ALT-6 Tips for a Great but Low Budget Wedding
Ok, so he popped the question and you are soon to be the blushing bride, right? CONGRATULATIONS! Now the pressure is on to make your wedding dreams come true. To check the average cost of a wedding in your area, go to www.costofwedding.com. In my area, the average cost is $27,070. If you are anything like me, you don't just have this amount of cash laying around! I am going to help you plan your fabulous wedding on a shoestring budget!
Here are some money saving tips:
1. Cut the guest list. Sorry to say, but inviting everyone that you have ever known to your nuptials is not going to help your pocketbook. The number of people you invite may affect the costs of catering, the location, and the extras. The less people you invite, the more money you save!
2. Design and print your own invitations. This is less expensive than buying them premade and doesn't take that long. You can use your own printer (make sure you have plenty of ink cartridges on hand if you are printing quite a bit) and the software to make them only costs around $20 at a craft store like Micheal's or an office supply store.
3. Have a Potluck Dinner. You can request on your invitation that everyone bring a covered dish. You will have a large variety of food to choose from and it doesn't cost you a penny. Another way to cut the costs of food without the guests is to ask several of your family members to help make the food. Make a list of your favorite foods or foods that you would like served and ask around. Family and friends are a most excellent asset when it comes to your wedding. Most people would love to help with your wedding!
5. The cake. Many grocery stores offer "low budget" wedding cake options. They are still beautiful and delicious, but don't have all the frills of expensive gourmet cakes. Walmart/Sam's Club is an excellent place to start. Also, check with your local grocery store bakeries. They often have pictures of cakes and will help you tailor the cake to your specifications and budget.
6. Wedding Dress. This is also another place that your family and friends can come in handy. If you have crafty people around you, put them to good use! There are various sites on the Internet that sell patterns for wedding gowns. You can also buy designer wedding dresses at your local thrift stores. Not many people nowadays keep their gowns. Check your local phone books for wedding consignment shops, also. Shops like David's Bridal have their $99 dress sales several times a year. There are plenty of places to find your dream gown at a lower price.
7.Decorations and favors. Decorations can be found everywhere! For centerpieces, look for small glass bowls to fill with clear marbles and a small tea light. Surround with silk flowers. They are simple and beautiful! The fabric store would be a wonderful place to look for swags and table linens. Look in their clearance sections. The tables don't have to match. If you can find several colors that complement each other, use them! It will add dimension and a touch of uniqueness. As for favors, there are a number of inexpensive favors you can use. A handful of Hershey's kisses wrapped in a tulle "bag" tied with a ribbon is a great favor. Add a card to it that thanks the guest for coming and has your name on it for a keepsake.
These are just a few of the the ways to save money on your wedding. There are tons of resources out there for low cost wedding decorations and favors. Google ideas you might have. Your dream wedding is at your fingertips, but you might have to work a little harder to find the answers! Good luck and cheers to you and your future spouse!
