ComputerHunter.org

 

How to Plan a Cheap Wedding


There's no doubt about it, weddings can be expensive. The average cost of a wedding today is $20,000 ? $25,000, and weddings are estimated to be a $25.3 billion industry. But don't worry if your budget cannot stretch for the most expensive custom-made gown, elegant invitation cards, or the top photographer, it doesn't mean that your wedding will be any less unique or special than anyone else's.

You just need a bit of guidance and a few tips to help you achieve the dream of your big day. Here are a few suggestions with tips on how to save on some of the more expensive aspects of a wedding.

Wedding Gowns

Do you really need a hand-made wedding dress with beads and diamantes? This is where the big cost is and there are several options in cutting the cost. Why not opt for a second-hand wedding dress? It's probably only been worn once anyway and you can get a once expensive dress for half the price. Consider buying an evening gown/cocktail dress from a department store or look into renting your wedding dress for the day.

The Reception

This is where the cost of a wedding can get out of hand. The wedding reception is normally the biggest expense, but one of the easiest to cut down on costs. Statistics show that an average of 189 guests attend a wedding, this is a lot. Try and keep your guest list to a minimum, do you really need to invite family members who you have never seen for years? Instead of a three-course meal why not opt for a hot and cold buffet (even cater for yourself)? Instead of holding the reception in an expensive hotel suite or wedding reception, why not consider having it at someone's home or a club, or even book a restaurant. Keep an open bar to a minimal and only serve beer, wine and soft drinks.

Photography

The obvious choice is to shop around for the best rates, but consider hiring a photographer for the ceremony only and ask a family member or friend to take snap photos of the reception. Or you could go one step further and ask them to take the photographs for the whole day and not bother with the expense of a photographer at all.

Invitations / Stationery

If you're on a budget and looking for cheaper wedding stationery items, then you might like to consider print-at-home http://www.1st-for-greeting-cards.com/invitation-cards.html There are many online stationer's that will offer this service free of charge. You pay for the paper and envelopes, then use their software to print directly from your own PC. With sophisticated customization tools you'll be able to enter your own text and preview it before you print so as not to make any costly mistakes. Alternatively, you can buy software and do-it-yourself from your PC.

Miscellaneous

Flowers can be another great expense, but also an unnecessary one. Why not buy wholesale flowers, or pick flowers from your garden (or a friends or relatives). Buy plain gold or white gold wedding bands as these are the cheapest. Get a friend to make your wedding cake for you and opt for a smaller tier cake and it doesn't have to be a fruit cake ? try a sponge, chocolate or carrot cake! Make your favors and center-peices yourself. Accessories for these can be found at little outlet stores or online. Lastly, instead of a limousine why not rent a car or borrow a luxury car from a friend or relative?

Summary

Weddings are expensive if you want them to be. But if you want to keep money aside for a deposit on a house or a honeymoon to remember, then there are many cost cutting ideas. All you need is a little imagination, and some help from friends and family and you too can have a luxury wedding with all the trimmings.

About The Author

Claire Bowes is a freelance write and owner of http://www.1st-for-greeting-cards.com where you will find further tips and advice on invitation cards ( http://www.1st-for-greeting-cards.com/invitation-cards.html ) and personalized stationery ( http://www.1st-for-greeting-cards.com/personalized-stationery.html ).







Google News - Top Stories

Vancouver Sun

Debate day reading list for the second Obama/McCain verbal battle
Los Angeles Times - 1 hour ago
The second presidential debate is fast approaching. We'll be live blogging the Town-Hall style forum here, beginning at 5:30 pm PST, like we did the first faceoff between John McCain and Barack Obama and the encounter between the vice presidential ...
Nashville Knockout: What To Watch For Washington Post
Debate Round Two: It Just Might Get Nasty ABC News
Newsday - USA Today - New York Daily News - CNN
all 1,617 news articles


Los Angeles Times

Dow dips more than 500 on worries about financials
Forbes - 3 hours ago
By TIM PARADIS 10.07.08, 5:16 PM ET The misery worsened on Wall Street Tuesday, with stocks piling on losses late in the session and bringing the two-day decline in the Dow Jones industrials to more than 875 points amid escalating worries about credit ...
Video: Stocks Fluctuate After Fed Corporate Debt Plan AssociatedPress
Dow plunges 508 points as Fed chief warns of dark days ahead guardian.co.uk
MarketWatch - TIME - CNN - WKRG-TV
all 2,368 news articles


The Age

Two dead as Thai troops battle protesters
guardian.co.uk - 1 hour ago
Anti-government protesters clash with police outside the parliament in Bangkok. Photograph: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA Troops were deployed on the streets of Bangkok last night to bolster Thai police after a day of clashes with anti-government protesters left ...
Video: Raw Video: Tear Gas Fired at Thai Protestors AssociatedPress
Thai Army Sends Troops to Help Police Keep Peace Washington Post
Reuters - AFP - Bloomberg - The Associated Press
all 1,426 news articles


The Associated Press

Non-Profit Raided In Voter Fraud Probe
CBS News - 1 hour ago
ACORN workers Carlos McCoy and Charmaine Davis try to register voters Sept. 1, 2006, outside the Franklin County Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio.
ACORN office in Vegas raided in voter-fraud probe The Associated Press
ACORN Nevada Office Raided Washington Post
CNN Political Ticker - USA Today - Nevada Appeal - ireport
all 183 news articles


Washington Post

Reporter's Notebook: Star Witness Concludes Testimony in Stevens Trial
FOXNews - 2 hours ago
By Ian McCaleb The government's star witness in the trial of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens left the court for good on Tuesday, having finished a draining new round of testimony, before the prosecution team rolled out more audio tapes it seems to think will ...
Stevens’s Lawyer Challenges Witness New York Times
On tape: Stevems' friends plotted to hide free work Minneapolis Star Tribune
Forbes - Washington Post - Los Angeles Times - United Press International
all 943 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base