Many offer even more in their packages. Some offer witnesses if you want to elope! B&bs can often be cheaper than purchasing each of these pieces separately. The locations are always beautiful, as is inherent to a bed and breakfast. Plus, if you book well, you’ll already have a built in place for your guests to stay, and/or will already be at your honeymoon destination. Either way, these kinds of packages can save you lots of money.

Check the b&bs in your local area and in any places you were thinking of honeymooning. I did this for my wedding and came out with a beautiful ceremony and reception on the coast for under $4,000.00 total. Now, print your own invitations with a do-it-yourself kit and you’ll still have money left over for a down payment on a house, instead of being in debit for your wedding…

First, when it comes to invitations, I suggest going to a copy store or a major chain like Wal-mart and buying the blank invitations with templates and typing them yourself. This is quite expensive (about $20 for a box of 40 plus printer ink), just make sure you find a pretty font such as a script font You can do the same for programs, just try to use the same theme.

Bridesmaids bouquets can be made using artificial flowers. Decide on two flowers that have your wedding colors, buy them in bunches and cut the individual stems off of the bunch, then put them together using floral tape and wrap ribbon around the stems. Also, use fake rose petals (can be found on an online auction site).

Favors are another area that can become expensive. If you know someone good with a computer it doesn’t have to be. Make bookmarks, laminate them, punch a hole in the top and loop a ribbon in the hole. Water bottles are another good idea. You buy the small bottles of water (like the kid size the sell at wholesale places), then you print labels on the computer, remove the label that comes on the bottle and replace them with the labels you make. Attach the label with super glue at the seam and tie a ribbon with a tag around the neck of the bottle. You can also make CDs with your wedding music and print the covers for the jewel cases. All of these favors are inexpensive, you just want to start on the early and get them out of the way.

If you are having a wedding at a wedding venue, like a plantation, a lot of the time if you are pleasant they will throw extras in if you just ask (mine gave me fireworks). Also, if you are having an evening wedding you can use white tulle in the room, and rent artificial floral arrangements from a party rental place, since they usually have candelabras for weddings available for rent. Also candle lighting is great, since you don’t need a lot of decorations if you have enough candles in votives around the room.

You can also save on after wedding transportation and drive your own vehicle, if it is an evening wedding, since you probably won’t leave until all the guest are leaving. If alcohol is going to be served at the reception, you can limit it to the toast and just buy one or two types of champagne and give everyone a glass just before the toast. These are just a few of a ways you can save on weding expenses.

1. When you send out invitations, ask guests to respond by email or telephone – this will save you money on stamps.

2. Check Consignment shops for wedding dresses. You can usually find one still in good condition. Some towns have a shop where you can rent a wedding dress, saving you hundreds of dollars.

3. For religious weddings, consider having your wedding near a major holiday. The church will already be decorated, saving you lots of money on flowers.

4. Ask your friends and family to be a special part of your wedding by helping you assemble favors and make invitations, centerpieces, and other homemade inexpensive touches. Ask them what they did to save money on their special day or check internet sites like DIY for ideas. One of them can easily get an officiants’ license online to save you an additional fee.

5. Instead of hiring a photographer, buy a bunch of disposable cameras for your guests to use. They simply take pictures of what they like and leave the finished rolls at your gift table. You usually get more personalized pictures this way since family and friends know you and it saves you hundreds of dollars.

Are you about to begin planning a wedding on a small budget? Then you should know that it’s a rough road ahead. Not only will have to sacrifice some of the things you want for your wedding, you’ll likely have to make cutbacks on some of the things you NEED. Luckily though, if you were to use some of these clever money saving ideas, planning a wedding on a small budget would not be nearly as problematic.

Money Saving Ideas for Planning a Wedding…

1.) Buy the decorations yourself instead of paying for a professional decorator. Why should you do this? Because a professional will charge you an arm & a leg for doing simple things that you could easily do for less than HALF the cost.

It’s true a professional will have more experience than you, but with a little guidance from online websites and wedding decoration guides, there is no reason you can’t decorate the wedding yourself and save a boat load of cash.

2.) Consider other options before heading straight to a caterer. Although easy & convenient, caterers are incredibly expensive and will take a humongous chunk out of your budget. If possible, prepare the food yourself or have a friend — whom is a decent cook — do it for you as their gift.

If preparing the food yourself is simply out of the question, then you can always save money by taking the buffet route instead. With a buffet, you can offer tasty, yet inexpensive food at a fraction of the price a sit-down dinner accompanied by servers.

These are just two of many great ideas that can help you to begin successfully planning a wedding on a small budget.

For the complete list of money saving tips & ideas for planning a wedding on a small budget, try visiting http://www.Dream-Weddings-on-a-Budget.com, one of the most popular and informative wedding planning websites on the web.

With all of the enhanced consciousness about the health of our planet, and “going green”, have you considered Green wedding favors to accent your upcoming ceremony? The growing popularity of this trend has necessitated new and inventive favors almost as vast as your imagination.

And if you are seriously thinking about an earth-friendly alternative to more traditional wedding favors and/or wedding invitations, just keep in mind there are excellent choices to be made of invites from completely recycled paper.

So what about your favors? How can you come up with something original to suit such an earthy premise? Seedlings or some other petite plant as wedding favors would certainly make for a one-of-a-kind token of your love for Mother Earth, while symbolizing the newness and potential of your love union. An accompanying card as an invitation to plant these living favors would be a perfect touch to bring added significance to your most “budding” of days.

The important thing to remember in “going green” with your wedding favors and wedding invitations is to keep it as simple and organic as you possibly can.

