You’re getting married and cannot wait to plan the wedding you’ve always dreamed about, but there’s just one thing that’s keeping you from being too excited, the financial end of things. It’s definitely no secret that weddings can be incredibly expensive events, but that’s only if you allow them to be as it’s certainly possible to have a beautiful wedding with all of the things you want, but without breaking the bank and starting out your married life under a mountain of growing debt.

Setting a Budget

No wedding should be planned without a concrete budget in place. Even if you aren’t sure of the exact amount you will have to spend on everything, a ballpark figure or estimate should be considered before the planning phase even begins. The budget doesn’t have to be anything fancy, a few simple sheets of paper in a notebook will suffice, but if you are computer savvy, by all means use one to create your wedding budget for the easiest and most convenient option.

Organizing Your Budget

Much like a wedding needs to have a set budget, that budget must also then be broken down into categories with dollar amounts assigned to each. Instead of saying you have $8,000 to spend on the wedding, break that down by expenses such as the food and cake, the reception site, the wedding gown, the invitations and decorations, and don’t forget to add a section for the honeymoon.

Planning the Wedding Yourself

By enlisting the help of family and friends, as well as your fiancé, you can easily plan a wedding of any size without the need for a professional wedding planner. This enables you to spend their fee, which depending where you live, can be rather steep, on something else needed for the wedding. Consider assigning specific tasks to different people, checking in with each periodically to note their progress, and when planning the wedding yourself, be sure to start as early as possible as the longer you wait, chances are the more money you’re going to end up spending.

Paring Down the Guest List

There’s no set rule that says you must invite every person the both of you has ever come in contact with during your lifetimes to your wedding. And, as far as coworkers are concerned, it usually just isn’t feasible for both of you to include everyone in the office or everyone you work with so it’s important to set a “rule” as to these guests and who to invite. Some couples settle on inviting only their bosses or immediate supervisors while others on a strict budget opt for omitting coworkers from the guest list altogether.

Shopping Smart

When buying what you’ll need for the wedding, such as wedding favors, invitations, decorations and the bridal party’s attire, you’ll soon notice that those things marked with the words “wedding” or “bridal” are mysteriously more expensive than other similar items.

For this reason it’s important to be creative in your wedding planning efforts and think outside of the box and instead of heading to the bridal shops, first begin your search online where you have the opportunity to save a considerable amount of money as well as a lot of precious time. Check your local dollar and discount stores as well as the newspaper to find a host of bargains.

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Are you a busy couple who are considering hiring a wedding planner? There is 1 thing you must know before making your decision.

Does the wedding planner receive “Kickbacks” or “Commission” from vendors?

If she does, you should not hire her. Most vendors who pay commission to wedding planners usually mark up the rate higher in order to cover the commission being paid. So, now you know the commission is actually paid by you, not the vendors. That means, you pay the wedding planner twice. Let’s not just say money, the quality and services from these vendors are also questionable. If their work is so good, they must get a lot of “natural” referrals and always fully booked. I don’t see any point that they need to pay the commission to the wedding planners if they are so good.

Unfortunately, it’s very common for wedding planners to receive kickbacks. So, you must ask that in person and read the contract clearly before signing. It’s not just common in wedding industries, but also in funeral services. When I was studying floral design, my teacher told me that floral designers, who want to get the jobs from some funeral homes, have to “bid” for the top 3 position on the vendor list. Don’t you feel sick when you know that people earn money in this way?

Liene at Blue Orchid Designs and Becker, a photographer blogged about this in more detail. I would suggest you take a look at their blog posts, it definitely helps you to be more educated.

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Buying a diamond ring, especially an engagement or wedding ring, is one of the most important purchases you will ever make in your life. For something so significant, it only makes sense to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible before making any decisions.

4 Benefits of Buying Online

1. Dot com retailers selling diamonds online have the ability to offer considerable savings simply due to the fact that there are none of the usual costs associated with operating the traditional brick-and-mortar type of business.
2. You’ll have the ability to see a far greater selection of rings and settings than you normally would at a conventional jewelers.
3. Comparison shopping also becomes considerably easier as many retailers conveniently list their diamond’s certification ID numbers so you are truly able to find the best deals.
4. You don’t need to deal with the salespeople, who may be helpful, but also pushy at times.

