The Money Well

Several years ago, it was a common practice at wedding receptions for brides to have a "money well" or a "card basket", where guests could drop cash, checks, and other card-enclosed gifts. It was also not uncommon for brides to discover, later, that some of the money had been stolen.

One of the best ways that brides and grooms can save money on their wedding is by making sure that they don't lose money! Be aware that there are thiefs out there (yes, real life wedding crashers who are not looking for women, but easy money). If your wedding announcement is in the newspaper, or if your reception is being held in a popular place that hosts similar events every weekend, it is not uncommon to find criminals on the lookout for easy cash. They know you are there!

Guard your gifts, your guests, and your bar . . . ever heard of someone crashing a party for a free drink?

Travel Helps for Time and Money

Often, the internet is the best place to search for the best rates and deals on honeymoon travel and hotel accommodations. And couples that are looking to begin a search might do well to try a few of these lesser-known sites:

dealbase.com
farecast.live.com
farecompare.com
lastminutetravel.com
laterooms.com
zonder.com

Give one or more of these a spin to see if you can't find some excellent honeymoon deals.

Green Weddings

The other day I noted a sign in a bridal shop window declaring the arrival of the "Green Wedding." I'm not exactly certain what the shop owner had in mind, but here are a few green ideas for weddings and receptions that might also save money, too.

Instead of buying new candles, reuse others (you can easily hide a burned candle inside a holder).

Instead of using plastic or foam cups at the reception, use washable mugs or glasses. (And enterprising couples might also be able to keep these for their own use.)

Use table cloths instead of disposable coverings.

Conduct the wedding and /or reception outside (or a portion of same) and save energy.

Use bubbles instead of rice.

Recycle paper products as you can at the reception and have recycle containers on hand.

Educational Wedding

This morning, while listening to The Today Show, I heard a tidbit that provoked some serious thought about weddings and how much the average couple spends ($30,000 for wedding, reception and honeymoon, on average).

Our TV experts were pointing out that some younger people are foregoing the big wedding concept so that they can pay for an education. Now, if that's true, hurrah! It's hands-down a fact that a college education will, over the course of a lifetime, help a person earn more than a million dollars more than a high school grad. Weddings don't pay out that kind of mullah (unless someone marries a millionaire who isn't going into debt through bad financial decisions).

No, these folks had it right. If it's a choice between spending and spending and spending to have a white dress day or an education, the best choice is the latter. Find a way to have a debt free wedding on a budget you can afford and hit the books. That's the kind of wedding that will pay back a thousand-fold in the years ahead.

Under One Roof

Not long ago I presided over a wedding/reception that was celebrated under one room. The bride and groom had located a small house that was could be rented for family gatherings. Just perfect for a small wedding, dinner reception, relaxing evening.

In the words of the groom, "We just wanted a small, affordable wedding."

They got it. It was delightful. Relaxing evening with family, no large stresses planning an overblown event. Great food. And the best of all: no debt.

Now this couple knows how to get started on a marriage the right way. With the average wedding in the US now coming in at a whopping $30,000, is it any wonder so many marriages hit the skids in the first few years? Debt stinks. And when a couple is coming out of the chute already maxed out in debt, well . . . you get the picture.

Keep the wedding and reception simple and make a marriage like this couple!

Free Fun

In the event there are brides and grooms out there who are looking for lots of free fun (reception games for the kids, perhaps) or maybe something easy for the family at the rehearsal dinner . . . check out www.funattic.com.

A great site with lots of ideas for outdoor, indoor, water, and beach games.

Most of these games require little prep and the ideas are easy to read.

Have fun! Have it free!

New Year's Resolution

Those who are getting married in 2009 may want to make a resolution that they will be able to pay for their wedding. With the average wedding/reception/honeymoon costs now escalating beyond $30,000, it is easy to see why most couples begin their marriages so deeply in debt.

But here's a novel concept: why not have a wedding/reception/honeymoon that is paid for free and clear? Why not start out married life with money in the bank, rather than buried under enormous credit card and loan debt?

Financial stresses are still the number one cause of divorce, and many couples set out on the divorce path on the same day they say "I Do." Sad, but true.

Sit down together in 2009 and create a wedding budget you can afford. You'll discover a happier, healthier relationship than you thought possible.