Emotional Inventory

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . a very fine place to discover no-cost or low-cost ideas for your wedding.

There are now many books available that can help couples save money on weddings. They seem to be as abundant as chicken soup. Still, couples continue to go into debt, beginning their married life under the enormous strain of unpaid credit card bills, car payments, and residual payments to be made on the wedding and honeymoon itself. And yes, there are alternatives!

Couples would do well to take an emotional inventory at every step of the way during their wedding plans. Openness and honesty are key ingredients to planning a wedding, of course, but also making a life together.

There are great bridal magazines and other books out there that can prepare couples to discuss the financial and relational realities of married life . . . and they can't go wrong by picking up a couple of these books and sharing them.

Being prepared will, in the long run, save a couple thousands of dollars in so many ways.

Trade Offs

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding...your home for no-cost or low-cost wedding idea, all written by the guy who wrote Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget.

Couples looking for great wedding deals can often begin by looking at relationships. Who do they know? Who can help them create a debt-free wedding? What are some of the great deals that can be worked out through creative trades?

For example, I knew one couple who owned a flower shop. They had friends who owned a limo service. They worked out a trade where wedding arrangements were swapped for limo service to the reception hall.

Creative trade offs can be had when couples think about who they know and what they have to offer. A key is making sure everyone benefits, and that they trades are no one-sided.

Great trades can involve not only transportation, but also decor, stationery, or even accommodations. Get creative and start saving.

Light a Candle

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Most couples are going to use candles in their wedding ceremony. And, while not a big-ticket item, candles can be costly. But there are ways to save on the wax.

For example, if you are having your wedding in a church or synagogue, there will likely be a few candles provided. Don't bring your own candle (BYOC) unless you have to.

But if you are bound and determined to have a fresh stick of wax for your ceremony, why not check out any of the following online places to save. Great options for the wax crowd.

http://www.candlecomfortzone.com/

http://www.waxwizard.com/

http://www.genwax.com/

Wedding Stationery

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Many couples have discovered that they can save on all things paper by having a "do it yourself" mentality. Consider stationery and invitations, for example.

Sure, a couple can spend hundreds of dollars by having their stationery professionally printed, folded, and mailed . . . but many of the best-looking and most creative wedding invitations I have seen have not come out of a catalogue. They have come from the creative energies of the couple.

Creating your own invitations can also bring the two of you together as you plan the wedding.

So consider:

* Buying a couple of calligraphy pens from a store like Staples or Office Depot.

* Purchase some nice paper, or use various colors.

* Create your own invitations and address the envelopes by hand using the calligraphy pens. With a bit of practice you'll be writing like a pro in no time.

Give it a try!

Crystal Skulls

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Couples who set of goal of making it to fifteen years of marriage should begin making plans for the perfect crystal gift. Crystal bowls, crystal glasses, sure, but how about finding the perfect low-cost crystal gift?

For her:

A crystal candy dish

For him:

A crystal paper weight

A Tusk'it, A Task'it

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding, home of many low-cost or no cost ideas for your wedding and honeymoon . . . and written by the guy who wrote Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget.

Anniversary fourteen, according to Hallmark, is ivory. But where do you find ivory if not from an elephant? And, do elephants remember?

Nevertheless, if you are planning that special fourteen-year anniversary gift, why not consider one of the following:

For Her:

An ivory stick pin

An ivory jewelry box

A cameo

For Him:

?

Thirteen & Lace

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Some of the best anniversary plans are simple. A nice dinner. A relaxing evening at home. And by the time a couple hits number thirteen, chances are a relaxing evening is enough.

That's why lace seems to be the gift of choice for anniversary number thirteen. Lace?

How about some of these gifts:

A decorative table piece

A lace handkerchief

A lace book mark

Simple but elegant. For him? How about shoe laces? Hey, lace is lace. Right?!

Silk Purse or Sow's Ear?

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding, the source for low-cost or no-cost wedding ideas. All written by the guy who wrote Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget. Enjoy.

Any couple who wants to go the distance in marriage will have to make it through the seven-year-itch, eight-year-scratch, and the nine-year-hives. Or something like that. But every couple has the eleventh anniversary to look forward to, especially since it's silky soft.

Here are a few great gift ideas for that eleventh anniversary.

For her:

Silk scarf

Silk blouse

For him:

Silk pocket patch

Silk necktie

Silk handkerchief