Weddings are notorious for being an over-the-top picture perfect day. Weddings signify love and the journey a couple is about to undertake. No doubt millions want to share this event with a few hundred of their closest family and friends. We all fantasize about the fairy tale wedding – the live band, gourmet catering, ocean side nuptials, the works. Sadly, many couples grasps that the fantasy is just that – a fantasy. Weddings are expensive. Couples with large bank accounts can afford the lavish. The budget-conscious, living paycheck-to-paycheck couple may need to find a cheap alternative. Still, even the simplest, lowest-budget wedding can easily cost a thousand dollars.

Simple, but Elegant

The ideal that weddings have to be expensive is false. There are many ways to put together a nice, classy ceremony and reception with limited funds. True, these ceremonies may not have the live band, or serve guests shrimp and crabs legs – but that's okay. Weddings should not be about the glitz or spending your life's savings. This is only the first day in a couple's days together. The aim should be to celebrate the occasion, not throw the most extravagant bash of the year. Couples that can afford to spend thousands – great. Those who need an economical alternative have come to the right place. The key to an inexpensive, nice wedding is taking what you have, and using it to your advantage. For example, if you own a home with a large backyard, perhaps this can serve as the wedding and reception site. Many couples prefer to marry in a church. Still, the reception could be held at a family member's home. The biggest expense would be chair and table rentals. Reception halls are costly to rent. A hall large enough to accommodate 100 to 200 guests can cost around $1000 dollars – ouch. This does not include food. Many halls do not allow outside catering. Therefore you must pay additional fees for them to prepare meals. One hundred guests at $19.95 a plate – you do the math.

Cake and Catering Tips

A home or backyard wedding during the warm months is perfect for couples on a budget. Hire a private caterer, or draft a few good cooks in the family to prepare food. Either way, you save thousands. The reception is the biggest expense of a wedding. Once this expense has been taken care of – decide how to save money with the remaining wedding details. Weddings require a cake, decorations, a dress, favors, and programs. Wedding cakes are tricky. Do not underestimate the time that goes into creating a beautiful wedding cake. Cake decorators do charge a lot of money, it may be ideal to hire a family or friend to make your wedding cake. However, make sure they have experience making wedding cakes. This is not the time to get adventurous. If no one is able to make the cake, hire a professional. Saving a few hundred dollars is not worth having an unsightly cake that tastes horrible.

Spend Money Wisely

Wedding invitations and the wedding dress are huge expenses. There are ways to cut the costs on both. Understandably brides want to look beautiful, and they want a dress equally beautiful. Still, make wise decisions. Purchasing a wedding gown for several hundreds or thousands of dollars is not wise when you're working with little funds. When you walk down that aisle no one is going to know – or care- if you spent $100 for your dress, or $1000. Be sensible. Lovely, less expensive gowns are available. Bridal gown rental is also an option. This is worth considering because many bridal gowns are never worn a second time. Hence you spend tons of money on a gown, and then it hangs in the closet for years.

Do-It-Yourself-Ideas

Homemade wedding invitations and favors will also cut your wedding expenses. Anyone who has ever ordered wedding invitation can attest to how expensive they cost. The good thing is that invitations can be easily printed at home using invitation kits. Kits are available at office supply stores and print stores. The only requirement is a computer, printer, and an imagination. Those missing an imagination can consult online or print wedding guides for ideas on how to word invitations. Parting gifts for guests are customary at weddings. Some couples give nice favors such as candle holders, picture frames, etc. A great parting gift that is simple, cheap, and fun are Hershey kisses wrapped in tulle fabric. Gather four or five kisses, wrapped them in tulle, tie a cute colorful ribbon, and call it a day. These can be passed out to guests as they leave the reception. Experience has taught me that food gifts are always a hit with guests.

Lower Decorating Expense

Decorations are essential for weddings – these often determine whether your ceremony and reception was nice. Typical wedding decorations include flowers, balloons, centerpieces, and candles. A theme wedding may incur additional decorating expenses. Couples who are on a budge should keep decorations simple. Decorating for an indoor or outdoor home wedding does not require much. Flowers are the key. Tall decorative plants, colorful potted plants, and vase flowers add a simple elegance. Two tall plants could be decorated with white lights. The couple may recite their vows standing between these tall plants. Dress tables and shelves with candles and flowers. A white carpet sprinkled with flower petals could be laid on the floor to mark the bride's path. Centerpieces for tables could be as simple as a candle and handle holder positioned on top of a 12-inch flat mirror. These items can be purchased cheap from closeout stores or online retailers. White or colored linen tablecloths add a nice touch.

Having an inexpensive wedding does not make you a cheapskate, especially if you do not have the means for a lavished one. If anything, these weddings say that a couple is financially reasonable. Weddings are just the beginning. Couples should be able to enjoy the wedding without being burden by a large debt hanging over their heads.