7 Tips for Buying Diamond Online

1. Spend some time in a few conventional jewelry stores to see the different cuts, settings, and styles of rings that are often used so that when you begin your search online, you’ll have a much better idea of what to start looking for.
2. Join Pricescope Forums to learning more about diamond pricing and grading. If you tell the online sellers that you are member of Pricescope Forums, they always offer a very special discount.
3. Check the company’s return policy before making your purchase. Inquire as to their shipping and handling policies as well, and ask about insurance, or what will happen if the ring is damaged or lost during shipment.
4. When buying diamond for wedding, always place your order in plenty of time to allow for returns if necessary.
5. When making your final decision, always check to see that the company’s website is secure, meaning that your information will be kept safe and private. You should be able to see “https” at the start of the address bar on their browser and locked padlock when completing your order form page. The 128-bit SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) gives you the highest level of protection.
6. Using a credit card to buy your diamonds is a wise choice, as in the event the ring isn’t as it was described, or some other unforeseen problem arises, most credit card companies will give customers a refund and also help take care of the issue with the vendor.
7. Be sure to have the ring appraised as soon as you receive it to ensure you’re really getting what you paid for.

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Wedding favors are an important part of any wedding. They give guests a memento to remember your wedding by, and they show your appreciation for their attendance and gifts. But wedding favors don’t have to break the bank.

Favors are usually sold in quantities. In most cases, the more you buy, the less your cost per favor. So if you want to save money, it’s best to buy one kind of favor for all of your guests. Here are some ideas for lovely yet inexpensive favors:

• Keychains - These make wonderful wedding favors. They’re inexpensive, they can be found in an infinite number of colors and themes, and everyone uses them. Whether your wedding theme is whimsical or ultra-romantic, you can find a keychain favor that fits perfectly with it.
• Bookmarks - Those little gold and silver bookmarks that clip onto the top of a page make elegant favors. They look expensive, but they are actually very reasonably priced. If you are the crafty type, you could also make your own custom bookmarks. All you’ll need is some card stock paper, embellishments, a laminator, and your creativity to make a one-of-a-kind bookmark favor.
• Picture frames - Wallet-sized picture frames are a great wedding favor choice. Guests can use them to display your wedding photo or one of their own pictures. You can find very nice, festive frame favors at low prices online and in stores.
• Candles and candleholders - Candles make practical yet romantic wedding favors. You can often find candles with their own holders at reasonable prices, or you could buy the candles and holders separately.
• Candy - Filling small tins, pails, or boxes with festive candy makes a thoughtful and inexpensive gift for your guests. Nuts, candy kisses, or mints are some of the things you could fill them with. Adding some pretty ribbon or tulle will make these favors extra special.
• Placecards or placecard holders that double as favors - It doesn’t get much more economical than finding a dual purpose for your favors. There are placecards and placecard holders available that double as picture frames, for example. These provide a clever way to save money. You could also use postcards related to your wedding theme as placecards, writing your guests’ names on the back of them.
• Coaster sets - You can find coaster sets in a variety of themes online or at a wedding supply store. These are very useful for your guests, and they are often inexpensive.

Giving your guests wedding favors is thoughtful, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. In addition to these ideas, there are lots of other favors that you could make yourself. Whether you choose to make your own favors or buy them in bulk, they will serve as a precious token of your gratitude.

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Any bride can tell you that weddings can be expensive. Before you stress out over the nickels and dimes take into account some of these budgeting tips to help you to get what you want for your wedding.

The time you choose can help you save. Carefully plan the time of your reception to be at a time when you do not have to serve a meal. Planning a wedding during the afternoon or mid-morning is much cheaper, food wise. You can serve appetizers and skip the main course, which will be much less expensive.

Make some of your wedding items yourself. If you’re especially crafty, you can create your own favors, centerpieces, and even possibly bouquets and other decorations saving you a lot of money. The supplies themselves can usually be found inexpensively at craft stores; it’s the labor that you are paying the big bucks for.

Keep your guest list small. Remember the more people you invite and feed, the more money you will put out. A small intimate wedding can be just as enjoyable as a large one; you can even skip the huge party and just go for a small reception. Having the wedding and the reception at the same location can also save you money.

Plan ahead. Most items you will purchase for your wedding will require either half payment upfront or a deposit. Remember this while planning so that you will not be caught in a difficult place. In addition, if you plan you can shop sales, or purchase items a little bit along to help stretch your budget.

Choose attire carefully. Sure, the dress in the magazine looks wonderful but you can just as easily find something beautiful in a local resale shop, during a big sale or even have something sewn especially for you.

Skip the entertainment. You do not have to entertain your guests. They came to celebrate with you and should understand doing so how you choose. You can just as easily have a special time to mingle with your guests during the reception rather than going all out with a big band or by hiring a DJ. Do not overdo and you can surely stick to your budget.

The ways to spend wisely on your wedding are unlimited. If you have other budgeting tips, please share it here.

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