How to Have the Budget Wedding of Your Dreams

Your wedding doesn't have to be shabby to stay on a budget. Depending on how many guests you have, the costs will be still be enough to make you cringe - but you can minimize the wallet-thinning by cutting corners here and there without ruining your wedding.

The Dress

The most important part of the wedding? Many brides think so. You might think a designer gown is out of your price range, but that's not necessarily the case. Some local discount shops have an online presence, like Pearl's Place in Louisiana. You may have to call them for a quote, but it will typically be 50-70% less than the retail price of your chosen design.

If you'd rather spend only a few hundred dollars, consider The Bridal Online Store. They have many different designs and use high-quality fabric. It's not designer quality, but you won't be paying designer prices either.

The Venue

In a word: church.

Churches are the least expensive wedding venues you could hope for. While most wedding-oriented locations will charge thousands of dollars, a church might only charge you a few hundred, or nothing at all if you're a member, attendee, or if you profess to the faith. The next time you're driving around town, notice attractive local churches and look them up when you get home. Call and ask the secretary if they host weddings, and find out how much it will cost, if you need to consult with the church leaders, if you need to be religious, et cetera. Find out if one of the pastors will officiate, and how much that will cost as well. Chances are you will find a church that suits your wedding needs.

If you're not religious and running into roadblocks because of it, start searching for Unitarian churches who host weddings. They tend to be all-inclusive and not associated with strictly organized religion. They will likely be able to accommodate you if no one else can.

The Wedding Officiant

A wedding officiant is someone who, when given your license, will perform the marriage and turn the completed license in to the judge. Wedding officiants must be recognized by the local government; most wedding officiants are pastors, priests, or judges.

If you can't get a wedding officiant associated with a church, there are a few other options to consider.

Free-range wedding officiants exist all over the country. Many of them are pastors who seek to supplement their income by traveling to different locations and performing weddings not associated with their churches. Search for "wedding officiant [your city]" and see what comes up.

Rent-a-Priest is an organization of married Catholic priests, no longer recognized by the church, who are still legally able to perform weddings. See if there is one in your area; they are open to many belief systems and maintain a non-judgmental attitude.

Some county judges will travel to your location to perform a secular wedding. Find your local county clerk's office and make some phone calls. If your judge will travel, this is the most economical route: judges usually can't accept more than a small fee for weddings, around $50.

If you're completely out of options for a real wedding officiant, consider getting married at the county clerk's by a judge and then hold a wedding "ceremony" with an officiant of your choice - any friend, mentor, or relative who means a lot to you.

The Photographer

If you don't know anyone who's into photography, trawl the internet for local wedding photographers. Facebook is a good resource. Often young, talented photographers haven't gained enough experience to charge thousands of dollars, or will give you a discount for allowing them to use your wedding pictures in promotional materials.

If you really want to cut corners here, buy disposable cameras in bulk and give them to your guests. Encourage them to take as many snapshots as possible during the wedding and reception, and you may be surprised at how good some of them turn out.

The Decorations

Fresh flowers are usually expensive, but if you're willing to do your own wedding arrangements, you can buy flowers in bulk at a reasonable price. Websites like American Floral Distributors have a good selection; buy by the case for the best deal. Wedding arrangements are typically more expensive. Also check with local florists and craft stores.

For the rest of the decorations, also consider DIY. Tablecloths, chair coverings, garlands, and the like are easy to assemble with raw materials from the craft store. Look at pictures of weddings to see what other people have done, and try replicating what you like. There's almost no limit to what you can create.

The Food

Many weddings serve a meal, but you don't have to. If you set the time of the reception around 8 in the evening or 2 in the afternoon, it's easy to avoid mealtimes. In the wedding invitations, just say "cake and refreshments will be served" and order a few nice deli platters in lieu of an expensive meal.

On the other hand, if you don't have many guests, you might be able to afford reasonably-priced catering. Search around locally; sometimes grocery stores provide catering, and if you have a favorite restaurant, see if they can accommodate you. If not, consider holding the reception as an informal party at the restaurant. The restaurant might be able to draw up a few fixed menus within your price range if you can guarantee a certain number of guests.

The Final Word

It's quite possible to have a wedding without going completely broke. With these tips in mind, you can enjoy the best day of your life, worry-free.