Creating a Magical and Unique Wedding on a Shoestring Budget

Let's face it. Weddings can be outrageously expensive. How much can you afford to spend on your wedding without going into debt? You can easily drop the cost of a college education on this one special day. However, you really can create a magical and unique ceremony on a shoestring. At the weddings I have attended, what truly made them special cost nothing.

Start by setting a budget, one that is less than what you can actually afford so you have a little room for surprises. Include in your budget all of your available assets: cash you have set aside for the wedding, financial help from a family member or friend, and your non-financial resources, like friends. Who do you know that can take professional-level photographs? Who is a caterer or great cook? Who can sew? Ask your community if they might help you with aspects of your wedding like flowers, music, photography, and so on. These contributions will not only save you thousands of dollars, but also creates a more unique and magical wedding. Include these resources in your budget.

Be clear and honest with people: If a friend agrees to take pictures, make sure you are clear if she will be paid, if you will buy her plane ticket to get to your wedding, if she gets to keep negatives for her portfolio, or any other specifics. Figure out these details at the beginning so you don't have to think about them later, when more important things like walking down the aisle will be on your mind.

One way to stick to your budget is to set up a savings account just for wedding expenses. Spend only from this account when hiring vendors and purchasing wedding items like flowers. That way you will be less likely to overspend by tapping into non-wedding funds.