Plan Your Dream Wedding On A Real Budget

Northwestern Mutual has helped clients achieve financial security for nearly 160 years. The company offers a comprehensive approach to financial planning, offering risk management solutions and investment services. As a mutual company with over $1.5 trillion of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual has no shareholders and focuses solely and directly on its clients and seeks to deliver consistent and dependable value over time. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (life insurance, disability insurance, annuities) and its subsidiaries (Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, brokerdealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC).

There was a time when it was the sight of a sparkly engagement ring that took a newly engaged couple's breath away; today it may be the average cost of a wedding that has many gasping for air. According to wedding planner Karen Huber, you can have your dream wedding whatever your budget; you just have to plan for it. Here are Huber's 10 best tips for creating a wedding day that everyone will remember.

1. Get real about your budget. If you and your fianc are handling all or part of the wedding costs, take a realistic look at your finances and figure out how much you can comfortably afford. If your families are willing to contribute, get a clear understanding of what that means. "If you're uncomfortable asking your parents for cash, try asking them to chip in for certain items like the flowers or wedding cake, or to pick up the tab for the rehearsal dinner," says Huber. "The key is to china traditional dresses understand how much you have to work with and then set your expectations accordingly."

This is a kind of peonies embroidered red Chinese gown , which can be worn as official gown and wedding dress. Soft lace and brocade material decorated over the waist of this gown that would show the slim figures of the woman who wear it. 

2. Use your head, not your heart. One of the best ways to keep your budget on track is to focus on what you want, not what others expect. "Just because the latest bridal magazine says that Viennese dessert stations and handtied bridal bouquets are 'in' doesn't mean you have to have them. Focus on the wedding elements that you and your fianc agree are important, and cut back on the things that aren't. This will enable you to prioritize your spending."

3. Make it an Alistonly event. Consider inviting only immediate family and close friends. "Trimming the guest list is an easy way to keep your wedding within budget. Plus, when you look back on your special day, you'll be able to honestly say that you spent it with the people who matter most to you in the world," comments Huber.

4. Think outside the box. A gorgeous wedding can be held at a nontraditional venue, such as a garden, vineyard, museum, community center, or even at your alma mater or the home of a friend or family memberand many of these locations are free or very low cost. If you prefer a more traditional wedding spot, be prepared to do your homework. To get the deal you want, you may have to be flexible on the day and chinese traditional wedding dress time of your wedding, food choices and other details. However, "there are lots of economical ways to add excitement to your wedding," says Huber. "For instance, consider skipping the multitiered wedding cake, which can add hundreds of dollars to your reception bill. Instead, order a smaller version for the cakecutting ceremony and a lesscostly sheet cake for serving. Another idea: Forgo the filet of beef and chinese traditional dress seafood appetizers and offer budgetfriendly comfort foods like macandcheese in martini glasses, minigrilled cheese bits and tiny crab cakes. These will still delight your guests and save you money."

This series of wedding dress is a combination of retro style and fashion. Finely trimmed. Exclusively handmade. Slim fit. Chinese style standing collar matched with the modern design sleeves, would make this Chinese gown full of personality. This wedding dress showing a great body shape and making it a charming fashionable chic suitable for all occasions.

5. Skip the open bar. Bar costs can add significantly to a wedding budget, which is why Huber says many couples prefer to offer guests beer and wine along with a signature cocktail, rather than an open bar. For an added touch, Huber recommends having your signature drink attractively garnished with curled lemon and lime peels or mini fruit kabobs. "Garnishes are usually provided at no charge by venues and caterers, yet they give the appearance that you've spent more." Huber also suggests closing the bar an hour before your reception is scheduled to end. "That gives guests time to sober up before the drive home; it may also save you significant dollars on your final bar bill."

6. Don't go overboard on invitations. Skip the printed savethedate cards and use email instead. "You'll save money and a branch or two of a small tree in the process," says Huber. "When ordering printed wedding invitations, look carefully at their size and weight. Many are multilayered and bulky, which can add significantly to your postage costs."

7. Enlist your family and friends. Is there a musician in your family who can perform during your ceremony? What about an artistic friend who can design and print the invitations and table cards? "Many of my clients have tapped family and friends to help with decorations, music, printing and other needs. Sometimes that help is given free of charge; other times it's in lieu of a wedding gift," says Huber. "Either way, enlisting the help of people you know can make your wedding even more memorable while saving you money in the process."

8. Think offtherack. These days, brides have lots of options for getting a dream dress at a price they can afford; the key is doing your homework. In addition to bridal salons, consider department stores, bargain shops and online sites like eBay and Etsy. What about borrowing a dress or buying one that's been gently worn? "I know a bridetobe who bought two inexpensive white dresses at a consignment shop. She took the top from the first dress and paired it with the skirt from the second and then handdyed the two with green tea. The result was a oneofakind wedding gown that beautifully reflected this young women's unique stylefor less than $150."

9. Smile for the camera. Photography can be a bigticket item at a wedding. If you find the photographer you want is out of your price range, ask if he or she will work with you on an la carte or hourly basis. That way, you may be able to wait until after the wedding and use gift money to help pay for proofs or albums.

10. Partner with a professional. It's been said that it can take an average of 250 hours to plan a wedding. That's a big time commitment, especially when you and your fianc are also balancing work and other commitments. For that reason, Huber says that many couples partner with a professional to help plan their big day. "A wedding planner will help organize all the details of your wedding, do the legwork when it comes to tracking down venue options and vendors, absorb the stress of negotiating contracts and help you keep your wedding on budget. And because an experienced planner has established relationships with a wide range of vendors, you may be able take advantage of moneysaving discounts."

It's very easy to fall into the weddingspending vortex, but don't lose sight of why you're really celebrating. At the end of the day, your family and friends won't remember the name of your signature drink or the color of your floral arrangements. Instead, they'll be talking about how happy you looked and what a great time they had. With your budget in hand and some careful planning, you can have your dream wedding and still have money left over for your "happily ever after."