Cotton Is King

Welcome to debt-free wedding . . . a site written for the couple who wants to create a debt free lifestyle. Here you'll find hundreds of low cost or no cost ideas for your wedding, and all written by the guy who wrote the book Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget.

So . . . for that second anniversary plan, you have to go with cotton. Yes, that's the traditional gift. And, since a bale of cotton won't do for most couples, you're going to need other ideas.

How about a nice set of cotton sheets? For him, a cotton shirt? For her, perhaps a nice decorative set of cotton placemats or perhaps some cotton gloves?

And don't worry about the cotton-exchange. Check out the Bed Bath and Beyond Website for some great ideas here.

Anniversary Plans

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . a great source for no cost or low cost ideas that will help you create a debt free life, and written by Todd Outcalt, author of Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget and Before You Say "I Do". Enjoy.

Most couples actually begin to think about their anniversary plans before getting married . . . well, at least women do. And, as you may know, there is a traditional order to anniversary gifts, along with suggested or traditional items.

For example, the first year anniversary gift is traditionally paper. But what can you purchase that would be a fine paper gift? Well, forget purchasing anything for that first year. Instead, make your paper gift one of the following (you'll save money, but will actually be giving a gift that is deeply meaningful):

* Write a love letter on a fine piece of stationery with a nice ink pen. Practice first and get it right. A real keepsake.

* Write a nice poem on same.

* Give your spouse an origami crane (you can find origami patterns on line).

Checking Your List

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding and the many ideas you'll find here that will save you money and help you to create a debt-free life . . . written by a guy who wrote Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget.

Have you and your fiance had conversations about marital issues, reached an impasse when it comes to certain aspects of the wedding, or just had disagreements about issues? Don't despair, there are ways to talk about these issues.

One way is to make a checklist of the themes, topics, or issues that are giving you problems. Sit down and discuss them in a logical and precise manner. You can likely reach a solution (or make a decision as to who will be responsible for that aspect of the wedding, etc.)

Or, you could write down your thoughts in letter form an exchange letters.

Or, you could make a priority list of items or issues that you will tackle the next time they arise. Stick this on your fridge or keep it close at hand. It will keep your conversations on track and help you find solutions.

Speaking of Marriage

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . a place where couples can discover fantastic ideas for creating a debt-free life along with low-cost or no-cost wedding ideas. All written by the guy who wrote Before You Say "I Do" and Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget.

This week I'll be returning to my roots and conducting a seminar on marriage. Couples who want to build a successful marriage will discover that their wedding plans are only the tip of a very large iceberg. So many couples also begin with the wedding in mind, without stopping to consider that the marriage is the life they will be building together. A marriage is so much more than a day.

Five quick tips for couples who are looking to save money and build a life. Concentrate on these and you can't go wrong.

* Communication (effective, open and honest . . . always!)

* Finances (nothing hidden, plan your life together, be on the same page with money!!)

* Ethics and Values (gotta be going in the same directions)

* Goals (do you have them? Are you working together to achieve. A marriage without goals is like a train without a track. Gotta have a track and a direction!)

* Family (make sure you build your relationship from the inside out...family first)

Saving on Rings

Thanks for visiting Debt-Free Wedding . . . you must enjoy saving money, or plan to have a debt-free life. This little blog can help. Written by a guy who wrote the books Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget and Before You Say "I Do".

Many couples overlook the engagement and wedding rings as a source of savings . . . but you don't have to compromise beauty and quality to find rings that can save you money.

Check out any of the following web sites for some great options on varieties and styles of rings that can put money back into your checking account. Money you can use for your honeymoon, your reception, or anything else you want. Heck, save your money and build your marriage!

http://www.diamondnexuslabs.com/

http://www.bluenile.com/

http://www.ice.com/

http://www.moisonnite.com/

Game Stops

Thanks for visiting Debt-Free Wedding. I hope you will find some tips that can help you plan a debt-free wedding.

Here's one: if you are looking for a low-cost (even a no-cost) option for some reception table center pieces, how about using some board games? These are colorful, fun, and can actually give your guests a nice break--especially if you and the wedding party arrive a bit late.

Give your guests some fun by placing a board game at the center of each table. These don't have to be standard, but they should be games that anyone in the family could play. You'll be surprised at how quickly people will fall into rolling dice and such.

Sound too funky? When it's time for the festivities to begin, invite everyone to put the games away or announce a winner from each table.