Setting a Budget

• 1
  Set a budget you can work with.still life with calculator image by Astroid from Fotolia.com
  
  Set a realistic budget, and stick with it. Before you can even start thinking about planning a wedding, set a budget for how much you are willing to spend, allowing for a little wiggle room if you absolutely need to go over. The best way to wrack up a large wedding bill is to not have a set idea about how much things will cost. Talk to a financial planner or expert if necessary, or do your own research.
  
  
• 2
  Ask artistic friends for help with invitations.invitation de mariage image by Christophe Th??lisson from Fotolia.com
  
  Get help from friends and relatives. If someone you know is good at graphic design or making floral arrangements, ask if they wouldn't mind helping with decorations or invitations. Offer them a reasonable flat-fee, or ask how much they would like to be compensated. If you are close with the person, you can even ask for their help as your wedding gift!
  
  
• 3
  Consider having the wedding outdoors to cut down costs.wedding chairs image by Kimberly Reinick from Fotolia.com
  
  Head for the outdoors. To cut back on the cost of renting a hall or church, consider having the wedding at a nice park, weather permitting. Or, if someone is willing to lend a large backyard and/or home, have it there. Again, offer monetary compensation for if it will prove to be an inconvenience to occupy the house for the day.
  
  
• 4
  Keep your guest list small for a small wedding bill.guest book image by Georgios Kollidas from Fotolia.com
  
  Keep the guest list small. More people equals more money. Invite only close friends and relatives if having too many people will substantially raise the cost. Be realistic about who needs to be there and who doesn't, and be polite when explaining the wedding will be a small, intimate affair.
  
  
• 5
  Have your wedding on Friday.i love fridays image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
  
  Have it on a Friday, around the holidays. According to Exploring Womanhood, Friday weddings are cheaper than Saturday weddings, and having it between Thanksgiving and the New Year can help cut down on decoration costs, since churches may already be decorated for the season.