How to Save Money on Your Wedding and Still Have the Perfect Day

If you're one of the lucky ones that have proposed or have been proposed to, you're reading the right article. Read on for a few ways to save money on your wedding, and still have every girls' dream-wedding-come-true.

The Dress

The most important thing for the bride can also be the most expensive. How can you find the perfect dress, and not break the bank? Mom was right when she said 'Shop Around'. You don't have to purchase the first dress you see. Try on quite a few...make it a girl's weekend out to visit many stores and try on every dress. Some stores you might want to check out with decent prices:

David's Bridal Known for beautiful dresses at affordable prices.

EBay Believe it or not, you can find brand new dressed for a great price.

Best Bridal Prices.com They have some incredible dresses on their web site.

And, once you find the 'right one', don't be afraid to ask for a lower price. You never know how low you can go on a wedding dress until you ask. If you don't ask, you'll never know. Simply say something like, "What's the lowest price you can sell this dress for?" Most likely, the sales person works on commission and will want you to purchase the dress, so he'll do what he can to make that happen.

The Food

You don't have to hire a caterer. You can hire your family members. Anyone can make pigs in a blanket and finger sandwiches. Further, purchase the food from a wholesale store, like Sam's Club so everything will be even less expensive. Maybe a couple of your aunts or cousins might want to help. The ladies in the family always love to help out. Enlist the girls to make a buffet style arrangement that your guests will adore and so will your pocket!

The Cake

The cake tends to be another expensive part of the wedding, because we want it to be perfect, glorious in its layers and decorations. Little do some brides know that you don't have to hire a professional baker to have the perfect cake at your reception. Ask around for a family member or friend of a family member who is very artistic and a great baker. Chances are, there is someone who knows someone who can make the perfect cake for you. They may even do it for free as a wedding gift. There are kits you can purchase in department stores with detailed instructions on how to make a wedding cake, with different designs from which to choose. Believe it or not, Wal-mart has a very nice wedding isle with decorations and such, including the cake kits. If you aren't feeling up to the challenge, or don't want to risk a cake disaster, you can always purchase your cake from a local bakery. As a matter of fact, Wal-mart's bakery has gorgeous cakes that you can choose from and a talented baker will prepare it especially for you.

The Music

Whether you'd like a soloist during the wedding, a disc jockey, or a live band, there is a way to save money here, too! Always ask around the family for anyone who knows how to play an instrument or someone that has a band. If no one in the family is musically inclined, shop around for your music too, by asking friends for references from their wedding. When you interview your soloist, DJ, or band, ask how much they charge, then offer them a little less. So, say the DJ makes an offer of $600 per hour, you offer him $400 an hour. That is a respectable return offer. If he takes it, great. If not, tell him you'll give him a call. Chances are, he'll call you first to accept that offer.

Above all, remember that you can ask your family and friends to help decorate, plan events, etc. so that you can save money. Don't be afraid to ask for a lower price, or if there is another product that is comparable at a lower price.

There are always ways to save money on your wedding, and still have a wonderful time. If you're yearning for more ways to save money, visit these web sites:

http://couponing.about.com/cs/weddings/ht/htsaveonwed.htm

http://lifehacker.com/software/budget/save-money-on-your-wedding-199463.php

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/AllWoman/html/20060514T210000-0500_104637_OBS_YOUR_WEDDING__WAYS_TO_SAVE_MONEY__.asp

Or, check out this book from your local library:1001 ways to save money-- and still have a dazzling wedding by Sharon Naylor

Good luck in your wedding, and your life ever after!