This means that the first rule of planning a wedding on a small budget is to keep a note of everything you spend or plan to spend. You may want to set up a spreadsheet on your computer with all the different headings on the left, followed by a ballpark budget figure for each one that you can set right now, and then a closer estimate of the actual cost when you have information from caterers etc.

When you are planning a wedding on a small budget, remember that the only essential expense for a wedding is the marriage license. Anything more than that is what you choose to spend. It is matter of setting your priorities and deciding what is important to you.

Of course, most people will have at least a few wedding guests and provide them with a meal. If you are on a very tight budget, this could be done at somebody’s house. But you will probably have it catered by professionals.

By all means shop around to find who can provide a good tasty meal for a low cost, but remember that with catering you often get what you pay for. Explain to the caterers that you are on a strict budget and ask for less expensive menu options. Consider limiting the choice of alcoholic drinks, for example by offering only wine and beer instead of a full bar.

Be ruthless with your guest list because this is the biggest cost of most weddings. Do not feel obligated to invite everybody. In fact as a general rule, the fewer people you invite, the less you will hurt anybody’s feelings. If you cannot invite all of your work colleagues it may be best to invite none of them.

The wedding dress can be an expensive item so this is another thing that you need to consider when you are planning a wedding on a small budget. Does the dress have to be new? Would you consider hiring?

How about asking mothers, aunts and grandmothers whether anybody has an heirloom dress from their own wedding that could be tailored to fit the younger generation bride? An original 1950s, 60s or 70s dress could be beautiful, and you can theme the wedding around it.

Many other costs can be cut or avoided. Most people probably have twice as many flowers as they need at weddings, for example. You do not need to provide expensive wedding favors, centerpieces or have heavy printed invitations. You can make many of these things yourself or have them made by friends when you are planning a wedding on a small budget.

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Ending the confusion

Wedding planning can cause much confusion because of the number of things you have to plan, all at the same time. There will be a lot of questions that need to be answered such as the number of guests, the meal they will be eating during the reception, what wedding song will be played, and a whole lot more.

In the end however, you still need to keep in mind the day is meant to celebrate you and your partner’s love, as you form a union of everlasting love. It is important that you stay focus amidst the stress, and keep everything organized so that everything will flow smoothly during the wedding day itself.

Remember to keep a checklist for all the items that need to be done; make a chart for all the details that are related to the wedding celebration; and organize a worksheet for potential reception locations.

Start the wedding planning

You can start planning your wedding by keeping track of important phone numbers you will need to reach your contacts. This will include the contact number of the florist, the musicians, wedding planner, and other important people responsible for the wedding set up. As you list down the people who will be helping you plan the wedding, make sure that you also establish a timetable and a proposed budget for everything.

Finalize the wedding theme

Before anything else, it is important that the wedding theme is finalized since the wedding invitation up to the decorations will all depend on your chosen theme. If you are on a budget, you can always keep the theme simple by choosing pastel colors. If however you are more on the extravagant side, you can choose themes for a more unique wedding celebration.

Wedding planning should not be stressful as long as everything is planned accordingly. If you keep yourself organized, you can assure yourself that nothing will go wrong on the wedding day itself. Be confident that everything will go smoothly and you will have the most memorable time of your life.

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There’s no reason to wear an overstated wedding gown as obviously, you aren’t getting married in a massive cathedral with marble floors. It will be just right that you and your partner should talk about what is the most fitting attire for your wedding. Just keep in mind to stick to simplicity but still look elegant enough.

photo credit: Freedom Moreno 

A lot of the beaches that offer rentals for their land are the usual hotspots for weddings and because of this, they are typically overpriced. In this circumstance, you can try searching for other places in the classified ads, or you can have the option to place your own ad, stating that you are in search for a beach to rent for your upcoming wedding. Moreover, if you know where to look, you will be able to find a beach that could be perfect for your wedding at a small price.

