| 1. Plan and Organise! | | | | budget. Things like handling charges for the wedding |
| The more effort and time you put into organizing your | | | | cake; penalty costs if the reception goes overtime; |
| wedding, the more money you can save. It's important | | | | damages charges if things are broken etc. |
| that you set up a clear and detailed wedding plan so | | | | 4. Negotiate Prices With Suppliers |
| that you will know exactly what you need to buy | | | | It's very important that you work on getting the best |
| before you start spending money. Use folders to | | | | value for your money, especially when your wedding |
| organise your wedding, set up a separate folder for | | | | planning on a small budget. Don't be afraid to negotiate |
| each segment and label them wedding ceremony, | | | | a discount on all areas of your wedding, whether it be |
| reception, decorations etc. Setting up a system like this, | | | | the reception venue, the bridal outfits, the wedding |
| will help you to focus on planning one segment of your | | | | cake, the flowers etc. |
| wedding at a time. Being well organised will reduce the | | | | If family or friends offer to help with your wedding, |
| chances of you overspending on things you don't need. | | | | don't be shy to take up their offer. People love getting |
| 2. Get The Timing Right | | | | involved in planning a wedding and are only too glad to |
| Timing can play an important role when you're looking | | | | help out. You could save a lot of money if they offer |
| at saving money on your wedding. The time of year, | | | | to help with aspects of the wedding, such as take the |
| the day of the week and the time of day you choose | | | | photos or video, make the wedding cake, sew the |
| to hold your wedding can have a huge impact on your | | | | wedding outfits, do the flowers etc. |
| budget. The most expensive times to have a wedding | | | | 5. Set Your Priorities |
| are during the warmer months and around public | | | | Every wedding is different and yours will be too |
| holidays. Saturday is traditionally the most expensive | | | | depending on how much time and effort you're willing |
| day to hold a wedding and the afternoon to evening is | | | | to invest in planning your wedding. It's important to point |
| the most expensive time of day. Planning a wedding | | | | out that regardless of the cost or the number of |
| outside these times will save you a lot of money off | | | | guests you invite, it's very possible that you will be able |
| the total cost of your wedding. | | | | to organise a wedding with everything you ever |
| 3. Choose A Reception Venue Wisely | | | | dreamed of and still stay in your budget. It all depends |
| The wedding reception usually is the single biggest | | | | on how you set your priorities. You need to decide on |
| cost of any wedding. Take you time in searching for | | | | what aspects of your wedding are the most important |
| the best options for the type of reception you would | | | | and exclude those things that aren't. For example, you |
| like. Keep an open mind when it comes to the type of | | | | might decide that the ceremony is the most important |
| locations that are suitable according to the size of your | | | | aspect of your wedding. You could then put more time |
| budget. Make sure you carefully look at all reception | | | | and money on creating a truly beautiful ceremony and |
| packages and work out which ones offer the best | | | | then cut back on the reception budget by having |
| value for your money. Make sure you find out up front, | | | | something casual. |
| if there are any hidden costs that may affect your | | | | |