How to Have a Cheap Wedding that Looks Expensive

Cheap weddings are growing in popularity as incomes shrink but that doesn’t mean your wedding cannot be just as lovely and elegant as you had hoped for.  With a bit of planning and putting your limited funds in the right areas, your wedding can look expensive and be just as much fun as those that cost far more.  Here are some tips to consider when planning your perfect wedding day.

Guest List.  Decide now if you want a simple close family and friends wedding attended by just a few or a large gathering of everyone you and your intended and both sets of parents know.  This single decision will have a large impact on your budget.  Your head count will determine venue size, food and drink expenses and more.  You will save money by including fewer guests but if a large group is what you’ve always dreamed of there are ways to accommodate them if you plan ahead.

Venue.  A church ceremony with the reception there as well is your least expensive option.  Another plan is to have your ceremony and/or reception at your house or that of a friend or family member who is willing, providing the space can accommodate your invited guests.  There is no need to pay for a venue but it would be appropriate to pay for carpet cleaning and/or housekeeping before and after as a gesture of goodwill if you impose on a friend or family member.  If weather permits, you can have an outdoor wedding.  Rented chairs aren’t necessarily required.

Invitations.  Invitations set the tone for your wedding but cheap wedding invitations can also be elegant wedding invitations if chosen correctly.  Invitations printed by a process called thermography look and feel like more costly engraved invitations.  The letters are slightly raised and all invitations or wedding announcements are custom imprinted with your specific information.  For example, for $.89 each for 100 invitations, you can purchase online lovely embossed discount wedding invitations with lined envelopes that are elegant and affordable.

Flowers.  Flowers can cost a lot or a little.  Dyed daisies are less expensive than roses and greenery can be used to fill out arrangements allowing you to use fewer cut flowers.  Bouquets can be bunches of flowers wrapped with silk ribbon.  A florist can offer tips for saving money.  Consider using blooming potted plants that can be planted in your yard later. You might also consider using silk flowers.  Craft store coupons are available and they will last beyond your wedding day.  Whether you choose fresh or silk flowers, you can save money by arranging them yourself or asking a friend to help. 

Reception.  Nothing says you have to stage a full course seated dinner for your guests.  A reception is an opportunity for your friends and family to congratulate you on your marriage and have a bit of fun gathering in one place.  Punch and cookies are all you really have to offer along with the traditional wedding cake.  Of course you can expand upon that with finger foods and/or a buffet if you feel the need to feed your guests.  To save money, do it yourself by preparing foods in advance that can be put out later by a friend.  Alcohol is a large added expense.  Consider a champagne toast instead.  The time of day dictates expectations to a large extent so plan accordingly.  

The amount of money you spend on your wedding will not affect the happiness you and your fiancé experience once you are officially a married couple.  From the wedding invitations to the honeymoon, it is your wedding and you are the one that needs to be happy with the way it is managed.  Your friends and family are there to support you and wish you all the best and just the joy of having them there will insure pleasant memories whenever you remember your perfect wedding day.