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How to Plan a
Cheap Wedding
There’s no
doubt about it, weddings can be expensive. The average cost of
a wedding today is $20,000 – $25,000, and weddings are estimated
to be a $25.3 billion industry. But don’t worry if your budget
cannot stretch for the most expensive custom-made gown, elegant
invitation cards, or the top photographer, it doesn’t mean that
your wedding will be any less unique or special than anyone
else’s.
You just need
a bit of guidance and a few tips to help you achieve the dream
of your big day. Here are a few suggestions with tips on how to
save on some of the more expensive aspects of a wedding.
Wedding Gowns
Do you really
need a hand-made wedding dress with beads and diamantes? This
is where the big cost is and there are several options in
cutting the cost. Why not opt for a second-hand wedding dress?
It’s probably only been worn once anyway and you can get a once
expensive dress for half the price. Consider buying an evening
gown/cocktail dress from a department store or look into renting
your wedding dress for the day.
The Reception
This is where
the cost of a wedding can get out of hand. The wedding
reception is normally the biggest expense, but one of the
easiest to cut down on costs. Statistics show that an average
of 189 guests attend a wedding, this is a lot. Try and keep
your guest list to a minimum, do you really need to invite
family members who you have never seen for years? Instead of a
three-course meal why not opt for a hot and cold buffet (even
cater for yourself)? Instead of holding the reception in an
expensive hotel suite or wedding reception, why not consider
having it at someone’s home or a club, or even book a
restaurant. Keep an open bar to a minimal and only serve beer,
wine and soft drinks.
Photography
The obvious
choice is to shop around for the best rates, but consider hiring
a photographer for the ceremony only and ask a family member or
friend to take snap photos of the reception. Or you could go
one step further and ask them to take the photographs for the
whole day and not bother with the expense of a photographer at
all.
Invitations /
Stationery
If you’re on
a budget and looking for cheaper wedding stationery items, then
you might like to consider print-at-home invitation cards.
There are many online stationer’s that will offer this service
free of charge. You pay for the paper and envelopes, then use
their software to print directly from your own PC. With
sophisticated customization tools you'll be able to enter your
own text and preview it before you print so as not to make any
costly mistakes. Alternatively, you can buy software and
do-it-yourself from your PC.
Miscellaneous
Flowers can
be another great expense, but also an unnecessary one. Why not
buy wholesale flowers, or pick flowers from your garden (or a
friends or relatives). Buy plain gold or white gold wedding
bands as these are the cheapest. Get a friend to make your
wedding cake for you and opt for a smaller tier cake and it
doesn’t have to be a fruit cake – try a sponge, chocolate or
carrot cake! Make your favors and center-peices yourself.
Accessories for these can be found at little outlet stores or
online. Lastly, instead of a limousine why not rent a car or
borrow a luxury car from a friend or relative?
Summary
Weddings are
expensive if you want them to be. But if you want to keep money
aside for a deposit on a house or a honeymoon to remember, then
there are many cost cutting ideas. All you need is a little
imagination, and some help from friends and family and you too
can have a luxury wedding with all the trimmings.
Claire Bowes,
freelance writer
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