You may heard that the average cost of a single wedding is around $27,000.

Now get ready for this one.

Can you believe that the average cost of a SECOND  wedding is around $12,000?

In other words, the first timers (probably without any experience) spend more than twice of what the second timers spend.

That tells me that having experience can save you more than $10,000.

Of course, there may be other factors like number of guests and wedding qualities. But I guarantee that experience and know-how’s are the main factors.

If you want to know how you can save $1,000’s or even $10,000’s for your wedding, I strongly recommend that you read Erica Yoon’s Amazing Wedding Planning guide. She has saved over $10,000 on her wedding and reveals just exactly how she did it.

And she will also layout the process in easy to follow step-by-step so you can duplicate the process.

For more information… visit her website

You choose whether you want to spend $27,000 or $12,000.

General Planning Tips, Getting Started | No Comments »

In every couple’s life the wedding is one of the most important and emotional events, but it can also be a heavy burden when it comes to worrying about the budget. Whatever you do it will stay a meaningful outlay, but there are many ways in which you can significantly lower the costs without making this day a less exciting and special event. Planning a wedding on a tight budget is not so unachievable as it seems, you just have to plan ahead and be creative. No one ever announced that you have to invite enough guests to fill up a small town or provide the entertainment of the year to have the perfect and most remembered wedding day. In fact, depending on a smaller budget can help you aim your choices on quality, originality and to focus on the things you most care for in this special day, making your life a lot easier if you are properly disposed.

Here are a few main guiding lines for the small budget-wedding planner. One of the first choices is to decide on the location of the event, initially selecting an indoor or outdoor celebration. This will help you narrow your choices and guide you towards a particular type of decorations and arrangements. Once you have this settled down, many other details can be arranged according with your budget. If you decide to have your wedding outdoors you can already save a lot of money, and accordingly create a simple but charming atmosphere suitable for any gossip magazine. Use good taste and imagination to make the best out of your site. Choosing the right colors for the decorations, flower arrangements and even to match the wedding participants’ attire can have a great impact on the effect of the ceremony.

Styling is an art, and you can also accept the help of a few of your tasteful acquaintances to create a magical atmosphere without draining out your wallet. Here step in your innovative skills. Think deeper, use your imagination. You can easily find cheaper way than the conventional ones to deliver your needs, friends you can ask for professional help or advice, new ways to manufacture wedding favors or invitations, making them unique but not especially more expensive. Surely you have one or two friends who have artistic skills which can assist you in your wedding planning, and they will doubtlessly be glad to back you up and at the same time get a free advertisement for their work.

Even in planning this occasionally burdensome event you can settle down for a simpler but much more unique and memorable experience by simply putting your own charm in it. No need for a grandiose and extravagant wedding day to make it well remembered. With just a bit of planning ahead, spirit and good taste this special day can become a day to be remembered, but not by your wallet.

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Article submitted by our guest writer,  planning professional Igal of Weddings 4 U. Igal offers a wonderful online wedding planning guide and wedding planning software that can help you get organized, plan effectively and save money.

General Planning Tips, Getting Started | No Comments »

So - you just got engaged, and now you to plan an affordable yet beautiful wedding but you have no idea were to start. Believe me, you are not along - wedding planning is overwhelming and most brides have no idea were to start.

The FIRST thing you should do it get organized and get your resources together. Here are the things I recommend to all brides:

1. Sign up for your Free Online Wedding Planner - it is amazing and will help keep everything in order.

2. Sign up for Stephi’s free newsletter at Fire Your Wedding Planner - it is always full of very valuable advise for an affordable wedding. She also has a very good ebook you might want to consider.

3. I also recommend purchasing the eBook Dream Weddings On A Budget (not written by me) It is one of the best out there and definitly worth the $12 price tag - it will save your hundreds if not thousands.

4. You will also need to get a notebook and pen to carry with you all the time so you can jot down ideas and take notes when your computer isn’t handy. It’s really great if you can get one with pockets so you can hold fabric samples, invitation samples, and whatever else you may pick up along the way.

Once you have those resources together, the next thing you need to do is BUDGET. You will need to set a tentative date before you begin so that you have an idea of how much time you have to save money. Then, plan a meeting with all parties involved in financing the wedding, either as a group or one on one depending on the situation - figure out how much each person can contribute - and put that together to determine what you budget will be.

After your budget has been determined, you need to set a list of priorities. What things are most important to you? Would you rather have a steak and lobster dinner with close family, or is it more important to you to have everyone there even if it means going with a cake and punch reception? Pick out the things that are really important to you first, then you can start researching ideas to sae money on the rest.

SO - you’ve got your resources, your date and your budget - what next?? Now you need to start researching venues and vendors for the best possible deal. Some things that need to be booked early include:

- locations

- caterer if you are having one

- photographer/video

- musicians/dj

- officiant

- any rentals

Well, I hope that gives you a good starting point. Enjoy the process, it does not have to be stressful, just take it one day at a time:)

Getting Started | No Comments »