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Get Married Without Going into
Debt
One of the major stresses that affects marriage is money. In
fact, it is often what prevents people from wanting to get
married or be married.
However, it is possible to be wed and even have a nice
honeymoon without paying overwhelming financial consequences
afterward. The following are tips on how to save money on your
wedding and to prepare for married life:
Get married at your local church. You are sure to get a
discount on ceremony and reception space if you plan your
wedding and reception at a church. Sometimes if you are highly
involved in a church organization you may even receive free
space for your special day.
Hold a ceremony in a public park. Usually the permit for this
will cost next to nothing. Sometimes you can even find outdoor
spots where you can set up your wedding for free. I you want to
protect your guests from rain you may be able to rent a
pavilion for as inexpensive as a few hundred dollars or
less.
Shop for bargains at dollar stores and discount stores. These
are especially great places to find themes for table and hall
decorations. Often strands of white flowers, centerpieces, and
candles have been available at these places for as cheap as a
few dollars, or even only one dollar.
Shop for Wedding Attire at Factory Outlet or Closeout Stores.
You would be surprise how many of last-year's wedding gowns and
tuxes are available. You can often rent or purchase these items
for hundreds of dollars less than regular retail price. If they
are only a year old they are sure to be in style, and it would
often cost less to alter them than to purchase them brand
new.
Plan unique but affordable getaways. You can find treasures of
relaxation and enjoyment even near where you live. This may
sound a little ironic, but perhaps you would want to check out
the visitor's site of your own locality for places nearby where
you can plan an enchanting honeymoon celebration.
Create a large registry-or tactfully request cash. If you are
both just starting out together you may need dishes,
towels, and other household items. If so, place every item that
you can think of on your registry.
Plan fundraising games. One wedding reception game that is
popular is "Pay a dollar to dance with the groom (or bride)."
Another idea would be to sell raffle tickets for door prizes at
wedding showers, bachelor and bachelorette (stag or hen/doe)
parties. You might also consider selling cocktails and other
drinks, planning a paid performance, or following through with
a wacky dare.
Find Volunteer Cooks. You are sure to have a few willing cooks
in your family, or within your group of friends. Also note that
buffet style meals versus per-dish types of meals are usually
less expensive. You can have a quality meal for your wedding
reception guests at a fraction of what it would cost to hire a
professional caterer.
Request help from as many people as possible. If you know you
can find help for marriage and wedding preparation, ask as many
people as possible. It will further cut down on wedding
planning expenses. For instance, perhaps someone in your family
or among your circle of friends, or your co-workers knows how
to take professional pictures.
Following the above tips should help you have a very rewarding
wedding ceremony. More importantly, you can start your life
together off right-debt free and living within your means. In
fact, if you are able to enter marriage without a huge
financial burden it will increase your chance of a successful
life together.
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