Honeymoon Wonders

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . where you can find dozens of no cost or low cost ideas for your honeymoon . . .

And speaking of honeymoon . . . how can you save money there? In Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget, I share dozens of great tips, but don't forget to go online for great savings on hotel accomodations. That's where savings can really happen, and you can't go wrong with looking at any of the following:

eleganthotels.com

occidentalhotels.com

luxurylink.com

And this is just the beginning. Check back soon and I'll have some other tips for saving on transportation and recreation!

Sunglasses

Welcome to Debt-free Wedding...great ideas...and all written by the guy who wrote Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget.

How's this for a low-cost but well-received gift idea: Sunglasses!

A summer idea for wedding attendants, helpers, and friends . . . maybe even some photographs. And if you wear your sunglasses only at night . . . you can be a one-hit wonder.

Check out the internet for some nice deals!

Candle in the Wind

Thanks for visiting Debt Free Wedding . . . where I hope you will find some great ideas for your no-cost or low-cost wedding plans . . . and even more to be found in Your Beautiful Wedding On Any Budget.

Here's a quick low-cost idea for your gift bag for attendants and your reception. Use candles for your center piece display on the reception tables, and purchase enough of these candles to give some to your attendants. Great deals can be had on volume candle purchases--and there are many varieties of candles, too.

Woodwick candles are not only wonderfully scented, but make a fascinating sound while burning.

There are also country candles, scented candles, soy candles, and dozens of other name labels. And everyone not only enjoys candles, but can use another one. Great gift and lively center piece all rolled into one.

The Family That Pays Together

Welcome to Debt Free Wedding . . . where all the ideas are free and couples can plan a no cost or low cost wedding. And if you need the book, try Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget.

Many couples have wedding cost assistance from family members or parents. But one of the biggest factors in happiness and accountability is communication about the wedding expenses. It's a must that brides and grooms discuss their wedding plans and costs with those who may otherwise be footing the bill.

The best way to begin the budgeting process is to actually sit down at the table together and review all of the various items and services needed, a ball-park cost for each, and then determine who will pay for what. Those footing the bill may need to weigh in on what is expedient, or too extravagant, etc.

Creating a low cost wedding budget is not that difficult if couples have reason and the ability to talk about their feelings and desires. And accomplished in love, everything works together and works out for the family budget, too.

(PS...does anyone ever watch THE FAMILY GUY? I've never seen the show.)

Shop Till Ya Drop?

Welcome to Debt Free Wedding . . . where hundreds of great no cost or low cost ideas await, all written by the guy who wrote Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget.

There are generally two schools of thought when it comes to getting the most bang for your wedding buck: shop till you drop or buy the bargain. The latter idea holds much more promise for brides who want to save money on their weddings.

The thing is, it's far easier for all of us to simply shop at will, or to buy on impulse. But with wedding planning, that's a deadly financial crunch on the wedding budget. Rather, make a list of the items and services you will need for your wedding and then buy the bargain. It's easy to do a casual price check on items by perusing online for awhile before you actually shop it.

Look for bargains instead of impulse . . .

Prioritize to Save

Welcome to Debt Free Wedding . . . the place to save. If you need ideas for no cost or low cost wedding ideas, you'll find hundreds of ideas in Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget.

Couples would do well to prioritize to save. Consider the total budget you have to work with (the amount) and then work backwards and subtract items and services from the total budget to plan the wedding of your dreams.

Are flowers more important than the limo to the airport?

Do we really need a full band at the reception, or could a DJ do the trick?

Do we need ten nights of honeymoon, or could we do seven nights?

These and many other questions can help brides and grooms arrive at a safe and secure wedding budget without going into debt. Make a priority list and stick to it.

Watch Those Costs

Welcome to Debt Free Wedding and hundreds of money-saving ideas for your wedding and honeymoon, all written by the guy who wrote Your Beautiful Wedding On Any Budget.

There's one place where most brides/grooms overlook wedding costs . . . and that's the hidden fees. First, there are taxes, and many time brides overlook the mounting taxes added onto dresses, shoes, and items (sales tax). The price seen on the tag is frequently not the price paid at the register.

Then, there are fees associated with services, such as catering. Often, fees can be as varied and difficult to ascertain as the number of shrimp in a salad . . . so watch closely and ask questions.

Finally, fees attached to everything from the wedding license to the various rentals . . . it all adds up. So beware. Shop and compare. Look at the fine print. And save.

Picnic Reception

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

A few years ago I presided over a small outdoor wedding where, afterwards, the bride and groom had prepared a "picnic" reception. All elegantly done...the picnic was replete with all of the traditional fixings of a picnic in the park. We gathered in a park shelter house and the children were able to play on a nearby playground.

A few blankets, some fried chicken and potato salad, some lemonade. Hey, it's all good and it beat the pants of many of the high-cost receptions I'd been to that were held in stuffy back rooms and country clubs.

How about having a picnic reception? If you love the outdoors and want to have the kind of low-key good time with your friends and family . . . get going, get cooking.