by Bridget Webber

Created on: May 10, 2007   Last Updated: December 09, 2011

Getting married on a budget is not as difficult as it sounds as long as you are prepared to be creative. Begin by deciding what you want the style of your wedding to be. Are you going to be traditional or have a themed wedding? Once you have established this you can decide where you want the event to take place.

In the past most people opted for a church or registry office, but it has become increasing popular to marry in more unusual places. Some couples marry on a boat, or their parent’s house or garden. Some even tie the knot in a beautiful field with a great view of the sea at sunset.

Consider resources available to you that can help make your wedding less expensive. You may already know someone with a field who is willing to let you set a marquee up in it without charging you. Even if you don't marry there you and your guests can congregate at the marquee afterward to enjoy a picnic and each bring a food dish and bottle of wine.

If your celebrations take place at the home of a family member it will be easy to gather together people you already know to help with catering.

Specialist florists can be expensive, but you may know someone who grows flowers. If not, ladies who arrange them for your local church may have great sources and be more than willing to help.

Wedding invitations can be handmade, either using items from a craft shop or printing a non-copyright picture from the Internet and using it for the front of cards. Beautiful lettering is also available free online and can add a touch of elegance to invitations.

Favors are for your guests to remember your special day, not really gifts as such. Instead of going to great expense an easy alternative are a metallic colored balloons used as table centerpieces during the reception, weighted down with organza bags filled with candies and tied with ribbons. This can look very effective as well as being fun.

You may like to purchase a vintage wedding dress and spend a fraction of the cost of even hiring or buying a modern dress and look fabulous. Or, if you are lucky you may know someone willing to make a wedding gown especially for you. Again, this would be much cheaper than buying a dress and may even cost the same, or less, than hiring one.

Remember that although most weddings are expensive they are not about money. They are about two people coming together who have decided to spend the rest of their lives as one. Don't be bamboozled by wedding companies and their associates into spending more than you can afford. The last thing you want to do is start your married life together in debt. Use resources available to help you on your way. Check out what you already have you can use and think creatively, and your wedding need not cost you a fortune.

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