Lots of couples who have chosen a wedding on the beach also have their reception right at the same spot. Apart from the possible bad weather, everything else is nice with beach weddings. It may be a bit difficult to haul several tables over the sand, but it is perhaps better than paying out thousands of dollars for renting out a building for just a few hours, especially when you are on a tight budget.

Only minimal decorations such as few flowers are needed if you are planning to have a  beach wedding. Your setting is picturesque enough to make your wedding look nice.

Sure enough, a wedding on the beach is an inexpensive but stylish way to exchange vows with the love of your life.

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Rarotonga, Cook Islands

The Cook Islands make up for the authentic color that the French Polynesia lacks. Guest can enjoy the area by visiting the Highland Paradise Cultural center, where they can watch the natives make the traditional Maori dress. Couples will basically have nothing to worry about especially since there are a lot of things to do and to see in the Cook Islands. However, the flights don’t come cheap because the round trip travel can reach as much as 800 USD.

Muir Beach, California

The Muir Beach in California is located near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. What draws people to the area is its sandy ocean side paradise feel, and how it can bring relaxation from the stress brought about by the cosmopolitan city. For a small wedding, you can expect to shell out at least 400 USD. However, it is important that you make your reservations well in advance.

St. Kitts, Eastern Caribbean

St. Kitts is the epitome of a perfect wedding location with its tropical setting, glorious sunshine, and a train that will take you and your partner to the nuptials. St. Kitts is the only island that can offer a scenic passenger railway, and with its sugarcane fields and vast plantations, it surely is one of the most romantic locations for a wedding.

Tabernash, Colorado

Tabernash in Colorado is deemed one of the most eco-friendly hotels in the country. It offers a perfect venue for couples who are looking for unique place to celebrate their marriage. Since the ranch provides the location for at least 80 weddings every summer, you may want to reserve as early as possible to ensure a slot for your wedding date.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas in Mexico is one of the most popular wedding destinations for Americans who want to tie the knot. Application for marriage is also easy since all the partner needs to do is fill out the papers in advance, and arrive ahead of time for blood testing. Since there are many hotels in the area, finding accommodations for your guests is also relatively easy.

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Advantages of small weddings

The biggest advantage that you can get from celebrating a small wedding is that you can celebrate the most special day of your life with the people who are close to your heart. Although there is nothing wrong with having a big wedding celebration, it is often difficult for the couple to keep all of their guests entertained and having a good time. However, if you opt to invite only family members, relatives, and close friends, everyone will surely enjoy themselves.

Another reason why a small celebration may be more preferred by some couples is that they feel less nervous with only people they love around them.

Small weddings cost less

Considering small wedding ideas often revolve around small budgets since not much money will be needed for the reception or the ceremony. If you think you and your spouse-to-be have other more important things to spend on after tying the knot, then having a small wedding definitely is for you. When more people are invited, it means that you will spend more on invitations that need to be printed out and mailed. Also, additional plate meals for the reception can burn a hole in your pocket.

Spend more time with the guests

Another advantage of holding a small wedding is that you and your spouse-to-be can spend more time with the guests. Couples opting for large weddings, even the most organized one, often have a hard time spending equal time with all the guests in their celebration. During small weddings on the other hand, you can spend more time with all the visitors and on a more personal level. Not only will this make the event more memorable for the couple, but it will also make the guests feel more welcome.

Celebrating a small wedding should not be very stressful since there is not much work involved in planning and you will not have to spend much for the reception. If you want a more intimate wedding celebration, you can always check into other small wedding ideas to make the event memorable.

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Size of the location

To make sure that the location fits your wedding theme, you should personally visit the venue to estimate its size and to at least gauge whether or not it will suit the number of your visitors. For a small wedding, you may opt for the smaller wedding location so that you will not feel dwarfed during the wedding ceremony.

Budget

Unfortunately, not all the best wedding locations are affordable. If you have a tight budget and can’t seem to afford a plated dinner, you can opt for a cocktail or brunch reception in one of the best wedding locations that you can think of.

