Every girl dreams of a fairy tale wedding. The glorious white dress, the flowers, the music, the ring, and walking down the aisle towards the love of your life.

It’s beautiful. It’s exciting. And it can be more than just a dream.

While it’s true that weddings generally come with an expensive price tag, you can have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank or getting up to your ears in debt. Let me count the ways.

Smart Planning

By taking the time to plan and research, it’s amazing how much money you can save down the line. Would you go to an interview for your dream job without preparation? Would you do an important presentation at work without getting ready? Of course not!

This is your dream wedding, we’re talking about! So yes, planning and research is essential. 

Prepare a wedding list. Determine the budget you’re willing to spend and do your best to stay as close to it was possible. You might end up spending a little more, but if you try to stay as close to your budget as possible, you won’t go far over.

This also means that you will need enough time. The less time you have to prepare, the more likely you are to spend more money than you intended. Ergo, time is your best friend.

Seek Help

You don’t have to do it alone. Solicit the help of friends, family members and especially, your partner. Distribute the tasks at hand, but make sure they get your final approval prior to finalizing anything. Ensure that every one in your planning circle understands your vision and goals.

Establish Your Non-Negotiables

There are numerous details to consider when planning a wedding. There is a large number of major decisions to be made, as well as numerous minor choices that must also be made. Early on, identify which items you feel are hugely important to you and your would-be spouse–things that you do not want to compromise on. Is it the dress? The venue? The rings?

For each non-negotiable item, there may be plenty of less important items that you’d be willing to compromise on. For instance, you may want to make sure that you serve good food during the reception, but would be willing to send out digital invitations instead to save on printed invitations. 

Find the Best Deal

When it comes to obtaining a variety of wedding services, don’t forget to negotiate to get the best out of your money, without necessarily making huge sacrifices. Survey at least three suppliers or service providers for each item or service you need. Consider what is being offered with the rate. Take note that cheaper does not necessarily mean better. A small price difference might mean an important add-on that will make a huge difference. Make smart decisions, rather than employing penny pinching methods.

Get Creative

I found that there could be creative solutions to pricey challenges. When something is too expensive (maybe a bit more than your budget), try to come up with ideas and unconventional means that would allow you to still obtain your intended goal, though maybe not exactly the same way you first thought you would do it. Do some research and get inspiration from the experiences of others!

Consider Going Small

We adore intimate weddings because they give us all the feels. Imagine having a wedding where you share a personal relationship every person who attended it? Isn’t that way better than a huge gathering of people, half of them you barely know or even like? Wouldn’t you want your wedding to have that feeling of intimacy and warmth? 

Smaller weddings have a unique charm that is magical. You can personally engage with your guests and create unforgettable memories. Many times, beautiful things come in intimate packages!

Capture Memories

10, 20 years from your wedding day, what would you remember? 

You’ve already trodden the uncommon path by having an intimate wedding, so your guests will most probably remember the experience. But what would you want to remember? Could it be the look in you and your loved one’s eyes as you recite your vows? Your first kiss as a married couple? The tears in your partner’s eyes as they watched you walk down the aisle? 

These are special memories that happen quickly. Blink-and-you’ll-miss moments that if not captured, you might forget years later. 

Make sure you capture these moments with hiring a good photographer. While special memories stay in our hearts, life’s challenges can sometimes make us forget. We need to be reminded. 

More than the one day wedding event, keep in mind that your wedding is the beginning of a new life for you and your spouse. Don’t get overwhelmed or overtaken by all the preparations and remember that at the end of it all, your wedding is a celebration of your love. 

And that in itself, is magical.