One way you can get ideas and inspiration is to look not only at the already available eco-friendly items when shopping for ideas, but look at all that might appeal to you, and then think about ways you can either find a ‘green’ alternative that achieves the same effect, or you can solicit the help of friends or family in creating your own spin on established standards.

Information provided as a service by: http://www.BeautifulWeddingInvitations.com

Written By: Charles Pruett

Everyone is aware that there is a recession. And to those lucky couples that have made the commitment to get married the challenges can be even greater. Let’s face it, weddings will never go out of style. During times of financial or economic stress in this country we have actually seen an increase in people getting married. Perhaps it is the security of knowing that you will have that other person there no matter what happens. Whatever the reason, weddings will never go out of style.

What is one of the most important elements that represent that day? The wedding gown, of course. Everyone wants to know what the bride will be wearing. All eyes are on her as she gets walked up the aisle. Most importantly, the photographs that are taken that day will reflect the way she felt. Those photographs will be the permanent memory that their kids, grand kids and beyond will have and see for many generations to come.

That is why no matter what budget you have for your wedding you shouldn’t skimp or push aside the importance of the wedding gown and the photographer who will capture your special day.

When planning the budget for your wedding find out just exactly what dress you want and make sure you make that a priority in the planning of the wedding. If it seems like a lot a money, then ask for help from your family or take on a second job to earn that money for the gown. Yes, it IS that important that you have your dream dress and it fits you perfectly. The food will get eaten, the flowers will die but the gown is something that represents your marriage forever. I am often surprised at brides that will spend $4,000 or more on flowers for their wedding but only want to spend $500 for the most important item of the day.

There are many ways to get the perfect gown if money is an issue. After all, getting married and being together is still the most important thing about starting your new life as husband and wife. But if you just can’t come to spend $4,000 on a wedding gown then look into alternative ways to get that gown. Borrowing one from a friend who recently got married, wearing your mother’s gown or even going to a thrift shop and finding a slightly used one are the cheapest ways to acquire a gown. If you are lucky enough to know someone who sews then why not have that person help and make the gown for you? There are many commercial patterns on the market now that will create a very beautiful and contemporary gown.

And if you are willing to spend the money, then having a gown custom made by a reputable designer is still the only way to ensure you will have YOUR dream gown that will fit you perfectly, be exactly what you want and you helped in the design of it.

But no matter what you decide, congratulations on taking responsibility for another person and wanting to create a life and family together. You can have the dress of your dreams on any budget.

Deborah LaFranchi is a professional costume designer who has worked professionally in the Los Angeles area for over 23 years. Until recently, only Hollywood had access to her unique talents but now she takes on private clients to design their “dream gown”. To learn more visit her website http://www.deborahlafranchi.com When contacting her please ask about her special offers of a free custom made veil when you have Deborah design your gown.

Wedding centerpieces may not be considered important at some festivities however a wedding is a different story. You set the mood of the occasion by complimenting you and your partner’s personalities with carefully chosen embellishments.

Choosing the incorrect wedding centerpieces can make or break the decorations so careful consideration when selecting the embellishments is vital.

Consider the wedding theme, the size your tables, color of your tablecloths, color of wedding attire and the venue’s décor.

Flowers are commonly chosen as wedding centerpieces for their variety, color, fragrance and ease of availability. Choosing flowers which are out of season can become costly and difficult to find. An alternative to using fresh flowers of your choice, you could use silk flowers on their own or mixed with fresh flowers.

The choice to use or not to use flowers is a personal one. The idea of using something other than flowers excites me because the imagination can really come into things. You can spend a lot of money on any kind of embellishments’ or by doing it yourself you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you have created this outstanding design and saved yourself a lot of money.

You don’t have to be a crafty person. Look through magazines, photos’ you have taken or family and friends have taken, website images or ask wedding venues if you can see a set up of a wedding that will be taking place if you are thinking of holding your reception at their venue. The latter could also be of benefit as you may be able to combine your ideas with that of a previous wedding party to reduce costs and time in setting up if you are holding your reception on the same day.

If you must have flowers a cheaper alternative but one which still adds elegance to your wedding reception, try the flamingo lily or birds of paradise. Place in a tall vase/glass and fill with white river rocks. Accentuate with white unscented pillar candles. The reason for using unscented candles at the table is that although scented candles emit a beautiful aroma, you may find this a bit overpowering and not want this whilst you and your guests are eating.

The use of fruits as wedding centerpieces can create a very attractive and affordable alternative. With a bit of creativity and imagination, you are able to make something wonderful out of fruit.

Place whole lemons’ in a vase combined with sunflowers. Use cut limes, sliced apples, whole grapes, berries or colored seeds…the list is endless. Tropical fruits, including pomegranates cut in half. Buy glass vases or containers for your centerpiece from markets, bargain shops or $2 stores. Use your imagination for a summer wedding!

By filling glasses with colored stones, water, rose buds or orchids and floating candles you are able to create a wonderful centerpiece. Alternatively, sand, shells and greenery create an effective display. Lavender, fruit, gum leaves – get those creative juices going – go green.

Collect (free) branches, leaves, pine cones, driftwood and spray with gold or silver metallic spray paint. Arrange in the center of the table with a few long lasting tea lights. Other alternatives are ivy, holly and rosemary. Dark table cloths really set this off. An eye catching arrangement!

Remember your guests. Try not make your centerpieces too bulky so guest have trouble talking to and seeing each other or that they take up large amounts of room on the table and then only allows very minimal room for placement of crockery and glassware.

Another extra to place on tables for guests is a disposable camera. This allows guests’ to take snapshots of other guests, or you and the bridal party. Photo’s that you would not normally have taken. One camera on each table is sufficient.