Things You'll Need:
- Whatever you think you'll need
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Step 1
First off, decide on a serious budget. This is not an easy thing to do. Having a nice wedding can be expensive and everything is more expensive than you think it will cost. Figure out where you will be taking the money from, savings, family, credit, a loan? Be willing to push out your date in order to save more money to increase what you will be able to spend.
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Step 2
Now, spend part of your money on a simple book at a bookstore that will be more detailed in what you need to do and plan for. These books and calendars are indispensible. They will help you pick and choose what you want for your wedding and therefore cut out the costs. Real flowers or a full meal? More money on photography or the decorations? This book will help you decide where to cut corners by seeing what they tell you need to do.
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Step 3
Pick a theme. The sooner you determine the theme for your wedding the easier it is to stay focused on your dream wedding. It is too easy to wander and think things are cute and buy them when they really won't fit in with your theme. Not only is this helpful for your budget, but you also want a cohesive look for your wedding and picking and choosing the details will make it look mishmash. However, if you want, try a theme such as secondhand store or pick a decade that will be easy to find products from to make your wedding cohesive but cheaper.
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Step 4
Once you decide what you want to put into your wedding, look at all of your options. Look at pictures online and in magazines. Find the best places to shop where you can get a good deal. Look for deals online, specials, coupons and sales. Especially with the recession more and more businesses are willing to give you a deal rather than lose your business altogether. Negotiate, don't be afraid to haggle!
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Step 5
Think about what you want to remember about your wedding, look at pictures of your mother's, friend's, grandmother's, etc weddings. The most important things that you pick out are the ones your want to splurge on. The photographs are probably important to you but look at other aspects. Real flowers or fake? Buffet, full meal, just dessert? Alcohol? DJ or Ipod speakers? Budget dress or princess dress? Choosing these things will help you decide where you want to put the majority of your budget. Also, don't feel like you have to stick with tradition. Choose alternatives to flowers, such as glass/candle centerpieces or a fake bouquet that you can keep. Just because tradition says it should be one way does not mean that you have to make your wedding that way.
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Step 6
Most of all, just try to have fun planning your wedding. The important thing is the marriage, not the wedding. Also, take a look at the way the experts break down the budget. That will give you a rough idea of realistic pricing. Take advantage of free websites (such as theknot.com or brides.com) that have very useful tools and other real brides to give budget tips.
