by Ann Scott

Created on: November 14, 2008   Last Updated: November 21, 2008

There are many ways to cut wedding costs. If you think about it for a while you can probably come up with more ways than you would think.

Let us start with the gown. If you are not a sentimentalist, you can check at second-hand shops for your gown. Many gowns can be purchased which look just as good as new, and may have never even been worn. Maybe someone bought it, the wedding was called off, and they took their gown to the shop just to get rid of it. Wedding gowns are very expensive, and if you do not intend to save yours for a future daughter, or rent it out to others, you could save a bundle by purchasing a good, used gown.

If your gown is plain, you can add beads and sequins yourself, if you are handy with a needle. It doesn't take a lot of time and is very simple, to add small beads and jewels to your gown, and will make it a lot more elegant looking.

Another way to cut costs is by doing your own flowers. If your wedding is planned for the summer, find flowers that will be blooming, and you can probably collect enough to put together some beautiful arrangements. If you prefer artificial flowers, you can purchase them and put them together yourself, much cheaper than having them made. You can add any greenery and bits of lace and ribbon, to make beautiful bouquets.

With a computer and a good program, you can make your own invitations. Stores now have invitations, without the wording, ready for your word processor. You can add your own wording to make them more personal. Not proficient in the art of versifying? Some computer programs have verses and writings that will work for any number of cards or invitations. Use your own expertise for creating wedding favors, and rice bags are easily made from netting.

As for the food you can have it catered, but why not get some of your family members who are great cooks, to come up with ideas for food items and help you prepare them, or even prepare them for you? Most people are always ready to help with something as exciting as a wedding. Prepare your own punch ahead of time and freeze it. There are all kinds of recipes for making great tasting punch. If you will take some time to check among your friends and relatives, there is someone who truly enjoys baking and decorating wedding cakes, and would not charge as much as a professional baker.

There is someone you know, who has a video and a digital camera, that would be glad to take wedding photos for you at a charge far less than a professional, and possibly even for free. You might have to have them printed, and it might take a few days, but the pictures done professionally are never ready right away.

Hopefully these ideas can be utilized with huge savings. You will not regret saving money, and it could even make your wedding more special because you did it yourself.

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