Meaning

If there is a location that you and your partner are fond of or a restaurant or bed and breakfast that the two of you especially enjoy, then you should consider it as a location for your wedding. Doing so will make it easier for you to personalize your special day.

Practicality

When planning your wedding, make sure that you decide first whether you and your partner want the ceremonies to be held outdoors or indoors. If you are planning to choose the former, make sure that you are prepared for any drastic changes on the wedding day itself since we have no control over the elements. It would also be wise to consider the amount that you need to spend since outdoor weddings are more expensive than those held indoors.

There are many great wedding locations that you and your partner can choose from. However, before making any final decisions, make sure that you have everything planned together and that you have made up your mind on the amount of money you are willing to spend for the venue. Always remember that planning your wedding shouldn’t be that difficult especially if you have all the plans already laid out for you.

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What are the things that you have to consider in planning for the big day? To help you remember every vital detail to make the event successful, happy and unforgettable, here are some of the essential wedding planning considerations and reminders that you should not take for granted.

1. The date. You may have your preference, like your birthday or your anniversary, but you have to check the venue and the church first to make sure that they can still accommodate you on this schedule. If it is going to be a church wedding, you have to go to the location to check the availability of the date. While at it, ask about the pre-requisites, like how many days should be allotted on seminars or what other documents should you prepare and the fees that you have to pay.

Your partner will likely go along with whatever you want, including the day that you have chosen for this event. Even if this is the case, you should still update them about the latest changes on the plans to make sure that their own schedule won’t be jeopardized by these sudden changes.

2. People. Before you get to the printing shop to have the invitations done, you should create a list of guests so that you will have an idea how many people are you going to invite on your wedding. This way, you can have enough invitations to be printed. This will reduce the time that you will be wasting if you are going to have certain copies of invitations printed, only to find out later on that you need more.

3. Budget. Before proceeding with the rest of the plan, talk with your partner how much you two are willing to spend on this event. If you cannot allot so much money, it will be best to settle for simple events. You have to remember that soon, you are going to start a new life and this is when you will need enough resources to build a home and start a family or simply enjoy your lives together.

4. Venue. After you are certain about the budget, you can then choose the kind of venue that can be accommodated with your allotted money. Along with this, you should start planning about the food, flowers and other decors that will be utilized on the place. Most venues would offer you packages that include food and decors according to what you can afford.

5. Let other people know. After you have everything on paper and you are certain about the plans, you should start giving out the invitations to people whom you want to be there on your special day.

Wedding planning is hard, especially because you have to think about so many things all at once. This can also be fun, nonetheless, so make the most out of it. You have to enjoy the process to make it memorable and the wedding worth the planning and the wait.

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Do decide the time of the ceremony

One of the first decisions you need to make when having a beach wedding is what time of the day you want the ceremony to begin. Be sure you gather the necessary information so that it will be easier for you to find the most suitable time for the wedding. If you do not want the guests squinting their eyes against the bright rays of the sun, it will be wise if you have your guests sitting or standing with the sun behind them.

Don’t choose a location without enough parking spaces

One of the deciding factors for the most perfect beach wedding location is the number of parking spaces available. Most beaches have enough parking spaces; however they cannot assure you that they can reserve them for your visitors. This makes it important for you to make the necessary arrangements prior to the wedding date, so that your guests will not have a difficult time when they reach the wedding venue. 

Do select the appropriate dress for the location

Make sure that the dress that you will be wearing will not be damaged by the sand. Most brides who decide to hold their wedding ceremony on a beach do not take this into account and most of the time they choose the tallest heels and longest dress they could find. This makes them struggle and stumble as they walk down the aisle. If you do not want the same thing happening to you, then it would be wise if you plan your dress carefully. In this case, sandals are appropriate footwear. Some brides and grooms even prefer to go barefoot during their nuptials.

