Getting Married without Going into Debt

One of the major stresses that affects marriage is money. In fact, it is often what prevents people from wanting to get married or be married.

However, it is possible to be wed and even have a nice honeymoon without paying overwhelming financial consequences afterward. The following are tips on how to save money on your wedding and to prepare for married life:

Get married at your local church. You are sure to get a discount on ceremony and reception space if you plan your wedding and reception at a church. Sometimes if you are highly involved in a church organization you may even receive free space for your special day.

Hold a ceremony in a public park. Usually the permit for this will cost next to nothing. Sometimes you can even find outdoor spots where you can set up your wedding for free. I you want to protect your guests from rain you may be able to rent a pavilion for as inexpensive as a few hundred dollars or less.

Shop for bargains at dollar stores and discount stores. These are especially great places to find themes for table and hall decorations. Often strands of white flowers, centerpieces, and candles have been available at these places for as cheap as a few dollars, or even only one dollar. 

Shop for Wedding Attire at Factory Outlet or Closeout Stores. You would be surprise how many of last-year's wedding gowns and tuxes are available. You can often rent or purchase these items for hundreds of dollars less than regular retail price. If they are only a year old they are sure to be in style, and it would often cost less to alter them than to purchase them brand new.

Plan unique but affordable getaways. You can find treasures of relaxation and enjoyment even near where you live. This may sound a little ironic, but perhaps you would want to check out the visitor's site of your own locality for places nearby where you can plan an enchanting honeymoon celebration.

 Create a large registry-or tactfully request cash. If you are both just starting out together you  may need dishes, towels, and other household items. If so, place every item that you can think of on your registry. 

Plan fundraising games. One wedding reception game that is popular is "Pay a dollar to dance with the groom (or bride)." Another idea would be to sell raffle tickets for door prizes at wedding showers, bachelor and bachelorette (stag or hen/doe) parties. You might also consider selling cocktails and other drinks, planning a paid performance, or following through with a wacky dare.

Find Volunteer Cooks. You are sure to have a few willing cooks in your family, or within your group of friends. Also note that buffet style meals versus per-dish types of meals are usually less expensive. You can have a quality meal for your wedding reception guests at a fraction of what it would cost to hire a professional caterer.

Request help from as many people as possible. If you know you can find help for marriage and wedding preparation, ask as many people as possible. It will further cut down on wedding planning expenses. For instance, perhaps someone in your family or among your circle of friends, or your co-workers knows how to take professional pictures. 

Following the above tips should help you have a very rewarding wedding ceremony. More importantly, you can start your life together off right-debt free and living within your means. In fact, if you are able to enter marriage without a huge financial burden it will increase your chance of a successful life together.