by Javier Morales

Created on: May 15, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Believe it or not, the going rate of a storybook wedding these days is more than $12,000, and that's not including the plush ceremonies at some fancy resort.

Many couples do not have that much money to pull off a wedding with all the bells and whistles. However, when they stop a moment and think about it: Do they really need a royal wedding?

The answer is no. The old line of, "Money can't buy you love" is very true. As long as the couple can agree on a wedding that meets their needs, who really cares if they do not arrive at the wedding with a horse and carriage? Love conquers all.

This article will break down key parts of a couple's wedding day and how they can save money without sacrificing the true meaning of their special occasion.

Invitations/Announcements

The days of having to hire a printer to publish all the wedding materials are over. Computer software programs have made printing the invitations and announcements very easy to do at home. The software also lends a professional and elegant look to the invitations. Just make sure you have enough ink and coarse paper to make the idea work.

And, of course, after the ceremony, the couple can print out thank you notes from their printer.

Wedding gowns and tuxedos

Forget the hand-made gowns made by some fashion guru, or a custom-made tuxedo from a tailor.

The best way to save money in this category is by wearing a hand-me-down gown from your mother or grandmother (bringing a tear to their eyes, by the way). If that's not an option, consider going to a department store and buying a fancy white cocktail dress that is about $100 or less.

Another option is creating a fun theme for a wedding. If a couple loves the outdoors, why not have a casual wedding at a mountain getaway where the couple does not have to wear expensive clothing. Or if the wedding is held on the beach, forget about tuxedos and wear Hawaiian shirts and shorts.

That's not being tacky; that's being creative.

Flowers

This is where creativity really kicks in, and the couple can feel quite proud of themselves. Instead of spending hundreds at the local floral shop for dozens and dozens of flowers, the couple should handcraft their own (with the aid of family and friends, of course).

Craft stores offer inexpensive tissue that can be folded and arranged to look like a rose. Spend about an hour making those and stapling them to cheap green sticks (also available at craft stores) and you can have a roomful of flowers that look nice (without the threat

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