How to Get Your Wedding Dress, Invitations, and Decorations Cheap or Free

How to Have a Beautiful Affordable Wedding for Under $500

When I got married, we had very little money. Since it was my first time getting married, I wanted something very pretty, but we really could not afford it at the time. My husband was uninterested in a wedding and wanted to just go to the justice of the peace like he did with his first wife. I was determined, however, to have a beautiful wedding, no matter how poor we were. Our total cost for the entire wedding ended up being around $400. Try some of these tips for getting free or cheap items for your wedding.

Wedding Gowns

Your wedding gown can be one of the most expensive parts of your wedding, but it certainly does not need to be. There are several alternatives to big expensive wedding gowns. The most important thing you should do is never, and I mean absolutely NEVER open a single bridal magazine. All they will do is make you want a really fancy expensive gown and the gowns in those magazines cost several thousands of dollars.

Instead of wasting away drooling into an expensive magazine, come up with an idea in your own mind of what you would like. Your wedding dress does not have to be a huge white dress that looks like a frosted cake. All types of dresses are popular these days as well as a variety of colors. If you don't want a pure white dress, consider other colors such as pastels, silver, or gold.

Your dress also does not need to be an actual "wedding dress." If you go to a bridal boutique to find your dress, you are going to pay several times more for it simply because store owners expect you to pay more for something that you will be getting married in. Stores know there are big bucks in the wedding market, so stay out of that market as much as you can.

Ross and other closeout stores carry all types of dresses that can be used for a wedding. Evening gowns and different types of prom dresses can be very affordable. You may even be able to find a very pretty skirt and matching top by looking among the regular clothing. Check out regular department stores as well. They carry all types of things that could make a gorgeous wedding gown.