Your Dream Wedding: Tips for a Classy, Cost-Efficient Wedding

Hundreds of websites exist to offer brides help for their weddings. But so many have clichéd party favors and run-of-the mill suggestions. If one thing can be said, it's that weddings are a ton of work. As someone who has been in several weddings and has been a guest in nearly forty, I know that weddings can be extravagant, unique, over-the-top, extraordinary, and expensive. Or they can be ordinary, boring, and still, expensive. I've done a lot of planning and helping for other people's weddings and unless you're going to Vegas, a wedding will never be cheap. Since this is a hugely momentous occasion, it should be as beautiful and as perfect as you'd expect. However, a beautiful and classic wedding can be done without exorbitant expenses.

Personally, I've always dreamed of a very large wedding in a beautiful church along with a beautiful hall for the reception. This never really screamed "affordable". Now that I'm old enough to understand the costs, I've found a lot of viable options that will save money and allow me to keep my vision. First and foremost, you have to prioritize. If you and your fiancée agree that a wonderful sit-down dinner at a unique hall is a must-have for your wedding, then you'll have to understand that it will cost more than a less formal option and expenses may need to be trimmed in other areas to allow for it. Choose two to three things that you know will be costly but that you aren't willing to cut corners on. For example, the dinner, the reception hall, and the bridal gown might be three things that you have specifically in mind that you don't want to jeopardize by cost-cutting. A beautiful mansion ballroom with valet parking and gourmet catering will cost more than a hotel ballroom with buffet-style dinner. These are the things that need to be sorted out and arranged first. Remember, early reservations can save you money, and knowing ahead of time what the cost is going to be will help you keep your budget in line. Plus, you can start putting away money with a goal number in mind based on the price for a dinner and hall.

A simple, gorgeous centerpiece that you can easily make yourself

Credit: blooms.com

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