My wedding is Feb 28, 2009 and i agree that all things wedding are too expensive.  I did as much purchasing as I could on the internet.  The prices were much better.  some things I still had to pay retail.  I too think that the persons getting married is more important than how much on your wedding.  Long term goals is what every couple should be looking toward.  

I'm planning my daughter's wedding in April and we're being absolutely ruthless in cost-cutting. She found a discount dress online ($150.00, looks great!) and I've been scouring the dollar stores for deals on decorations, flowers, etc. We have set a rock-solid budget of $1000.00 and so far we're right on target to come in under that. We're figuring on @100 attending (including the wedding party-one attendant each for the bride and groom). BTW, I got married for $25.00 and that was almost 24 years ago, so it's definitely true you don't have to break the bank to have a sweet wedding.

There's lots of ways to save money on a wedding. I've seen a new online service to create your wedding album and make invitations for about half the cost of using the traditional printers and photographers. I think it's called Tuxedo Books. Also, some of the smaller halls will let you cater parts of the dinner or drinks yourself to save a couple of bucks. I've seen some really nice weddings at halls owned by the firefighters' union and the local steel workers' union. Both places were very nice and about half the price of a wedding banquet hall.

I LOVE this post!  My fiance and I are currently trying to win a wedding through a contest in Minnesota.  We budgeted a small amount for a wedding because we are avid readers of Smart Spending and know how important it is to save for the future.  This contest would give us the opportunity to have an amazing wedding without the astronomical cost of today's wedding events.  

We have tried really hard to get votes from family and friends but other couples that have gotten onto their favorite blogs are WAY ahead of us.  We would really appreciate it if the Smart Spending readers would help us achieve our goal by voting for us at:

feldmannnissangiveaway.com/Details.aspx\

Thank you so much for reading this! If we don't win we'll definitely be using these awesome tips!

my fiance and i are getting marrired and the prices of a hall os insane hope i dont get more than 130 pepole at the most as its insane

A word of advice from someone who has done it twice--not counting all the friends weddings I've done.  The Dollar Tree or other dollar stores often have a "wedding" section.  Sure it's paper plates, but they're imprinted with a nice design, they also have centerpieces  and candles--and they look expensive, even though they're not. Also they have flowers that can be used for inexpensive decoration or even as the the bouquet.  Do a single layer sheet cake standard from the bakery and use a cake topper, figurine, or flower design that means something to you . . . a keepsake that you can have as a memory of your wedding.  Both my weddings came in under $500, cake, clothes, rings, food, and all!

I am getting married in Sept. of 2009 and we set a top $ amount of $5000.  That is including EVERYTHING!!  Bridesmaids dresses... Food... Favors. Everything.  I have at least 1/2 of what I need (including my dress) and I haven't spent $1000 yet.  I watched sales and bought anything and everything on sale or even a lot of it was clearanced.  I am using fake flowers.. and if I owuld have paid full price for them it would have been over $300!!! I only spent $60.  I just waited until the flowers went on sale and bought them at 50-90% off.  I am also DIYing my wedding.  Family and friends are helping too.  This is also making my wedding a lot more memorable.  Now it's not what I told someone I wanted, it's me making my wedding what I want with a lot cheaper price tag!! You can totally do it for less than $5000! Just get creative.

My daughter is getting married over the holidays.  Her fiance is from France and the time constraints dictate it be done quickly during a 3 month window.  (don't ask why, something about he visa).  Anyway, we are skimping and cutting prices at all corners.  She is even going to rent her wedding dress and the brides maid dresses.  The wedding is a celebration of a union, and wether the cerimony is at the biggest church in town or in the back yard of my home, what will we remember?  The beautiful flowers and dresses or the look on my daughters face when the preacher says, "I now pronounce you man and wife"  

I am a  professional wedding planner in Las Vegas.  I have long believed that a couple should never go into debt to get married.  It sets up a mountain to overcome before your honeymoon.  The Wedding industry is changing just like the economy.  Think about it, you can come to Las Vegas for the weekend with family and friends, get married, have a great time for less than staying at home....what would you do?

Another amazing this is that we specialized in quick, orderly, beautiful wedding in less than a few hours.....from flowers, video & pictures to gown & tux to cake and champagne or full  reception.  There is no other place in the world, I know of, that will do that.  It's Vegas, baby!!!!!!