5 Tips for Planning a Cheap Wedding that will Look Expensive

With the current economic crisis, brides are setting lower budgets for their special weddings. But just because your funds are limited, doesn’t mean your wedding can’t be everything you had hoped and dreamed for. By spending your money wisely and planning ahead using the following tips, your wedding can be beautiful and elegant as well as affordable.

Guest List and Head Count:
Begin your wedding planning by deciding exactly who you want present to share in your excitement. Do you want just your very closest friends and family or everyone you, your fiancé, and both sets of parents have ever known? You will obviously save money by limited those you invite but there are ways to accommodate everyone you wish to attend if you plan wisely from the very beginning. Your choice of venue and expenses for food, drink and more depend on your final head count.

Location:
Depending on your guest list quantity, you may want to consider having the ceremony and reception at your house or that of a friend or family member. Include in your budget a thorough house and carpet cleaning before and after the event. Not having to pay venue charges or be required to use a certain caterer is a cost savings measure. Or, one of the least expensive locations would be a church wedding with your reception on site. If climate in your area allows, an outdoor wedding may be possible and if planned well, the guests can stand.

Flowers and Decorations:
Flowers add to the occasion and pull your color palette together. They can be quite costly though so choose the number of bouquets or table arrangements wisely. Visit a local wholesaler or nursery and ask for suggestions. Perhaps lovely blooming potted plants will work and these can be planted in a yard later for a popular environmental touch. Use greenery to fill out arrangements you or a friend creates yourselves. Silk flowers bought on sale will last a lifetime and dyed daisies are more affordable than most cut flowers. A bunch of fresh flowers wrapped in silk ribbons make terrific bouquets. Look online for inspiration and treat your bridesmaids to a flower arranging class for a bit of fun and maybe even a little.

Party and Reception:
The follow-up to the actual ceremony should be a fun get-together for your family and friends at which they share their blessings for your happiness. It doesn’t have to be a formal seated dinner. From punch and cookies to light finger foods, consider the time of day when deciding how much or even if food is necessary. Perhaps your wedding cake alone will do. Alcohol can be quite pricey so if on a budget, you may want to keep your party alcohol free. Or, maybe a champagne toast is celebration enough.

Wedding Invitations:
Affordable wedding invitations are available online and it is surprising how truly elegant these invitations can look. Research the means by which they are produced. Thermography is a custom printing process that features slightly raised lettering that looks and feels much like costly engraved invitations but for a far lower price. These cheap wedding invitations and wedding announcements may cost less but they still include lovely embossing and feel like those that are priced much higher. You can find great selections of discount wedding invitations that are unique and elegant for under $1 each.

This is your big day and you are sure to have pleasant memories long after. From your wedding invitations to your honeymoon vacation, make wise choices and you will have the wedding of your dreams despite the amount of money spent. With friends and family there to wish you well, it is the happiness you feel on that day that will be remembered long after the flowers have wilted and the cake is gone. Plan for success and you are certain to experience your perfect wedding day.

wedding invitations
wedding invitations