Planning Your Dream Wedding on a Budget

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Want your big day to be memorable, but you're limited on funds? Learn how you can plan your dream wedding (without breaking your budget)!

Weddings are a celebration, but for some couples, it can be a financial burden. Did you know the average wedding in the United States costs over $35,000?!

The good news is you don't have to spend that money to have an awesome and beautiful wedding day.

Dream Wedding Without Breaking Your Budget

Jessica Bishop, The Budget Savvy Bride, recently chatted with me and shared some fantastic tips to make your special day memorable and less financially stressful.

How to Decide on Your Wedding Budget

There are so many ways a wedding is paid for. Many couples have to take care of all of the wedding expenses themselves like Jessica and Eric did with theirs.

When we were engaged our parents wanted to help out with many of the expenses.

However your wedding is funded, make sure you're clear with who's paying what. If the family is chipping in, are they going to give the money to you upfront, or pay the expenses once the arrangements have been made?

You also want to talk about if there are any expectations with accepting money from others. Perhaps your parents would like certain relatives to be there. Maybe that's fine with you, maybe it's a deal breaker. Just make sure you understand and talk it out before spending any money.

Perhaps your parents would like certain relatives to be there. Maybe that's fine with you, maybe it's a deal breaker. Just make sure you understand and talk it out before spending any money.

With a wedding plan and budget, you can make sure you get the wedding you want without breaking the budget.

Jessica and Eric decided that they were going to keep their wedding $10,000 or less. Having a concrete number makes it easier to figure out how much you need to save/spend each month.

Bigger isn't always better. In fact, having a smaller budget puts you in a space where you have to be more creative and define what truly matters to you.

My buddy Jessi decided that a $500 wedding would be the best option for them. Whatever your budget, just make sure agree and have a way to track things.

Focus on what you want and what you can comfortably afford and your wedding day will be just right for you.

Going into debt for one day is not how you want to start off your marriage. Think of your long-term dreams.

This is also a wonderfully romantic and practical way to work together on finances.

Where to Splurge and Where to Save on Your Wedding

For Jessica, having awesome photographs was a priority so her wedding budget reflected that.

On the other hand, having a live band was as big of a deal so they opted to go with

Every couple has their own take on a dream wedding; embrace yours. Do you have a specific venue or location you truly want for your wedding? Set up your budget to have enough to cover it.

Have you two picked out those crucial details that will make or break your wedding? If not, jot them down.

Wedding Gifts and Your Network

Do you have a talented friend who wants to help out with your wedding? You may want to see if you can work something out.

Jessica's neighborhood had made birthday cakes for her family for years.

It was not only a financially helpful gift, but it was also a personal touch that she treasured.

Thoughts on Being Budget Savvy with Your Wedding

I'd love to hear your take about weddings. If you're planning yours, where are you splurging? What are you saving on?

For those already married, how did your wedding go? What was the planning like?