Everyone wants their wedding day to be absolutely perfect, and no one wants to go into debt to finance their big day. However, the cost can quickly overcome your planned budget. Here are five steps to keep your wedding budget within your means and start off your marriage debt-free!

Set a date far in the future. If you haven’t saved anything for your wedding, choosing a wedding date a year from the proposal can be too financially draining. Choosing a date two or more years in the future will allow you more time to save and plan. Setting a date farther into the future will also give you more time to complete any projects you would like to do yourself, such as the centerpieces or favors.

Plan the wedding before you make a single call. Before you look at gowns, sample cakes or visit venues, you and your future spouse need to plan exactly what you would like. Hammer out the details of what is wanted, what is negotiable and what is firm. If you decide to change the plan later, as is likely, you will at least know what both of you prefers. This will give you a good idea of where to start.

Price everything you need, but do not buy anything yet. Make a detailed list of the best prices you can find for each item. For example, once you have decided on the gown, search online and in discount warehouses to see if it can be had for hundreds or even thousands less that you might pay at a wedding boutique. The same goes for linens, tuxedos, decorations, favors and food. With this detailed list in hand, it is now time to plan where you will get the necessary financing.

Approach both sets of parents for a firm dollar amount for their contributions, if any, and form an exact budget. While it is traditional for the parents of both the bride and groom to assist in paying for the wedding, many parents today are unable or unwilling to help. Approach both sets of parents in a non-confrontational manner with your list of needs in hand and simply ask if they will be able to contribute financially. No matter what the answer is, get a firm dollar amount, even if that amount is zero. You will need to know precisely where you stand before you begin making purchases and putting down deposits.

You and your fiance will also need to discuss how you will save for the wedding, should you need to do some of the financing yourselves. Decide how much you can afford to sock away each month to meet your goals. Add all of the wedding-relating income together with any contributions from your parents and revise the wedding plan as needed.

Finally, haggle and shop. Even though you have already gleaned the lowest prices from your previous planning sessions, don’t be afraid to ask for a discount! This is especially true if you are making several purchases from one vendor. For example, if you are purchasing your gown and three bridesmaids’ dresses at a single shop, don’t be too timid to ask for a discount on shoes or matching bags. Sometimes, you can shave down the cost simply by asking.

Having a debt-free dream wedding can be simple if you are willing to invest the time and effort into drawing up a clear plan, searching for the best prices and asking for any applicable discounts. You and your new spouse can enjoy a debt-free wedding and start your new life together without a mountain of bills to pay down!

Matt Becker is a freelance writer and blogs for USAPaydayLoan.com.

For many people who live in cold climes an outdoor wedding is not even an option but there are lots of lucky people who have the luxury of choice. Outdoor weddings have become extremely popular in the last few years and are now a viable option for many couples. Maybe you are getting married and are torn between a stunning venue and a picturesque garden? How do you choose? Well, there are many things to be taken into consideration when planning an outdoor wedding such as location, weather and budget.

Too Hot To Handle

If you are planning an outdoor wedding then you need to be fairly confident in the weather. Many couples focus so much on whether or not it will rain or be cold that they completely forget to think about how hot it might get. You don’t want your guests melting away during your ceremony if it is a blisteringly hot day. You could choose a nice shady spot next to some trees. Not only will this provide some respite from the heat but the greenery will look great in your pictures. You could also get your ushers to hand out bottles of water and fans to guests as they arrive.

Done Be Gone With the Wind

Wind is definitely an enemy of the outdoor weddings and is something that many couples will likely encounter on their big day. Take this into consideration when choosing your dress as well as the bridesmaid’s dresses. The last thing you want is a Marilyn Monroe moment when walking down the aisle. Choose fabrics with some weight to them so that they are not blown around easily. Also, ask your hair stylist for their opinion on the best stay-put styles for outdoors weddings. Many will be able to offer some great advice and ensure that your hair looks great despite the wind!

Make sure it is not a mission impossible

For many outdoor weddings you will require a special permit from your local council or other authority. This is one of the very first things that you need to find out. Planning your big day, spending your budget and then discovering that your wedding is halted by red tape is not good! If there are any issues in obtaining a permit for your outdoor ceremony then you could hold a blessing instead. This would mean being married at your local registry office beforehand so that all the legal requirements are taken care of.

Vicky loves all things related to wedding days! She especially loves to write about unique and unusual wedding venues, themes and decorations.

The average American wedding nowadays costs in the ballpark of $30,000. For some brides with deep pockets (or family with deep pockets), this is perfectly doable, but the majority can’t sacrifice a year’s pay or go into debt for a wedding. Don’t fret, however, because you can still have a beautiful wedding on a budget. Just follow some of these money-saving tips to instantly trim dollars off your final bill without sacrificing what you really want.

