Budget Weddings For Dummies

Introduction 1

Part I: Coming Up with a Game Plan 7

Chapter 1: Bringing Your Wedding Dream to Life 9

Chapter 2: Working with a Wedding Budget 19

Chapter 3: Deciding When to Get Married and Organizing Your Timeline 35

Part II: Planning the Ceremony 51

Chapter 4: Deciding Where to Get Married 53

Chapter 5: Minimizing Wedding Party Costs 69

Chapter 6: Dressing for Your Big Day 81

Chapter 7: Hammering Out the Ceremony Details 97

Chapter 8: Picking Flowers (Or Fun Alternatives) 109

Chapter 9: Capturing It for Posterity: Photography and Videography 125

Chapter 10: Putting It in Print: Invitations, Programs, and Miscellany 143

Part III: Celebrating with Your Guests 155

Chapter 11: Selecting the Reception Site 157

Chapter 12: Feeding the Hordes 167

Chapter 13: Arranging Entertainment and Preparing the Venue  189

Chapter 14: Making the Most of Prewedding and Postwedding Events 205

Chapter 15: Honeymooning in Style — and in the Black 213

Part IV: The Part of Tens 225

Chapter 16: Ten Ways to Get the Most for Your Wedding Dollar 227

Chapter 17: Ten Inexpensive Wedding Favors 233

Chapter 18: Ten Traditions to Reconsider When You’re on a Budget 239

Part V: Appendixes 245

Appendix A: Your Planning Calendar 247

Appendix B: Price Comparison Worksheets 257

Appendix C: Your Wedding Checklist 267

Appendix D: Your Wedding Budget 275

Index 283