Tips for a cheap wedding

You have already decided that you can save money by doing elements of the wedding yourself. I would say that if you do not plan on using a wedding planner throughout the wedding planning process at least use them for the wedding day itself.

Do you really want to have to organise your reception alongside your relatives and or friends when you all should be relaxing and enjoying the build up rather than getting stressed out?

Top tip to 'cut costs well ahead' of the big day:

You will have an idea of who you wish to attend once you have chosen the date and location is booked. The number of guests attending as a huge impact upon your wedding budget.  Send out save the date texts, or emails advising of the planned date. You may actually reduce guest list as there may be people who will be able to advise from early on that they are unable to attend.  Of course you can do DIY save the date cards reflecting your own personalitiese and perhaps colours or theme if you are super organised already. 

These are my favourite  'Cheap Save the date' suggestions:

Electronic Announcements

Send electronic save the date reminders for free using Evite's online invitation service Evite. You can choose from a list of invitations that are pre-made or create your own from scratch using your own photo and choice of designs. Each card is customizable to your event's details. Evite can import contacts directly from your email server, such as Yahoo.

Romantic Slideshow

Create a romantic or fun slideshow that showcases the two of you as a couple. Insert a slide that announces details on saving the date. One True Media is a free website where you can upload your own photos and add in your own text and music to create a creative slideshow. It will generate a code that you can use to display on YouTube. Send your guests the link to view for themselves. Guests who are YouTube members can even comment on your video.

Is The Cheap Wedding Planner Cheap?

Am I cheap?

Who me personally? No not at all, but I like so many appreciate the value in getting or doing IT cheaper cutting costs not corners.  I however through no fault of my own have very expensive taste.

Case in point:  I'm the bride and not what one would call a typically girly girl at all. No dreams of prince charming when I was a wee girl or the considerable time since for that matter, more of a GI Jane than a Cinderella.

So in terms of operation getwed an exercise that would be run with military precision, the part of the exercise I was actually looking forward to least was "The Dress". 

I knew that I would never want the typical wedding dress but there was an added challenge to this mission set by H2B who insisted "don't you dare walk down the aisle in some funky leather outfit or any futuristic type ensemble, just wear a white dress".

Problem solved make the dress - Oops couture expensive, think cheaper. O.k. but I will still need to check that the style I have in mind is going to suit, I figure go and at least try on a couple. 

Off to the west end, first boutique, I don't like any of these my trusting MOH and friend from childhood agrees "Nadz they don't do anything for you". Second and final boutique, no luck here either. Oh but wait these 2 look promising.

Behind the curtain, assistant assisting.  "What do you think" she says, I think it is a bit too much - I step from behind the curtain MOH emm its o.k, it's nice.  Second dress behind the curtain as the assistant cinches in my waist with a belt to within one inch of my life I smile excitedly nodding with two thumbs up. What will your friend think" you'll see" I whisper.

The curtain opens I step out  "OMG Nadz THAT IS SO YOU"!!!!

I twirl around admiring my reflection. Wow finding a dress that matches my quirky style, imagining the tweaks here and there the additional armour I mean accessories - mission accomplished.

"How much is it?" MOH says. Assistant says"actually you've gone for one from the luxury range, that one is £10,500".

MOH laughs out loud "Nadz that is so you choosing one of the most expensive dresses in the store. "

"ABORT ABORT - lets get out of here". I am definitely not cheap but I am also not insane.