Sports Lovers

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . one of the best sources for no-cost or low-cost wedding ideas and much more . . . all written by a guy who wrote the books, Before You Say "I Do" and Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget. Thanks for reading!

Couples who love sports would do well to consider a sports-related honeymoon experience. How about attending a minor league baseball game, a college football game, or a tennis match? All of these can be low-cost sports-related adventures that can make any honeymoon special and memorable.

Once you know where you are traveling, call ahead and see what kind of deals you can dredge up. Great idea that can save you a lot of money and provide you with hours of fun and excitement.

Lots to do after the game, too!

Back Nov. 2

Thanks for reading Debt-Free Wedding . . . I'll be back sharing great ideas on November 2! Until then . . . thanks for visiting!

Movie Kind of Marriage

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding, a great source for no-cost or low-cost wedding ideas. Written, of course, by the guy who wrote Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget and Before You Say "I Do".

Here's a moving idea . . . use a movie theatre for your wedding and reception location. Don't think it can be done? Think again.

Most theatres are happy to rent space, and there are also party rooms for reception. A smaller wedding party can use a theatre very well, and you might even be able to incorporate a movie into your reception party (if you and your fiance are movie buffs).

Don't look past the movie theatre when you are planning a low-cost wedding.

Got Sonnets?

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding. Enjoy the advice you find here; advice on no-cost or low-cost ideas for your wedding, all written by the guy who wrote Before You Say I Do and Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget.

For anyone looking include a sonnet on the back cover of a wedding bulletin, or who might simply want to read a few lovely, erotic, esoteric, or just plain fun love sonnets, you can't go wrong with Garrison Keillor's new little volume: 77 Love Sonnets.

Try a few of these on and you'll likely find one or two you could have some fun with. But whatever you do, enjoy them. It's a small book, and these sonnets don't cost much.

Saving on Time

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . your source for no-cost or low-cost wedding ideas that can help YOU create the wedding of your dreams. All written by the guy who wrote the books Before You Say "I Do" and Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget.

Here's an important concept that can help any couple save money on their wedding plans: the more time you have for planning, the more you can save. Time, as they say, is money. And when it comes to planning a wedding, don't doubt this maxim.

Here's a great way to make time work in your favor.

Create a timeline of events and/or items you will need for your beautiful wedding. Plan at least a year in advance, and keep driving through your goals with resolve and a money-saving eye toward value. Don't purchase the first thing that strikes your fancy. Shop around. Have conversation. Shop and compare. Then, once you know how you can save on your wedding plans, go back and make your purchases or your cuts so that all of your expenditures will fit inside your budget.

Place this calendar on your fridge or on your bedroom or bathroom mirror. Keep your wedding goals and your budget in mind as you work through the weeks leading up to your wedding.

And save, save, save.

Tax Break

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . and thanks for visiting. If you have a debt-free, no-cost, or low-cost idea that you've used in YOUR wedding, write me. Love to hear from you.

Many brides and grooms may overlook some hidden tax incentives surrounding their weddings. For example, brides can get a tax break by giving their gowns away to organizations that help cancer survivors, or battered women. There are many out there.

Couples might also be able to realize tax breaks via their marriage, too. Many couples forget that married life offers several tax incentives and savings over single life, and once children arrive, there are the deductions based on dependents. No big savings, mind you, but still something to celebrate in the world of taxation.

Couples that have their receptions in the church or synagogue may also consider donating boxes of table settings, napkins, cups, etc. to the religious institution. These gifts are also donations. Just keep your receipts and get a note from the church or synagogue noting the gifts.

Don't overlook tax breaks in your wedding planning.

$1000 Wedding

You've found Debt-Free Wedding . . . your source for low-cost or no-cost wedding ideas, a blog written by a guy who wrote the books Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget and Before You Say "I Do." Thanks for visiting. Tell a friend.

Is it possible to do anything these days for a thousand dollars . . . especially when it comes to wedding plans? Absolutely! Here's a short list of some weddings you could put together for a $1000 or less!!

* Have a backyard wedding, small gathering of family and friends, a BBQ on the grill, nice music, beautiful day. Enjoy the sunshine and the savings.

* Have a church wedding at your church (likely no cost for the use of the building) and have an outdoor reception with just a group of family and friends. Find a catering service who can provide a meal for around $7 a head. YES! You can find food for this budget!

* Have your wedding with a judge, a reception following at a nice restaurant with a small gathering of family and friends. Cut a cake. $1000 wedding! Bingo!

Got Sonnets?

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . a great source of no-cost or low-cost wedding and reception ideas, all written by a guy who wrote the books Before You Say "I Do" and Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget.

I noticed the book a few weeks ago: Garrison Keillor's 77 Sonnets. Now here's a very nice, low-cost idea for sonnets that you could read at the wedding, the reception, or just share together. Funny stuff here, but also some nice sonnets that speak of love and devotion.

Enjoy this book with someone you love. You know who I'm talking about.

Great Books

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . a blog that is a fantastic source of no-cost or low-cost ideas for your wedding and much much more . . . and all written by a guy who knows weddings.

Many couples begin the serious phase of their relationship by looking to good books and resources to help them plan and discuss every aspect of their marriage (not just the wedding).

Toward that end, let me suggest some of the best of the best books you can find out there to help you learn more about each other and grow a successful marriage.

Premarital:

Before You Say "I Do" by Todd Outcalt (hey, it's the best, what can I say!)

Getting the Love You Want, by Harville Hendrix

Wedding Planning:

Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget, by Todd Outcalt

Bridal Bargains

Marriage:

Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus, by John Gray

The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman

You can't go wrong with any of these...check them out.

Like a Rock

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . a blog for the bride who wants to save money or plan a no-debt wedding, and written by a guy who wrote the books Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget and Before You Say "I Do". Thanks for visiting. Tell a friend.

Here's another great reception table decor idea you may have overlooked. Use rocks. Think I have rocks in the head? Well, there are many decorative rocks out there, and there are also rocks that have messages on them. Some of these "message" rocks are great conversation starters or can convey some of the feelings of your wedding: such as "Love" or "Joy."

Yes, they make these and they are readily available.

Need a beginning place for your search? Try http://www.orientaltrading.com/.

Frame [Up]

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . a small, stop on your way to planning a no cost or low cost wedding, all written by a guy who wrote the books Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget (Sourcebooks) and Before You Say "I Do" (Perigee).

Couples who need a low-cost gift idea for bridal party helpers can't go wrong with a picture frame. It's a gift that everyone can use, and a frame is not something that most people would purchase for themselves. A win-win.

Look for great low-cost frames at places like

Costco

Michaels

Hobby Lobby

Target

Lots of selection and you can probably find a frame at one of these stores that would fit your budget easily.

The Place

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding...the blog written by a guy who wrote Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget and Before You Say "I Do". And, if you say I do to planning a debt-free wedding, read on. Hundreds of great ideas can be found here.

Couples can save money, maybe tremendous money, when they find a wedding place on the cheap. And one of the best places to begin looking is in public places. Don't overlook a small niche, cranny, or a side room at a local library. Don't look past museums, gardens and public monuments and parks.

Couples planning the small wedding, especially, should be able to locate an intimate setting for little or nothing. And usually, these public spaces are located near a great restaurant, outdoor setting, or gathering place that would be perfect for the reception.

Look for the large buildings but the intimate spaces inside. And save, save, save!