Get Married? NICE but CHEAP Wedding Ideas

Don't Look like You Went Cheap!

Beth Inman
Getting married? Everyone wants to have a nice wedding, but not everyone can afford it. There are a few things you can do to save money, and still have a day you will always remember with a smile.

Think small. You don't have to invite everyone you have ever known. Think first of immediate family, and don't leave anyone out. You want small, but don't want to hurt any feelings. Invite all members of the immediate family, but don't go outside of that circle. Including one aunt or one cousin, one brother or one sister, and not another will cause a lifetime of hard feelings. Then consider your very best friends. This should complete your list. After all, it really doesn't matter to anyone outside this circle if you get married or not, but family should always come first.

The smaller the place the further your decorations will go. Weddings don't always have to be in a church. God will recognize it even if it is not. There are many places you have your ceremony. It is very popular to hold a wedding ceremony in a garden or barefoot on the beach, and these are all perfect places. But what if that is not an option? Last night an aquaintance was married. They rented a vacant apartment in for a week to hold the wedding. The apartment was circa 1920's with 12' high ceiling complete with fabulous old ceiling tiles. Lovely French doors separated the rooms. The ceremony was held in the living room, with the adjacent room as the bridal room. The bedroom of course was the groom's room. They rented a portable bar and set it up in the dining room for champagne and hors d'oeuvers.

The apartment was void of any furniture, so there was ample room for the guests that attended. The decoration budget went a very long way towards flowers balloons and candles. This is a great source for fabulous candles...on the cheap! ...click here, but come back for the rest!

Buy flowers in season. This is a great way to save that we often don't think of. Your favorite flower may be Peace Lilies, but Gerber Daisies may be in season right now. Rethinking your flowers can save a lot on your budget, and also allow for more flowers.

Bridal party. If you are having a small ceremony, a bridal party is not necessary. You can have a maid of honor and best man, but it really is not necessary. In a wedding this size, it is such a close, personal occasion, everyone is standing up with you!

Plan a dinner after the wedding. This you pay for, but hold it somewhere that has after-hours entertainment. This will give you the reception party free of charge! For your dinner and cake you should use a banquet room, and then move to the entertainment area. Many places will offer this arrangement if they know you will be bringing a lot of people to party after-hours.

If you want wines and chocolates and are unsure which wine to pair with which chocolates, click here for a helpful guide.

If you still want a large special wedding, I have information on that as well. But you have to click here to read it!

If you are honey mooning in Key West, click here to read this information about FREE stuff...and click here to know where the best restaurants are.

For a great honeymoon idea in Hilton Head...click here.

This is a great honeymoon idea in St. Johns...click here.

If you have dry skin and want it to glow by your wedding day...click here!

Congratulations on your big day!

Published by Beth Inman

One of Y!CN's top writers, I lead a very busy life, but am learning to take time to do the things I like to do... for me. One of those things is to write.  View profile

9 Comments

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  • Jen7/20/2010

    I actually found this to be helpful. A lot of it was what I had already thought of, ex. going to a restaurant for dinner with an after hours. The only problem I'm having is finding a place that will do that. I'm in the pittsburgh area, if anyone knows of anything, PLEASE contact me at proudmommi21@yahoo.com -Thank you so much, Jen.

  • umm???5/9/2010

    if you are catholic weddings need to be in a church. God will NOT recognize it outside of his house. Find me a priest that will marry you on a beach. receptions however can be anywere.

  • advice please3/6/2009

    i only have a 5000 dollar budget and i need a nice but inexpensive place to hold my wedding ceromony
    any ideas?

  • happened to me4/24/2008

    Yes I agree! Always, Always, invite immediate family first....friends last...when you leave out family members this will create a huge gap in what was once a good relationship...Always think of the others feelings...family will be around alot longer than your so called friends...

  • Sunshine Red4/19/2008

    Great ideals!

  • Angel K.Y. Chau4/9/2008

    Thank you for sharing your great ideas. I have learned some thing new today. Also, you have encouraged me a lot. I thank God for you.

  • LEFT OUT BROTHER3/21/2008

    YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT LEAVING FAMILY OUT. MY SISTER INVITED HER NATURAL SISTERS AND NOT ME-HER STEP BROTHER. NOT SURE WHY, WE ALWAYS HAD A GOOD RELATIONSHIP-I THOUGHT?? THAT REALLY HURT MY FEELINGS, AND KILLED OUR RELATIONSHIP...PEOPLE NEED TO THINK

  • jcorn3/20/2008

    I like the way you gave examples from a real wedding!

  • Randy Inman3/18/2008

    Thanks for the article, I am getting married farily soon and we will be going over this again.

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