The Budget Bride's Guide to a Fairytale Wedding

Many couples will probably be looking at ways to reduce their wedding budget at the moment, but it seems that many of them are refusing to compromise when it comes to planning their dream wedding. After all, this is supposed to be the most special day of your lives, why shouldn't you have it all?
But if your budget is not saying dream wedding, then don't panic, a big bank balance is not the only way to achieve your perfect wedding day. If you are looking for a fairytale wedding without the price tag then follow these top tips to find out how to achieve it.

The Fairytale Venue

Your choice of venue will help to coordinate your wedding style & will dictate the overall look of your wedding day. A dream venue often comes at a price, but you can get as much as 50% of the booking price by having your wedding during a less popular time of year & during a weekday.

Another tip is to look at places that may not advertise themselves as wedding venues but which would be more than happy to accommodate you. Look at museums, restaurants, inns & parks.

The Fairytale Wedding Dress

Your dress will be the most important outfit you will ever purchase, so it has to be perfect. Couture gowns will cost you thousands, but there are other designers out there offering similar designs at much lower prices.

Another option is to look out for designer sample sales where you can snap up a stunning dress for a bargain price. Check out websites like EBay or your local classifieds for new, nearly new or worn once gowns as well. With both of these options you will probably have to pay for dry cleaning & maybe alterations too, but you will still come in well under the cost of a brand new dress from a designer boutique.

The Finishing Touches

It is the small finishing touches which add to the uniqueness of your wedding. All those things such as wedding favors, decorations & your wedding cake are what go to making your wedding personal to you both. But all of these combined can cost a serious chunk of your budget.

Get creative & make your own decorations, table centerpieces & wedding favors. It isn't hard to do & you will plenty of inspiration online & in craft stores. If you have someone in the family or amongst your friends who can bake then ask them to make your wedding cake. They don't have to ice it, you can employ a professional then to apply the decorative touches.

Making your own stationery is not difficult either. You can buy kits from craft stores or if you are familiar with card making you will know you can buy everything you need separately. There are also websites with printable designs to download & print out at home.

The Fairytale Wedding Reception

Your wedding reception & evening party will be a big expense, mainly because this will be the biggest party you will ever throw. Save money by having a buffet instead of a sit down formal meal or go for a traditional afternoon tea or canapé reception with cocktails.

Put together your own buffet with the help of family & friends, you may be surprised by the quality of the food you can put together at a fraction of the cost of professional caterers.

Save on hiring a professional disco by using an MP3 player instead, just make sure your venue has an adequate sound system for you to use & delegate someone to be in charge of keeping the music going. You can load it with a variety of songs to suit all ages & tastes. A good tip is to ask your guests to nominate their favorite songs on their RSVP cards.