Instructions
Plan ahead
- 1 Make sections in a binder with the following titles: invitations and stationery, flowers and decorations, attendants, clothes, wedding location, reception location, participants that must be paid for their services such as the minister and musicians, photography, food and wedding cake.
2 Discuss the choices you have to make with your fiance and parents if they are contributing financially. Set up a budget and plan to adhere to it to have a cheap wedding. Save a portion of the money needed each month before the wedding month. Plan and write down the amount you will be spending on each section in your binder.
3 Make a list of friends and family who have talent to help in the various sections listed in your binder. Talk to each person and ask if they are willing to help you make your cheap yet nice wedding happen. Discuss with them what you want to do and make sure they understand that they are helping you without any need to take over for you.
4 Make your own invitations. Craft them with card stock and vellum inserts or use a computer program to design them.
5 Meet with a photographer several months ahead of time and find out if the business offers discounts if you pay ahead. Check if the photographer gives a discount if you allow your photos to be used in the business advertising. It never hurts to ask.
The Wedding Itself
- 6 Decide if you can make your own floral pieces. Ask yourself if you will be happy with silk heirloom bouquets and work on them ahead of time. Store them in plastic for protection and save a lot of money by doing it yourself. Ask a family member or best friend that is crafty to teach you how to do this if you feel you need help. Make cascading ribbon florist bows to compliment bridesmaids' single roses, lilies or carnations if your heart is set on real flowers. Work a florist created wedding bouquet into your budget.
7 Decorate the church with rented candelabra, plants and silk arrangements to cut the budget. Decorate an arch in the family garden and have an at-home event to save on building fees.
8 Plan to have the flower girl toss petals and skip a wedding carpet.
9 Meet with bridesmaids and plan what they can wear. Find out if anyone in the family or group is willing to sew dresses for the day. Go shopping together for cloth when sales are taking place. Shop for discount clothes in consignment shops, online and at thrift stores. Check out opportunities for clothes or costume rentals. Re-vamp dresses or gowns that the group already owns.
10 Ask family, friends, acquaintances to sing or play an instrument at your wedding to save money.
The Reception
- 11 Use decorations from the wedding ceremony at the reception.
12 Prepare foods as a group the day before the ceremony to save on a catering bill. Plan your wedding at a time of day when you can serve appetizers and dessert only to save on the major cost of a full meal. Skip a major alcohol bill. Ask family and friends to share in a pot luck meal or barbecue for a more intimate gathering.
13 Make wedding favors yourselves. Gather the wedding party participants together for an evening of supper, fun and crafts.
14 Bake and decorate your own cake. Ask your favorite baking aunt or one of your fiance's family members to make your cake if the idea intimidates you. Tell her you'd treasure that labor of love as a wedding gift. Shop with her and buy the ingredients from your budget.
