| Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a | | | | need to visit the jewelers make sure to get both rings |
| bottomless pit of money when it comes to getting | | | | at once - you may get a discounted price when buying |
| married, but planning your dream wedding need not | | | | two. |
| land you in debt for the rest of your days. If you are | | | | 5: Wedding Photography |
| getting married on a budget, there are many ways to | | | | It is important to have some photographs of your |
| keep the cost down to a minimum - simply by | | | | wedding day - after all it is supposed to be the most |
| spending a little time and effort in the preparation | | | | special day of your life. However, a professional |
| phase. Here are just a few areas you should think | | | | photographer is not necessary when you have reliable |
| about when starting to make your plans. | | | | friends or family who can 'point and shoot'. Another |
| 1: Who to Invite? | | | | idea is to buy three or four disposable cameras and |
| Write down the names of the people you would like to | | | | ask people to take photos and pass the cameras |
| attend. Then go through the list again, striking off the | | | | around. You will then get a good mix of posed for and |
| names of those who, although you would like to attend, | | | | natural shots for your album. |
| are not close family or friends. Why not invite these | | | | 6: Getting to the church or wedding venue |
| people to attend the evening celebrations instead of | | | | If you have relatives or friends with a classy car, ask |
| the main event. Having decided who to invite, it's time | | | | them to escort you to the wedding. Adorn the |
| for the invitations. Professional invitations are usually | | | | adopted car with the usual wedding decorations, |
| excellent quality but could cost a fortune. With a little bit | | | | ribbons, horse-shoes etc. This is one area you can |
| of creativity you can make your own - by popping into | | | | save yourselves a fortune. |
| the local stationer's and buying plain cards and | | | | 7: The Wedding Reception |
| envelopes and using gold or silver pens to word the | | | | A town, church or community hall can usually be hired |
| invitation. Your invitations will then be original and will | | | | quite cheaply. Ensure dancing and alcohol licenses are |
| save you quite a bit of money. | | | | in place wherever you choose to have your reception. |
| 2: Wedding Outfits | | | | Some local pubs and even hotels will offer a room for |
| It is just as fashionable these days for the bride to | | | | free and you can hire a disc jockey, or even a |
| wear a smart suit or dress, which can be worn again | | | | karaoke by way of entertainment. If you decide to use |
| and again, instead of a traditional flowing white | | | | an established wedding venue or hotel, make sure to |
| wedding dress. However, if your heart is set on a | | | | take advantage of the, (usually free), offer of the |
| fairytale gown then it is best to hire the dress for the | | | | "bridal suite" for the wedding night. Instead of letting a |
| day. Dresses for bridesmaids, especially young and | | | | catering company provide the food, prepare a self |
| teenage girls, are available in most departmental stores | | | | service finger buffet yourself. A local catering college |
| for under £20 - and if necessary, you could ask | | | | may be able to help you with an inexpensive "waiting |
| them or their parents to buy their own outfit, or at least | | | | on" service. Buy wine and spirits wholesale to get the |
| pay a little towards the one you choose. For the | | | | best prices and make sure you sign a 'sale or return' |
| groom, hiring a suit is recommended. Many companies | | | | agreement. That way no alcohol purchased is wasted. |
| run special offers, and you may get a better deal if | | | | Quite a few of the larger off-license chains will supply |
| you get the best man and ushers suits from the same | | | | your glasses free of charge on a rental basis. Simply |
| company. Volume hiring or purchasing always gives | | | | ask around in order to discover the best deals. |
| you bargaining power. | | | | 8: The Honeymoon |
| 3: Hair and Make-Up | | | | If a tight budget has to be adhered to why not put a |
| We all know a hairdresser so no excuse is needed to | | | | "Honey Break" on your wedding list? Someone will |
| ask them to demonstrate their skills for our special day. | | | | happily snap up this, '2/3 day break gift' as their |
| They should be honored! You could even ask them for | | | | wedding gift to you. You can then plan to have a |
| a discount if they use your photos in their salon or if | | | | longer holiday when your finances allow. |
| you offer them a good testimonial. With regards to | | | | Final Words of Advice: |
| make up, departmental stores often carry out | | | | Arranging the perfect wedding needn't cost you the |
| makeovers free of charge. Take advantage of such | | | | earth. We've given you a taste of what can be |
| offers - even if it is only to learn how to apply your | | | | achieved in cost saving, with just a little bit of thought |
| make-up yourself on the day. | | | | and creativity. A budget wedding doesn't have to |
| 4: Wedding Rings | | | | mean a no frills wedding. Regardless of what you plan, |
| Before splashing out on expensive rings, consider if | | | | just remember that there are always unforeseen |
| you have any family heirlooms that you can use | | | | expenses which arise near to the wedding day, so it is |
| instead. These can have much greater sentimental | | | | wise to keep a little bit of money to one side, just in |
| value than any ring purchased from a jeweler. If you | | | | case! |