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How to have the Wedding of your Dreams - even on a Budget

Hosting a big wedding doesn't come cheap - the average cost of a wedding in the United States is around $23,000, and most couples only budget for about half of the final amount. Of course, you can always tie the knot inexpensively and quickly at your local courthouse - but if you really want a memorable wedding, it's still possible to achieve that dream and save some money at the same time.

One thing that doesn't occur to many couples is the time of year that they choose to get married. Most weddings take place between May and October - you can save a lot of money on such things as catering, photography and the costs of hiring a venue for your reception, by choosing to get married in the "off season". And that honeymoon to the Caribbean or Hawaii may cost less too.

The average number of wedding guests is 157 - and one of the biggest concerns when planning a wedding is who to invite. Reducing the number of guests can save on catering, invitations and wedding favor costs. You may be able to hold the reception in a smaller and less expensive venue. The problem with reducing the number of guests of course, is deciding who to leave out - any decision should be made jointly by the couple to avoid ill feeling.

If your friends and family offer to help with your wedding, consider taking them up on their offer - many costs can be offset this way. A family member who is proficient with a video camera can potentially save around $2500; having some family members acting as chauffeur can potentially save up to $800 in limo expenses. If you have someone in the family who can supply flowers or help with catering, ask them for their expertise as well as a discount.

If your wedding budget is getting out of control, consider dispensing with some of the elements. The average wedding rehearsal dinner costs around $1,000. Extra flowers can easily cost around $1200 and having home made invitations can potentially save a lot of money - anything from $600 to $1,800. Stylish wedding invitations can be designed and printed easily and cheaply on your home computer or your local copy shop, or you can also opt to send your guests electronic invitations via your personal wedding website - most guests simply won't notice the difference.

And what about those two most important items - the wedding dress and the wedding cake? Most brides want to have a custom-made dress, which of course costs more. You can save up to 60% by using cheaper fabrics, and buying your wedding dress at an outlet or discount store. As for the cake, consider a simple one or two tier wedding cake, rather than a more elaborate creation. If you insist on the classic cake, use a false bottom for the bottom two tiers of the cake - your guests won't notice.

Your wedding should be a memorable and happy occasion - with a little thought and planning, you won't need to start off your married life broke!