Don’t hold the ceremony during the hottest hour of the day

Avoid holding the wedding ceremony at noon, or during the hottest hour of the day. This will prevent your guests and wedding party from suffering due to overheating or excessive sweating. In addition to that, making sure that the wedding ceremony is held at a cooler temperature will make the event more enjoyable for everyone.

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If you decide you do want to allow kids to be present at both the wedding and the reception, you can use a few tricks to help keep them from stealing the show.

1.  If your church has a “crying babies” room, then use it.  Allow parents and their young ones to sit in the sound proof room where they can see and hear the wedding ceremony, but no one else can hear the noisy children playing or crying.

2.  Make use of another room in the church, such as the nursery, for the kids.  Hire some teenagers, the number depending on how many kids will be in attendance, to babysit. 

3.  If you don’t use option one or two above, consider offering goodie bags for the kids.  Enlist a friend to distribute these bags at the front door to guests with children.  Inside these (non-noisy) bags you can include some crayons, a coloring book, an activity book, some cheerios or goldfish, an inexpensive picture book and perhaps a (non-noisy) toy.

4.  If you are having assigned seating at the reception, try to place all the young families at the same table or same area, preferably towards the back of the room.  Seating them near the entrance or too close to the cake table makes it twice as hard for the parents to keep them out of trouble.

5.  If your reception is in a hotel, consider getting a room that can serve as a nursery, and hire the responsible teenagers or young adults to work it.

Please know that if you intend to have children as part of your wedding party in the flower girl/ring bearer positions, anything can happen.  Ease your expectations and enjoy the outcome. Try not to cast these supporting roles to children that are too young, or at least one of them should be older so they can help out the younger one.

Whether or not to have children at your wedding and reception is a decision you’ll have to make.  Keep in mind that there will likely be a few guests that are unhappy with whichever decision you make.  But there is no right or wrong answer, just the right one for you and your future spouse.  Weigh the pros and cons, and if you do decide to allow kids, use the above suggestions to help it go smoothly.

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Do I Need to Save Time?

A wedding planner saves the couple time by taking over the planning to-do’s.  Since the average couple spends over 200 hours planning their own wedding, this can be a hard amount of hours to put in, especially if the couple has jobs of their own. The wedding planner can save you time by researching vendors, researching venues and even selecting dresses for you so that all you have to do is show up and try them on.

Do I Want to Save Money?

Believe it or not, a wedding planner can actually save you money.  Since weddings are expensive wedding planners are trained to work with a couple’s budget and find cost-effective ways to cut catering costs, decorations and even assign DIY duties to the couple.

Do I Want the Stress of Planning?

Planning a wedding is a very stressful ordeal.  Often this tension affects the bride and groom in a negative way and can impact their daily lives.  By hiring a wedding planner you can eliminate that stress and leave the planning to them.  You simply show up, agree and sign.

Do I Need Advice?

Wedding planners are experienced in the wedding industry.  Their sole purpose is to plan and host weddings.  That means that they are experts in design, catering and cakes. If you find yourself at a loss during the planning process you may want to seek the advice of a wedding planner.  Often they can help alleviate a lot of the questions you have simply from their experience alone.

Do I Need Someone to Oversee the Wedding?

A wedding planner does not just plan the wedding – they show up to the event and ensure that your wedding day goes according to plan. That means that they will take care of the decorations being done in time, ensure that the vendors have shown up and they will even be there to make sure the entire ceremony and reception goes according to the schedule you agreed upon. If something does not go according to plan, you will not have to worry because the wedding planner will ensure that it is corrected.

Though a wedding planner’s fee may seem like a hefty one, they do save a couple time, money and the overall stress of planning a wedding.  Even if you plan to do the wedding yourself, consult a wedding planner and see what services they offer.  Some planners will allow couples to use them solely for research or even creating and coordinating day schedules.  The bottom line is that you want someone in your corner for your big day and that is the job of your wedding planner.

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