Plan Your Wedding on a Budget
How to Plan an Inexpensive Wedding
Calendar for a Romantic Day on a Budget

The place to start with your wedding plans is the schedule or calendar. When you have big dreams on a small budget, it helps to plan ahead. It's so easy to go off budget if you are making last minute decisions under pressure and stress. A good wedding calendar and to-do-lists will smooth out the planning for your wedding day and help you stay on budget.

Approach the journey with confidence. You are going to follow your own rules, trust your instincts and have fun. Treasure every moment of this time as part of the story of your life. Use this plan as your guide to a romantic, blissful wedding day on a budget.

New !! Plan Your Wedding on a Budget From Day One

Now that you two lovebirds are engaged, announce your engagement together. Tell parents and best friends first. Call and email to share the news with everyone who is close to your heart. Only then should you put the big news on your Facebook page.

Some authorities say it takes almost a year to plan a wedding. But couples sometimes pull a wedding off in a week or two. Make the big wedding decisions together right away. Introduce your true love to your family. Determine who will pay for the wedding and set your wedding budget. Both families will want to be consulted before you sign anything.

Make the Big Decisions First

Here are the important decisions that the two of you will make together with your families, as you plan your wedding on a budget. How many guests will attend? Will your wedding be traditional, formal or casual? Will you use a wedding coordinator to help plan with the event? Choose the location with your budget in mind, whether you both prefer a favorite local church, a tropical destination, a cruise, a theme park, a garden tent, a hotel or a restaurant. Select the time of day. Meet with your celebrant and ask his or her advice. Decide on your wedding date at the same time you choose your venue and your celebrant, so you know that they will be available for you. Begin planning the guest list. Check that the date you choose is good for most of the family and important guests.

Wedding Plans at Six to Nine Months

Six to nine months before the big day, get down to the business of planning a wedding on a budget. Choose the wedding bridesmaids and groomsmen. Select your wedding theme and colors. Shop for dresses together with your maids. Then select your wedding gown. Once these major decisions are locked in, review your budget. Determine how much of the budget you can allocate to the rest of your plans. Decide how much you can budget for services and which are do-it-yourself items. Then interview and select your vendors and service providers. These people include a caterer, florist, photographer, videographer, musicians or DJ, and stationery printer. Get their cost estimates and add these expenses to your wedding budget. Mail out your Save the Date cards as soon as possible.

Wedding Plans at Four to Six Months

Four to six months before the big day, plan the wedding details. Select the wedding rings for the bride and groom. Order your stationery and calligraphy. Choose your wedding cake and baker. Hire a limo, a horse and carriage, a vintage car or other transportation for the wedding party. Make travel and hotel arrangements for guests who are coming from out of town. Make your honeymoon reservations. Make a reservation for hair and makeup with your stylist or your best friend. Plan the rehearsal dinner. Set up your bridal gift registry. Take dance lessons together.

Budget Wedding Plans at Two to Four Months

During the two to four month period before the big day, tie up all the loose ends. Arrange for your marriage license at the county office. Order tuxedos for the groom and men of the wedding party. Finalize your menu and wine choices. Order the wedding cake. Choose the music for the wedding and the reception. Select the readings for the wedding ceremony. Select the toasters at the reception. Buy a wedding gift for your true love, and thank-you gifts for the wedding party. Rent the service articles for the reception: tent, chairs, table linens, lighting and so forth. Create or buy the decorations and favors for the wedding. Make a hotel reservation for your wedding night. Review your wedding budget again and finalize your expenses.

Budget Wedding Plans at Six to Eight Weeks

About eight weeks before your wedding day, mail the invitations. Try out any new hairstyle and makeup changes. Notify insurance agents, landlords and attorneys of your marriage plans. Set up a financial agreement for your married life. Sign a prenuptial agreement. Sign your wills. Change the beneficiaries on your insurance policies, bank accounts, retirement plans and investment accounts. Get the seating plan worked out for the reception. Have final fittings for dresses and tuxedos.

Budget Wedding Plans at Two Weeks

Two weeks before the wedding, confirm details with each of your vendors. Notify the caterer of the guest count. Write your wedding vows. Write your toast for the rehearsal dinner. Pack up the accessories needed for the ceremony and reception, like wine, place cards, programs, menus, favors, cake knife, glasses, pictures and decorations. Have the fees and gratuities ready for all service people, the celebrant and vendors. Pack for the honeymoon. Delegate selected people for the tasks of decorating, greeting guests, organizing dances, providing transportation, ushering, seating, parking and vendor contacts.

The Final Week Before Your Wedding

The final week before your wedding, exhale. Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa for a massage, facial, and nail care. Attend wedding parties. Enjoy the wedding rehearsal and dinner. Take lots of photographs. Share your love. Glow with happiness. Celebrate your bright future.

I wish you a life full of romance and memories as you plan your wedding on a budget.
- Heather, Plan a Wedding on a Budget

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Plan a Wedding on a Budget


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