fully decorated cupcakes placed on “cupcake trees” as opposed to a traditional wedding cake.

- Candles and mirrors make for extremely inexpensive reception decorations, and lit candles will always add a romantic ambiance to the event. Try not to use tea light candles as they will burn out after only an hour’s time. Use votives that match your color scheme instead.

- Keep in mind that any dress that strikes your fancy can be used as your wedding dress! Many brides make the mistake of heading straight to the bridal store only to pay extra money for a dress

Many brides-to-be are hesitant to plan their own weddings or even to get married at all if they’re on a strict budget for fear of not having the type of day they really want. But a wedding can be had on just about any type of budget with a little proper planning and just a bit of creativity. The following hints and tips are designed to create beautiful weddings without breaking the bank.

- Flowers can be an extremely expensive part of a wedding and you can save a lot of money by doing your own arrangements and bouquets or enlisting the help of a creative friend. The bridesmaids or friends and family of the bride can gather the day before the wedding and assemble bouquets and make simple arrangements using a variety of creative items. Check flea markets and dollar stores for inexpensive jars, vases, baskets or other creative containers. Cut flowers can be purchased through supermarkets or local farmer’s markets for prices significantly lower than at a florist.

- A reception doesn’t necessarily have to include a full four-course meal complete with appetizers, drinks, and desserts. Many couples opt to have a “cake and punch” reception; however, wedding etiquette says that these types of receptions should only be held either in the early afternoon or after seven in the evening.

- By having your ceremony and your reception at the same place you may be able to save a substantial amount of money. If the reception site has the room and doesn’t object, consider renting or buying an inexpensive trellis that can easily be decorated and have the ceremony right there. Guests may also appreciate less travel time as well.

- You are only limited to your own creativity and imagination when planning a wedding. For strict budgets, forgo traditional venues such as expensive reception or banquet halls and opt for a more unconventional place to hold your nuptials. If you and your beloved are nature lovers consider holding the ceremony and even the reception in a park or other pretty, outdoor setting.

- Your wedding cake doesn’t have to be an extravagant portion of your wedding budget. Use a small, beautifully decorated cake to display and cut at the reception and have plain sheet cakes on hand to cut for guests. Another option is to have beautifully decorated cupcakes placed on “cupcake trees” as opposed to a traditional wedding cake.

- Candles and mirrors make for extremely inexpensive reception decorations, and lit candles will always add a romantic ambiance to the event. Try not to use tea light candles as they will burn out after only an hour’s time. Use votives that match your color scheme instead.

- Keep in mind that any dress that strikes your fancy can be used as your wedding dress! Many brides make the mistake of heading straight to the bridal store only to pay extra money for a dress s

. The bridesmaids or friends and family of the bride can gather the day before the wedding and assemble bouquets and make simple arrangements using a variety of creative items. Check flea markets and dollar stores for inexpensive jars, vases, baskets or other creative containers. Cut flowers can be purchased through supermarkets or local farmer’s markets for prices significantly lower than at a florist.

- A reception doesn’t necessarily have to include a full four-course meal complete with appetizers, drinks, and desserts. Many couples opt to have a “cake and punch” reception; however, wedding etiquette says that these types of receptions should only be held either in the early afternoon or after seven in the evening.

- By having your ceremony and your reception at the same place you may be able to save a substantial amount of money. If the reception site has the room and doesn’t object, consider renting or buying an inexpensive trellis that can easily be decorated and have the ceremony right there. Guests may also appreciate less travel time as well.

- You are only limited to your own creativity and imagination when planning a wedding. For strict budgets, forgo traditional venues such as expensive reception or banquet halls and opt for a more unconventional place to hold your nuptials. If you and your beloved are nature lovers consider holding the ceremony and even the reception in a park or other pretty, outdoor setting.

- Your wedding cake doesn’t have to be an extravagant portion of your wedding budget. Use a small, beautifully decorated cake to display and cut at the reception and have plain sheet cakes on hand to cut for guests. Another option is to have beautifully decorated cupcakes placed on “cupcake trees” as opposed to a traditional wedding cake.

- Candles and mirrors make for extremely inexpensive reception decorations, and lit candles will always add a romantic ambiance to the event. Try not to use tea light candles as they will burn out after only an hour’s time. Use votives that match your color scheme instead.

- Keep in mind that any dress that strikes your fancy can be used as your wedding dress! Many brides make the mistake of heading straight to the bridal store only to pay extra money for a dress

unch” reception; however, wedding etiquette says that these types of receptions should only be held either in the early afternoon or after seven in the evening.

- By having your ceremony and your reception at the same place you may be able to save a substantial amount of money. If the reception site has the room and doesn’t object, consider renting or buying an inexpensive trellis that can easily be decorated and have the ceremony right there. Guests may also appreciate less travel time as well.

- You are only limited to your own creativity and imagination when planning a wedding. For strict budgets, forgo traditional venues such as expensive reception or banquet halls and opt for a more unconventional place to hold your nuptials. If you and your beloved are nature lovers consider holding the ceremony and even the reception in a park or other pretty, outdoor setting.

- Your wedding cake doesn’t have to be an extravagant portion of your wedding budget. Use a small, beautifully decorated cake to display and cut at the reception and have plain sheet cakes on hand to cut for guests. Another option is to have beautifully decorated cupcakes placed on “cupcake trees” as opposed to a traditional wedding cake.

- Candles and mirrors make for extremely inexpensive reception decorations, and lit candles will always add a romantic ambiance to the event. Try not to use tea light candles as they will burn out after only an hour’s time. Use votives that match your color scheme instead.

- Keep in mind that any dress that strikes your fancy can be used as your wedding dress! Many brides make the mistake of heading straight to the bridal store only to pay extra money for a dress

n when planning a wedding. For strict budgets, forgo traditional venues such as expensive reception or banquet halls and opt for a more unconventional place to hold your nuptials. If you and your beloved are nature lovers consider holding the ceremony and even the reception in a park or other pretty, outdoor setting.

- Your wedding cake doesn’t have to be an extravagant portion of your wedding budget. Use a small, beautifully decorated cake to display and cut at the reception and have plain sheet cakes on hand to cut for guests. Another option is to have beautifully decorated cupcakes placed on “cupcake trees” as opposed to a traditional wedding cake.

- Candles and mirrors make for extremely inexpensive reception decorations, and lit candles will always add a romantic ambiance to the event. Try not to use tea light candles as they will burn out after only an hour’s time. Use votives that match your color scheme instead.

- Keep in mind that any dress that strikes your fancy can be used as your wedding dress! Many brides make the mistake of heading straight to the bridal store only to pay extra money for a dress

fully decorated cupcakes placed on “cupcake trees” as opposed to a traditional wedding cake.

- Candles and mirrors make for extremely inexpensive reception decorations, and lit candles will always add a romantic ambiance to the event. Try not to use tea light candles as they will burn out after only an hour’s time. Use votives that match your color scheme instead.

- Keep in mind that any dress that strikes your fancy can be used as your wedding dress! Many brides make the mistake of heading straight to the bridal store only to pay extra money for a dress simply because it is designated as a “wedding gown”. In the month or so just after prom season there are huge discounts to be had on a wide variety of dresses that are perfect for bridesmaids, or even the bride.

Remember that any wedding, regardless of the amount of money spent, is going to be beautiful because it is a celebration of love, a joining together of two lives as one, which after all, is what really matters the most.