One of the most essential steps to wedding planning is creating a budget. It may not be necessary to spend money on a wedding planner who often charges anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000 in fees. Instead, you can use them as consultants who could recommend reliable, high-quality and inexpensive vendors. Then you contact the vendors yourself and handle the coordination, thereby eliminating the middle man. Also, you don’t need to buy a wedding planner/budget book because you can easily use this Excel spreadsheet (a budget template) to manage the details of your planning.

For a memorable wedding within your budget, take advantage of these great money-saving tips:

Budget Idea: Budget the must-have items first. These typically include the attire, location fees, flowers, food and other reception costs.

Budget Idea: Schedule your wedding during November through April. This is the off season in weddings. The majority of weddings occur during the months of May through October and vendors charge more during this peak season. Also avoid certain holidays since vendors will charge more during these times as well.

Budget Idea: Saturday weddings are the most expensive. Consider picking Friday or Sunday since there is less demand for these days vendors will have lower prices.

Budget Idea: For more economical option consider serving breakfast or lunch instead of dinner. This will also cost less since there is usually less alcohol consumed earlier in the day.

Budget Idea: Find a low cost location. Consider a city public garden, park, or scenic beach this will save you on site fees. Also consider marrying at home or at a wealthy friend’s home if there are enough accommodations for guests (bathrooms, table settings, etc).

Budget Idea: Have the reception immediately following the ceremony at the same location. That way there will only be one site fee.

Budget Idea: Choose a location that is naturally beautiful such as a site over looking the ocean or a beautiful restored historic building. This will save you money in decorations.

Budget Idea: Decorate wisely. Spend the most money on things that guests will notice the most. Make the programs, bridal party flowers, wedding cake and centerpieces on the tables look great.

Budget Idea: Limit the number of guests. This is the fastest and easiest way to reduce your costs.

BrightWeddingIdeas.com. Copyright 2005 - 2006. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.