along the way.

2. Start a list. Having one master list of supplies you will need for your lavish wedding on a budget will help you buy only what you need as opposed to what you want.

3. Shop around. Sometimes the best deals are those hidden in smaller retailers. Vistaprint, for instance, charges less than $30 for save the date notecards and the envelopes are free.

4. Design yourself whenever possible. With some silk roses, paper roses and a few dollar store vases, you can create a centerpiece that costs a fraction of the price of other lavish wedding centerpieces.

5. Think simple. Far too many people think a lavish wedding on a budget is not approachable because they are thinking too big. Simplicity is the key throughout the lavish wedding planning process.

6. Go for the buffet. Feeding your guests by the head will result in food left on the plate. Instead, feed the guests in a buffet style setting and your food budget will stretch farther.

7. Keep the guest list under 100. Buying invitations and favors for 2 to 3 hundred people will blow your budget. Keeping the list short and concise is the best option.

8. Invite by family not guest. Even though there are 100 people on your list, it is appropriate to send one invitation per household or family. Simply add a short, handwritten note inside the invitation to your lavish wedding listing all family members invited.

9. Be calm. You can do this so calm down and focus that energy on planning the lavish wedding instead of stressing about your budget.

Tips & Warnings

• If the venue is too expensive try an outdoor wedding at home.
• Caterers can be expensive, try making the food yourself.

[Upon-Request]

on 1/11/2009 Well written article and great tips for planning a budget wedding that still has an extravagant feel! ;)