Trim The Guest List
Having fewer guests is the quickest way to pare down your wedding expenses, since it reduces the amount of space you need and how much food and alcohol you have to pay for. It can be hard to cut people out, but a good way to start is to sit down and make a list of those you absolutely must have at your wedding. Once you have that list and a set budget, work from there.

Consider Food Options
A full-course meal with appetizers, entrees, desserts and drinks can get very expensive quickly. Cocktail receptions, a light lunch, a morning buffet or even a tea is often significantly cheaper than a full dinner. It can also make it easier to mingle with your guests and get great candid photos. Just make sure to have a chair available for every guest, and don’t plan your reception around a time where guests would expect a full meal.

Serve Sheet Cake
Wedding cakes can cost hundreds of dollars, but you don’t need to have a big one. If you want to have a nice cake to cut in front of guests, purchase one or two beautiful tiers and have a sheet cake in the back to be sliced and served to guests. Most of the cost is in the decorations, and no one will care or notice as long as it still tastes great.

Skip The Pricey Extras
Do you need escort cards or favors? Does the bar have to be open all night? Are you satisfied with a simple sterling silver or gold wedding band instead of a platinum one? Will you care after the wedding that your shoes weren’t designer Louboutins? You don’t have to cut every detail, but you don’t have to worry about each one, either. Prioritize your wants/needs for the wedding and skip whatever else the budget doesn’t allow.

Negotiate With Your Photographer
Photography is one expense you shouldn’t try to avoid all together. If you need to trim the photo bill, make sure to negotiate with your photographer. Have him/her for the ceremony and reception only, rather than all day. Look into booking an engagement session at the same time, since may come free or discounted. You can also negotiate purchasing the copyright release on your photos, so you can edit and print them wherever you can afford.

DIY Where You Can
Do-it-yourself brides often spend a lot less on their weddings, so long as they plan ahead and have backups. You can design and print your own invitations and other stationary, make your own bouquets or centerpieces and any number of other projects. You can also do small things to trim your bills, such as addressing your own invitations instead of hiring a calligrapher.

If you’re trying to save money on your wedding costs, checkout Stylish Weddings Melbourne. They specialize in affordable wedding accessories, but affordable doesn’t have to mean cheap or drab looking. Browse their range for yourself to see that unique and stylish accessories can also be affordable!

Your wedding is one of the most, it not the most exciting day of your life – though it does take a lot of organization. One of the best ways to ease the burden when arranging the day, is to create a website for your wedding and here’s why.

Stand Out

The competition to create the best wedding invite is at the best, friendly and at the worst, cut-throat. However, by using a website, your day will stand out while allowing for a personal touch, for others to share in the joy of your wedding, reception and honeymoon.

There are a number of easy to use software programs that allow you to create a site in a shorter period of time. The simple nature of these sites also means that technophobes won’t have many problems navigating around them.

Pictures

A wedding site is also a great place to post photos after the big day, or for the honeymoon. By adding a page to your site for images everyone who is invited to your big day will get the opportunity to gain easy access to your pictures.

Wedding List

Creating a web site also allows you to create a wedding list on your site. This allows you to cut down on contact and organisation over this often busy element of a wedding. If you have an online wish list, you can often allow family and friends to buy online – ensuring they won’t have to travel to the shop to purchase the goods!

The Wedding and Reception

Wedding websites also allow you to inform those coming to the wedding, where it is and why you chose it. Why do you love the place you are getting married and why is the reception venue special to you as a couple?

This also allows you to post directions, maps, links to the venue and any other information you deem necessary, making it a one-stop shop for all thing’s weddings.

Meals and Accommodation

It’s also a great idea to place a list of the meal choices on your site. This allows guests to contact you directly if they have any dietary needs and also give people the chance to choose in advance.

You may also wish to provide a list of accommodation with pricing for those who wish to stay in proximity to the wedding. This can provide links, maps and other information for those wishing to stay overnight.

Music

Of course, you are going to have music at your wedding. So, give the guests a feel for it before they arrive. Add a wedding music list and perhaps even give the guests and option to vote for or like some of the songs on the wedding music list. You can also explain why you’ve chosen a certain song for your first dance and even set up a page allowing people to download particular songs if they wish.

Thank You

When the wedding is all over, you can place a thank you video on your site, thanking those who have attended. Recording the thank you at the end of the reception is a nice, thoughtful way to do this, showing you thought of others on your special day.

Afterwards

We’re all aware that many people get married at a certain time of their lives, just as many of their friends do. Placing a list of vendors on the site may also help others getting married or looking to cater for some event of their own in finding a service. Vendors will also appreciate the advertisement and you can use it to perhaps get a discount:-)

John is a guest writer from Basekit who provide simple tools to help you create a great looking, free wedding website in minutes.