So while some people are fortunate enough to spend tens - if not, hundreds - of thousands on their wedding day, most people will have a budget considerably less than this. And for some it has to be done as cheaply as possible, especially given the pressures of the credit crunch.
If you need to keep a tight hold of the purse strings for your wedding, don't feel that you cannot have the wedding that you want. You will probably find that most close family members will have their own ideas of what you should be doing (and some of them will waste no time in telling you about them!), but remember that this is your day and you and your partner are going to be the ones who are paying for it all.
Accepting contributions to your wedding budget from other people can be a good thing, but be careful because some people might think that this gives them the right to dictate what your wedding day will be like. It's important for everyone to remember that it is your day - an no one else's. Don't get caught in this trap - if the money comes with a proviso you may be wiser to turn it down.
The main rule to remember is that almost every wedding related service or product can be bought cheaper if you look elsewhere. About the only area this doesn't apply to would be the costs for the church or registry office, and the marriage licence.
Once you start planning your wedding, jot down the things that you would love to have on the day; those things that would really make the day extra special for you. Make another list of the other things you need to include, such as a wedding photographer, wedding cake, wedding dress and so on, and a third list of optional items, or items that you could cut back to basics on (such as wedding favours perhaps).
By doing this you will be able to work out how far your own budget will stretch, and this will make it much easier to make sure the money goes exactly where it should go, instead of being wasted on things that you aren't particularly worried about.
Planning your wedding is exciting, but you need to keep an eye on the budget at all times if it is tight, otherwise the excitement could mean you end up spending more than you intended to.
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After getting married on 5th October 2007, Karen White is now on a mission to help couples planning their wedding to achieve the wedding day of their dreams at an affordable price - i.e. without compromising on quality. Visit her website for more great tips: UK Wedding Planning
