Low Budget Wedding Tips

Spring has sprung and love is in the air. Boy met girl; it was love at first sight, or at least love after 50 first dates. Either way, you and scooty pooty poo have agreed to tie the knot and jump the broom, but there's one small problem: you have more guests than money, a common quandary for dynamic duos with pending nuptials. The good news is your classy affair does not have to break the bank. You can still have a successful, low budget wedding with simple elegance and your own personal style. But how?

Wedding Tip #1:

Guess who's coming to dinner

The first thing you want to do is carve that guest list into stone, but the question is not who to invite, its who not to invite. Inviting close friends is a given and not inviting dreadful ex-partners is a clear no-brainer, but what about coworkers, distant relatives, and that guy you always see in the laundry room? The truth is you can invite as many people as you can comfortably accommodate at your ceremony site, but the reception is altogether a different matter.

Etiquette may suggest inviting people you are relatively close to, including associates and acquaintances, such as coworkers and managers. The reality is that the decision is completely subjective, meaning it is totally your call. The bottom line is every mouth singing your praises on your special day is a mouth you ultimately will be feeding. Do you really want to spend $45 per plate on Ted the barber and his on-again, off-again girlfriend? Think about what you want and how intimate you want your affair to be. Your guest list should reflect a circle of those who can celebrate you on your wedding day and not what is "socially correct". Do not be a prisoner of someone else's ideals. Hopefully, you will only get married once. Your wedding day should be your way; it is a celebration of love, commitment and the newness of life, not a family reunion. Sorry Aunt Bee.

Wedding Tip #2:

Location! Location! Location!

Now that you know how many people will comprise your low-budget wedding soiree, you can better seek out reception venues. Nature is always the perfect backdrop. You can save on overhead and have a setting unique to your affair. To keep more money in your pocket, try looking for outdoor venues such as local arboretums or even a friend's backyard, provided it's not overrun with weeds. If allergies are your nemesis and you do not want to be hopped up on drugs on your wedding day, you may want to skip the garden fare and opt for a beautiful beach wedding. You may want to have your wedding planner obtain information about the appropriate permits.

Since April showers bring May flowers, you may want to consider a location with both indoor and outdoor accommodations. Some hotels are located at very scenic locations, some even on lakes.

Wedding Tip # 3:

To Drink or Not to Drink

Let's face it; the food and beverage budget comprises much of the overall wedding budget. Alcoholic beverages can increase your budget astronomically. If you must have hooch, try a simple, yet elegant, cocktail hour. Or, you can opt for a cash bar instead of an open bar. It encourages guests to drink more responsibly while keeping more dough in your pocket. You'll need that extra cash for the honeymoon. Besides, why enter into a marriage in debt? Cut your costs early for a good, solid start.