Sevenlist: Keys to an inexpensive, fulfilling wedding!

The most important day of your life doesn't have to be a budget buster so long as you plan ahead and take into consideration the following suggestions which will yield a significantly lower wedding day "tab":

1. Setting the Date: Although weekend weddings are more preferred, a midweek date may be cheaper if you need to rent the church and reception hall. Also, the peak wedding season is from early spring to late fall, so you might consider keeping your dates flexible to save on rates.

2. The Invitations: Make your own. They will be much more personal and much less expensive. Your guests might even keep it if they know you made it.

3. The Gown: Consider buying a previously worn “like new” wedding dress. Nobody will ever know. Besides, you’re only going to wear it once so why strain you pocket book unnecessarily. Women: Humble yourself and borrow jewelry from your loved ones. Men: Forget the tux and wear your best suit.

4. The Photographer: Shop around for a well-respected, reasonably priced photographer. This is one place you won’t want to skimp knowing that the photos will last a lifetime. Forget the videographer. No doubt you know someone who is halfway decent with a camcorder. Believe me, you’ll spend far more time looking at your photos over the years than you will an hour long video.

5. The Music: You don’t really need a live band if you think about it. You’ll be so busy with your guests that you won’t have time to enjoy it anyway. Find a DJ and give him a list of the music you’d like to hear. I promise your guests really won’t care.

6. The Reception: Plan for an afternoon reception. Dinner is more expensive than lunch and people drink more as the day progresses. Offer wine for free but have your guests pay for beer and mixed drinks. Wine is classier.

7. The Honeymoon: Consider that location is not near as important as the time you will spend together. If you both love mountain climbing or skiing, you don’t have to go to Colorado to do it. Ask around to see if perhaps somebody has one or two timeshare weeks they’d be willing to gift you with.