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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.
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For further information, please visit
1st for greeting cards
where you will find advice and tips on sending
invitation
cards,
printable greeting cards, and choosing
personalized stationery items.
Claire Bowes, freelance writer
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