With careful planning and a firm grip on reality, it is possible to plan an affordable wedding. In fact, it is even possible and preferable to plan a wedding that you can afford to pay for now.
The first step to an affordable wedding is to be objective. It is easy to become swept up in the process of planning a wedding, and in doing so lose sight of what is important.
An ice sculpture that seemed essential during the planning process may not seem so vital when you are still paying for it a year after the ceremony.
Make a list of everything that you want in your wedding; and then cross off the items that you can live without. If you have a hard time eliminating items, determine how long it will take you to pay for each item; and then ask yourself if it is still worth the cost.
Once you have made a realistic list, the next step is to get creative. Look at your list and determine if you can cut costs by taking on some of the projects yourself.
For example, custom ordered wedding invitations are beautiful, but costly. Consider making your own invitations. Most home ink jet printers are capable of producing high-resolution images that rival that of commercial printers.
With some heavy weight card stock and a word processing program you can produce your own custom invitations with little time commitment. In fact, designing your own invitations allows you the opportunity to personalize an important piece of your wedding.
Designing your own flower arrangements is also a great cost-cutter. While you may think this requires a great deal of expertise, think again. Anyone can design her own arrangements in a matter of minutes.
For a simple and elegant bouquet, gather a single rose and some baby's breath together, then secure the stems with a few strands of ribbon. The cost for the flowers and ribbon is minimal; however, the effect is anything but.
Taking a hands-on approach with planning is also a great way to get some of the expensive touches without the cost. If you are planning a nighttime ceremony, consider making luminaries to light the path to the church and reception hall.
