The Budget Wedding Sourcebook

Copyright
CONTENTS
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
PRIORITIES AND EXPECTATIONS
	Identifying Your Priorities
	Clarifying Your Expectations
	The Wedding Expectations Worksheet
	The Wedding Planning Calendar
THE BUDGET BLUEPRINT
	Will Our Dollars Match Our Dreams?
	Average Costs and Percentages
	The Basic Budget Blueprint
	Our Savings Goal
GETTING STARTED AND GETTING ORGANIZED
	The Organization Game Plan
	The Golden Rules of Budget Planning
	The Golden Rules of Budget Shopping
	The Top 50 Shortcuts to Savings
THE WEDDING CONSULTANT
	How Do I Find a Consultant?
	Questions to Ask When Hiring a Consultant
THE MYTHS AND REALITIES OF WEDDING PLANNING
	What Insiders Know
	The Most Common Wedding Myths
REAL COUPLES, REAL BUDGETS
	Lynn and Bob Dennis
	Anna Marie and Glen McElroy
	Lisa and Shawn Michael
BUYING THE RINGS
	Choosing a Diamond
	Buyer Beware
	Great Sources for Free Buying Guides
	Ways to Save on Rings
THE WEDDING GOWN
	Savvy Shopping Strategies
	Ways to Save on the Wedding Gown
	Ways to Save on Accessories
THE WEDDING PARTY
	Ways to Save on Attire for the Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids
	Ways to Save on Attire for the Flower Girl
	Ways to Save on Attire for the Best Man and Groomsmen
	Ways to Save on Gifts for the Attendants
WEDDING INVITATIONS
	Printing Methods
	Ways to Save on Invitations
	Engagement and Wedding Announcements
	Invitation Resources
FAVORS AND ACCESSORIES
	Ways to Save on Wedding Favors
	Ideas for Inexpensive Favors
	Do-It-Yourself Ideas
	Ways to Save on Popular Accessories
	Resources for Unique Favors and Accessories
THE WEDDING CEREMONY
	Setting the Date
	Ways to Save
	Special Touches That Don’t Cost a Fortune
	Questions to Ask the Officiant or Ceremony Site Manager
THE RECEPTION AND CATERING
	Ways to Save on the Reception
	Ways to Save on Liquor and Beverages
	Ways to Save on Catering
	Special Touches at the Reception
	Questions to Ask the Reception or Catering Manager
	Catering Your Own Wedding
FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS
	The Six Rules for Saving on Flowers
	Choosing the Bridal Bouquet
	Ways to Save on Flowers
	Ideas for Inexpensive Centerpieces
	Ideas for Decorating an Outdoor Site
	Inexpensive Flowers
	Internet Resources for Information on Flowers
	Do It Yourself
THE WEDDING CAKE
	Flat, Tiered, or Stacked?
	Easy Ways to Slice the Cost
	Sources Other Than a Bakery
	Popular Wedding Cake and Filling Combinations
	Bake It Yourself
THE BRIDAL REGISTRY
	Ways to Save on the Registry
	Unusual Items to Register
	Bridal Registry Resources
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY
	Ways to Save on Photography
	Ways to Save on Videography
	Questions to Ask the Photographer or Videographer
MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
	Music for the Ceremony
	Hiring a Disc Jockey
	Hiring a Band
	Ways to Save on Music
	Questions to Ask the Musicians or Disc Jockey
TRANSPORTATION
	Ways to Save on Getting Around
	Sample Hourly Rates
	Questions to Ask the Vehicle Company
THE HONEYMOON
	Finding a Knowledgeable Travel Agent
	Avoiding “Honeymoon” Spots
	Airfare Savvy
	Ways to Save on Accommodations
	Staying Close to Home
	Train and Airline Passes
	Honeymoon Cruises
	Be a Wary Consumer
CONCLUSION
INDEX