Are Cheap Wedding Plans Possible?

You had stars in your eyes when your partner proposed to you, but the stars soon disappeared when you discovered that it would be too expensive to have your dream wedding. You may have wondered about the question: are there such things as cheap wedding planning?

Don't despair; there are such things as cheap wedding plans! A cheap wedding can be every bit as beautiful and stunning as an expensive wedding -- it's all a matter of getting the best value for your money and doing a lot of the planning yourself. But bear in mind, you have to forget about using a professional wedding planner or coordinator and do it all by yourself. However, this does not mean that it is not possible for you to have a charming, stunning wedding. You can still have the delightful wedding you want on a smaller budget if you just plan it properly.

The steps for drawing up cheap wedding plans are essentially the same as for planning any kind of wedding. You should sit down with your partner and begin to note down the essential things that need to be done. Whether you are getting married next year or next month, planning the details of your wedding can help ensure that your wedding day runs smoothly.

You need to perform the following steps:
1. The most important thing is to establish your wedding date.
2. Make an initial guest list, and then cut it down to the essential guests.
3. Draw up your budget.
4. Use the list of items that needs to be done and that needs to be purchased and make a timeline from it.
5. Make a list of family and friends who have special talents, hobbies, or businesses that you can make use of.

Tips for drawing up cheap wedding plans

1. The wedding day
It is usually cheaper to get married on a Friday than on a Saturday. Also consider having your wedding on a weeknight or a Sunday. There is less demand for these dates, so vendors will most likely be willing to give you a better deal.

2. Master of ceremonies
You surely have a friend or a family member who has the gift of the gab and will do it as a favor or as a wedding gift. A professional MOC may cost you an arm and a leg.

3. The reception
Have a potluck wedding reception. Many guests may be delighted, if not relieved, to be given the choice to bring a reception dish instead of a wedding gift. You will save a lot of money on catering expenses this way.

4. Items for the reception
Don't buy - rent or borrow as many items as possible. For example, items that you can borrow are a cake knife, serving set and toasting glasses. You can also get many items cheaply from eBay.

5. The reception venue
If you get married in a church, try to rent the church hall as the reception venue. These are usually cheaper than other venues, and the guests don't have to leave the church grounds to travel to another venue.

How do I ensure that I keep within my wedding's budget?

Don't feel alone when you ask this question. Did you know that going over a budget is the single biggest worry for marrying couples? It has been estimated that about 80% of couples go over budget when planning for their wedding.
by Amy Richardson