How to Have a Beautiful and Afforable Wedding

In our world today, costs are rising. Getting married and moving into your own home is costly enough without adding the expense of a wedding. Many people think that beautiful weddings have to be expensive. However, that is not true. If you are willing, you can easily create a wonderful and affordable wedding.

First make a list of your priorities. What are things that you consider to be must haves and what things can you live without? This list will vary form bride to bride. Some people feel that the location is important no matter the cost. Others are willing to spend more for catering and choose a cheaper location. Some brides feel that the cost of their gown cannot be sacrificed. Make your list and begin cutting corners with the items that mean the least to you. This way you will not feel that you are cheating yourself and you can still have a very affordable wedding.

If you are set on having an expensive dress, begin searching trading posts and want ads in papers and on the Internet. You would be surprise how many people sell their wedding dress for fractions of the new costs. Shop used and thrift stores. If you are not sentimental about keeping your dress, many places now offer rentals.

Locations can range from free to hundreds of dollars. If the location is not on your priority list, search for free or very little cost locations. Most churches offer free use of the building to their members. If you belong to a church, try there first. Also look for family members that may have a pretty landscape and would offer their yard for a wedding.

Timing can make all the difference with reception food. Plan an early afternoon wedding at about two or three o'clock. Your guests will have already eaten lunch and it will not be time for supper. No one will be expecting a meal. Hire someone for the cake and ask friends and family to help out with other small appetizers such as mints, nuts, and punch.

A band or DJ can really run up the cost of a reception and wedding. If you are looking for a more affordable wedding and can live without live entertainment, you can very cheaply create your own compact discs of music. Many people now have CD burners. Ask friends and family members for CD's of songs that you like, burn a CD and let it play throughout the reception. You will get the music that you enjoy and save hundreds of dollars on costs.

Decorate yourself. If your wedding is outside, few decorations are needed. Check with friends or neighbors and see who has flowers blooming that you can use. Ask around for fern growers and houseplants. Many beautiful arrangements can be made with pillar candles. You will be surprised how elegant few decorations can be. Simply placing small mirrors or bowls of floating candles on reception tables can go a long way.

Remember with organization and good planning your wedding can be beautiful and affordable.