You and your fiance are so deserving of the most estravagant wedding but there is one hitch you say....$$$!! That is all right. You see, all the resources to pull off perfection are right here before your eyes. Read along with me and let me help you make your most treasured day in life a day you will adore for all years to come. First off, CONGRATULATIONS!! I share in your happiness!. If you are ready, let's get started. There is one prerequisite. You use resources I suggest. This will keep you in your budget. And isn't that our joint goal?  I am sharing this guide with you as it is a proven one.  As a mother of 4, we just performed what I am about to share with you for our firstborn son!  Your wedding will take place outside. Goal, look around your area and find where you can access water! BACKDROP:The ocean, bay, pond, will act as your backdrop. There are always steps leading to them. This will be your RUNWAY. If needed, a long remnant of carpet can be obtained for $25.00  to $30.00 at your local carpet store. They have loads and loads of remnants to sell and you can pick and choose your color. If you don't find the width, you can cut it yourself with strong scissors to make it narrow to your taste. That is DONE. Now, ARCHWAY: Go to local churchs and photographer's to get an archway donated. It will happen. Tell them your truth. You're on a strick budget and need help. You need it for ONE day and will make arrangement to have it returned per thier rules. You reinforce how you will take good care of it. If you get this from the photographer, you will pass out his business cards to all the attendees to aide in advertising for him. Explain you are on a tight budget, family members will be taking your pictures and he will honor your wishes. We found this over and over again. Now, you have a donated Arch! Way Cool!! Now that brings up your PICTURES. We used a digital camera. Took our personal semi-formal photos and could see them right away. Take your time and let mom, dad, sis, bro, family member help you. If you do not have family, you can solicit someone from work or church to help. They will come to your aide. So far you have spent $30.00. Now go to walmart and get disposable cameras. There is a wedding pack of two for under $20.00.Get two packs. $40.00 tops! you have spent $70.00 now. You will hand out these disposable cameras to 4 people you trust. They will be assigned different goals. You choose the type of photo you and your finance desire. Ask yourselves if you want more ceremony, the kiss, the prayer, perhaps you desire your guests photographed, the reception, the cake cutting, the garter, you will appoint in advance who will take what so you have no worries. These will be developed locally for 10.00 singles, 14.00 doubles. You decide and enlargements can me made anytime. Not a worry for this day! If people ask what they can give you?A enlargement of one of those photos framed would be IDEAL!! Wouldn't it? MUSIC- borrow a battery operated boom box. Make your CD of your music OR Buy the wedding CD's offered at all music stores. We spent 15.00 for the traditional music on CD and played the wedding march!! It was phenomanal! CHAIRS......Go rent 30-40 chairs. It will cost 75-100 TOPS!! Save money buy picking them up and returning them. The rest of the guests stand and it is beautiful! Let the elderly and immediate family be seated! The chairs are most elegant if white wooden chairs. They show outside pictorally sound and very tailored. No covers or flowers needed on them. FLOWERS:  Order the brides babybreaths and 3 white or red roses...(Christian-Trinity) 2 mothers wrist coursages, the two fathers a single-boutineer, your maid of honor... and best man.......this will all cost about $200 on high end. One both sides of your archway, place a floral arrangement (artificial is fine) It can be ferns year-round and inexpensive. This will cost $50.00 tops. Your clergyman, $50.00 is fine. Not offensive and he understands your desire and respects your budget. Discuss in advance so there are no miscommunications. THE DRESS: This is where you have to deside your goal? Wear new, used, borrowed? I can help here by suggesting sale shopping in department stores early or Consignment shops. If you HAVE to have new, and I think you do....just shop savy and don't spend over $200! His suit is a rented TUX $75 or save money and wear a shirt and tie.Coat of course if cold! Smile..........

THERE.........you have done it! It is $785....so far!!  Now.......lets go to the reception, shall we>>?? Congratulations Mr & Mrs. You are one!! Blessings to you from me!! Choose a local restaurant that has a designated area. We paid $100.00 for the space. Now you are at 885! Use Mother Nature for your decor. This is done in advance. We went to the beach and got shell and pours the sand in them.PERFECT! You can use your own ideas to match the theme of your wedding setting. Any water setting, shells are perfect. Go to Al's 5 & 10, Freds, Walmart, and get 1 pack of gold or silver wedding bands. They come in packs of 100, 200.etc. Cost 3.99 Place two wedding bands in the sand of each shell and each shell will be placed at each place setting for your guests. Now 890!.  Spend the $50.00 and order yourselves monogrammed matches with the color of your wedding band as monogrammed color. You look purposed and everyone has another momento of your day! After 23 years, (like me) you will get them out and use them to light your anniversary candles each year and smile inside when you do so! (Alan Jacksons "Remember When" is so awesome for those Anniversary Candles!) That comes later. Smile! Your Wedding CAKE: Can be home made by a friend or splurge and spend $75.00 to a grocery store and pick a simple stacked cake. When you get it, pluck rose petals and place them on your cake! Beautiful! (roses...another 10) Total 975!! You have all your guests pay for thier own dinner........the parents pay for yours......if not, budget out something above and pay for your dinner. That leaves $25.00 Here is where you decide if you want some candles on your tables...Idea ..you can do that for minimal amount using votive style. White and inexpensive. Don't buy candle holders for that, you can buy a stack of small coffee plates for pennies on the dollar at resale shops. If you want to spray paint them Black shiny.......IT WORKS!!

You are under a $1000.00, you are married, you have a memorable Reception and it was shared by all your friends!! Now you can take the money you saved and put it in your HOME (Don't rent if you can help it) and Live within your means!! TOGETHER........and Blessed and always use your budget guides on EBAY!