Cheap Chic Weddings

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Contents

Chapter 1 Getting Started Your Dream Wedding on a Dime.....................................1Chapter 2 Wedding Attire – For $50 or Less...........................................37Chapter 3 Imagine Inexpensive Invitations..................................................53Chapter 4 Fun Ways to Save Money on Pre-Wedding Parties....................................69Chapter 5 Options to Save Big on Rings.....................................................77Chapter 6 Beauty on the Cheap..............................................................81Chapter 7 Flower Power on a Bargain Budget.................................................93Chapter 8 Favorite Favors for Less.........................................................103Chapter 9 Saving Money while Saving Memories Tricks for Pics and Video.....................111Chapter 10 Registries and Gifts Including Tactful Ways to Receive Cash.....................125Chapter 11 Fabulous Cakes for a Fraction of the Cost.......................................129Chapter 12 Savings on Every Element of Your Ceremony.......................................141Chapter 13 Don't Blow the Budget on the Reception..........................................149Chapter 14 Totally Unique Ways to Save Big Money...........................................165Index......................................................................................171

Chapter One

So you're engaged! Maybe you have talked about this for a while or maybe he popped the question! Whatever way your engagement came to be, the very next step is planning your wedding! Where do you start?

Start with a vision. Imagine your perfect wedding. It may be extravagant – and you may think that you'll never be able to afford that vision. But, once you know what you want your wedding to look like – you can begin the process of honing down the expenses to fit your budget. For example, you may visualize enormous flower arrangements in every nook and cranny of the church. You can easily get the same desired results by shopping for fewer flowers – but choosing those that will make an enormous visual impact. Choosing wisely will help you get exactly what you want while staying within the budget you've got to work with. The more you plan ahead, the easier it will be to make everything culminate into the wedding you've always dreamed of. Cutting costs and doing some of the footwork yourself shouldn't be a burden. It should make you feel wise and innovative to know that you made your dream come true – by using a little ingenuity and a lot of imagination.

Making the Vision a Reality – While Keeping a Budget

Are you truly envisioning what you want your wedding to be, or is it what you think your parents, friends and future in-laws expect? Have they voiced opinions about your wedding? Think about how you would feel if you had the type of wedding that everyone expects. Now, for a moment, put realities like a budget out of your mind as you meditate about your dream wedding. Just get a "no holds barred" attitude and let your imagination run wild.

Think about some weddings that you've attended. What did you admire most about them and which elements do you think would have been better left out? Also, think about visions of your future wedding that you had as a child. Go into detail with your memories.

Celebrity weddings or wedding scenes that you've witnessed in movies or television (especially soap operas) are a great source of ideas for fantasy weddings. They can range from wildly extravagant to intimate and romantic.

If you're still feeling a bit overwhelmed and can't come up with a clear picture of your wedding, try brainstorming some ideas – either alone or with your significant other or friend or family member that you feel comfortable with. This should help you narrow down the true picture of what you really, really want.

Brainstorming Your Wedding with Dollars on Your Mind

If you don't yet have a clear vision of every detail of your wedding, there are ways you can brainstorm to help you make some hard decisions. You've probably been visualizing your wedding gown since you were a little girl. Bridal magazines, movies and television feature every type of gown imaginable – from Vera Wang to "off the rack" specials.

What about invitations and favors? You may have attended weddings where you've come away with ideas about what you want – or don't want – for your own wedding. There are lots of other ways to narrow down a multitude of proposals to fit your wants.

Some great brainstorming ideas that can save you many dollars include:

* Talk to recently married friends or family members about what you visualize for your wedding. They may offer names of caterers, seamstresses and tailors who have done a great job for them or someone they know.

* Online bridal shopping sites are also helpful to get an idea of what's available for the price you want to pay. Look for major discounts and sales. * Bridal magazines and books are abundant and contain much more useful information than just dress styles and advice on where you should spend your honeymoon. They can also point out ways to save money and time. * If you live near a big city, keep an eye out for bridal show extravaganzas. Take a day to browse through the booths for ideas - and by all means register for great prize giveaways and discounts.

* Visit various sites that you're considering for the ceremony and reception. Don't leave out the home and/or garden of a relative or friend for free venues! Talk to the owners and see if they're open to hosting your wedding.

* Craft stores sometimes offer "how to" classes on making favors, wedding decorations and even gifts for your wedding party. Take advantage of these free classes.

If you haven't yet begun a "wedding notebook," now would be the time to start one – and describe the vision for your wedding in as much detail as you can. This will be a good starting point when you begin the actual planning.

Using a Timeline is essential in getting organized for your big day ...

Getting organized and starting a timeline does not mean you can't be flexible. Planning a wedding takes some patience and you have to be willing to accept change once in a while, especially if you want to save a lot of money.

First, get yourself a large binder notebook, some dividers, and some pockets for the binder. Divide the notebook however you like. The easiest way is to divide into categories like Budget, Photography, Ceremony, Attendants, etc. Use your pockets or zipper bags for swatches, business cards, and samples. Be sure to add notebook paper for notes, ideas, dreams and inspirations!

Now you're ready to make a timeline for all of your planning. Make this timeline your own as everyone has a different amount of time to plan their wedding. The following list is an example, please add or take away tasks that fit your plans.

One-Year Timeline

Nine to Twelve Months Ahead

* Announce your engagement.

* Create a budget and discuss with family members involved.

* Select a date and time.

* Choose a look and feel of...