If you're like many girls, you've been planning your wedding since childhood. Cost didn't enter into your vision of a gorgeous gown, hundreds of guests, an overabundance of flowers, food, and drink, all taking place in picture-perfect surroundings. Unfortunately, not everyone has hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend on their wedding. But with a little ingenuity and a whole lot of creativity, your low-budget wedding can be just as fabulous as Brad and Jen's (and hopefully have a happier ending).

• Get Married in the Off Season

  For any wedding, the first order of business is figuring out a date. The question has been popped, Mom and Dad approved, and it's time to start planning. What month do you want to exchange vows? Certain times of the year venue costs, rental fees, and other necessities are generally less expensive than at during the summer.

  Fall weddings lend themselves to the budget-minded bride and groom. In addition to cheaper venue and rental costs, the natural beauty of the outdoors provides a beautiful backdrop for exchanging I-do's.

  October and November foliage can be a spectacular backdrop. With nature's help, a backyard can be transformed into a breathtaking oasis. Not only does a backyard wedding cut costs, it allows you to plan on your own terms and grants you access to your venue 24 hours a day.

  Too cold for an outdoor wedding in your neck of the woods? Bring autumn indoors. Leaves, gourds, and other artifacts of the season serve as great centerpieces and decorative accents. Hollowed out pumpkins make clever containers for candles or flowers. Sprinkle leaves on tables to add pizzazz. Branch centerpieces capture the essence of the season and are a lot cheaper than fresh flowers. Hang votives from branches to create added ambiance. Play off the rich hues of red, orange, and yellow. Deep colors have a huge impact. A red tablecloth with orange napkins makes a bold statement and reflects the exuberance of the season.

  Take advantage of the major holidays of the season. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas bring distinctive decorative items and party goods. November nuptials allow you to take advantage of all three holidays. Halloween is more than black, orange, witches, and goblins. Find an assortment of lights, unique candle holders, napkins, plates, and cups at discount prices. Wait until after the 31st to get the lowest clearance prices.

  Nothing signifies holiday entertaining like the Thanksgiving. Buy up tableware, food, and drink at discounted prices. And don't forget the chafing dishes! As the last of the Halloween and Thanksgiving merchandise makes it's way off store shelves (at 75% off or more), in comes the best source for wedding decorations.

  Christmas means vast arrays of lights, tableware, and decorative items galore. During the holiday season, party goods are abundantly available. Formal table cloths and festive accessories line store shelves. And remember, ornaments aren't just for Christmas trees. They can be used in centerpieces, hung from the ceiling, or given away as wedding favors.

• Shop Wisely

  Year-round, dollar stores are indispensable sources for wedding incidentals. From paper lanterns to garbage bags, these retailers sell everything cheap. Candles and lights are essential to any wedding's theme, and dollar stores sell both. Stock up on Christmas lights and votives and barely make a dent in your budget. Peruse thrift stores and garage sales for wedding accessories. You never know what you might find. Not only is merchandise dirt cheap, it's always unique. Antique vases and a wide variety of table linens can always be found.

• Ask Friends to Help

  Call on friends to contribute. People love showcasing their talents. An artist friend can help with invitations (or buy packets of card stock at craft stores and print them yourself). Printing on unconventional surfaces creates one-of-a-kind invitations. Doilies, cloth, and wallpaper are just a few innovative invitation ideas. For a more personal touch, print your invites on a photo of you and your intended.

  Let your musical friends play on your big day. Be sure to listen in during a practice session to ensure that performance expectations are understood.

  Avoid exorbitant catering costs by calling on friends' culinary capabilities. Certain foods are easy to prepare in large quantities. Enchiladas, lasagnas, and other casseroles can be made in advance and frozen until the wedding date. Sides like rice, salads, and beans are simple to prepare in bulk and are easy on the pocketbook.

  Wedding cakes can take a huge bite out of your limited budget. If you're not comfortable entrusting a friend with such a task, look into culinary academies. Eager students are willing to make the cake of your dreams for next to nothing.

  Look to wholesale distributors like Sam's to stock up on sodas, beer, and wine. Contact grocery stores in your area about buying-in-bulk specials.

• Pick Your Wedding Gown Carefully

  These days, a wedding gown can blow your entire budget. Always check bridal stores for clearance gowns, but don't forget department stores. Dillards, Foleys, and Nordstrom offer a diverse selection of evening gowns and special occasion dresses. And be sure to visit consignment stores. Many specialize in fine clothing and are stocked with gently-used designer garments. Consider having your dress made. Often times it's cheaper to create an original than buying from the store. Or get a bland white dress off the rack and transform it into your dream gown through simple embellishments and modifications. Not only is this cheaper, the best part is that you designed it!

• When Shopping, Never Say "Wedding!"

  Some final hints for budget-conscious brides and grooms: When calling around for price quotes, don't mention the word "wedding". Vendors tend to take advantage of frantic wedding planners, and they know that for many, cost is not an issue. There's nothing wrong with not volunteering this information. It might save you major bucks.

  Also, realize the utility of the Internet. Websites like The Knot offer more than helpful ideas, they also function as clearinghouses for all wedding-related things. E-bay is another great resource for buying wedding supplies. Once someone else's big day has come and gone, the newlyweds are anxious to unload the very items they lost sleep over the past couple of months or even years!