The wedding market in the United States is at an all time high; the average cost of a wedding today is 20 to 25 thousand dollars with an industry estimated at 25.3 billion dollars per year. Many couples just do not have that kind of money to spend on their wedding; you can still have a wonderful day even though it might be a cheap wedding although you might not be convinced yet! If you follow the advice provided here, that bill could be reduced considerably; ideas that could help you achieve your dream day for less;



Low Cost Bespoke Wedding Gowns

That hand-made wedding dress is going to be the most costly individual item; It is easy to buy a wedding dress that has only been worn once for less than half the price; many stores have begun to supply dresses this way, often hiring them just for the day.

Planning the Reception

The biggest savings can be made with the reception; start planning your cheap wedding by looking at the number of guests you have attending. You can reduce the number of people attending by not inviting those who are only at the periphery of your life which can include distant relatives; when it comes to the meal, instead a four course silver service, why not arrange a hot or cold buffet.

If you intend holding the wedding reception in an expensive hotel then stop and look at the available options; consider holding it at a club perhaps or even book a restaurant where you can keep an open bar to a minimum by only serving beer, wine and soft drinks.

Wedding Photography

The obvious choice is to shop around for the best rates, but look at hiring the photographer just for the service; ask family members and friends to take photos of the receptions most will be more than happy to do this. Some people save money by dispensing with the professional photographer entirely; using a friend or relation may sound strange at first but you can guarantee one of them is a keen amateur photographer.

Online Contemporary Invitations

Cutting down on costs can also mean creating your own wedding invitations and seating cards etc; a personal computer combined with a home printer means it is quite easy to produce very professional looking results. With the correct programs, all the work can be checked fully before it is printed out; this means that often costly errors and adjustments that are often required in the early stages of the work are not made.

Floral Arrangements

If you want to reduce the cost of flowers, then how about this for an option; why not visit the local flower wholesaler where huge savings are possible, then all that's needed is a little imagination when it comes to the display. Many people have friends who are very capable cooks and love to bake so why not let them bake a two or three tier wedding cake; this can be made from sponge or even a chocolate cake which tends to be favorite amongst people these days.

The Wedding Transportation

Savings can also be made by not hiring that expensive limousine and using a friend's vehicle; given a good clean and polish it can make an acceptable substitute.

Savings can be made everywhere if you just know where to look but this doesn't mean it has to look like a cheap wedding; who will care providing everyone enjoys the occasion!