With the rising costs of weddings, and the scary statistic that they often add up to more than a year's tuition at an expensive college, many couples feel overwhelmed and frustrated. Wedding facilities boast the "must-haves", and everybody has a well-intentioned piece of advice. The bottom line, however, is that your wedding day should reflect you. You can have a mesmerizing and memorable affair without having to pay for it for the rest of your life.

With a little careful planning well in advance of your designated wedding day, you can create a low budget wedding filled with everything that is most important to you. A cheap wedding doesn't mean a less gratifying wedding, it simply reflects careful decision making.

Wedding season is in its peak from April through October. The rules of supply and demand are in play, and costs will be elevated during this period. By choosing a wedding date that is off-peak, all of the surrounding costs will be reduced. Additionally, Saturday night is the most expensive choice for your celebration. Friday or Sunday will be more economical. The following suggestions will provide more options and tips for staying within your low budget wedding requirements.

Location
A wedding at home (or at the home of a friend) will be far less expensive than a regal hall. Consider and price various locations. Consider beaches, parks, and even your place of worship. You will also save money by having your ceremony and reception at the same location.

Small Wedding
It's simple. Fewer people cost less money. A smaller wedding, made up of the people most special in your life, will provide an intimate and more affordable affair.

Bridal Gown
The bridal gown can cost thousands upon thousands of dollars. For a free alternative, consider borrowing a wedding dress! Is there an heirloom in the family? Did your friend get married in a beautiful gown that is now sitting in a closet? Brides pay exorbitant amounts for a dress they wear once, so if borrowing is a possibility, it is one worth considering!

Another option is to purchase a white prom dress; they are elegant, lovely, and a fraction of the cost of a bridal gown. Discount bridal outlets often have impressive savings if you are willing to purchase your dress off the rack. Online outlets also offer special savings. Other money saving tips include dress rentals, consignment shops, and homemade gowns.

Flowers
Select flowers that are "in-season". The savings will be tremendous. Skip the extra arrangements (you can always buy beautiful potted plants or flowers at a local supermarket), and keep your bouquets small.

Time of Day / Menu
Morning weddings are less expensive than evening and nighttime affairs. People tend to drink less alcohol earlier in the day, and if you are planning a brunch those foods will also be more economical. If you enjoy cooking, prepare your own food. Or, for a more intimate affair, maybe a pot-luck menu would provide that family feeling of warmth. Skip the mixed drinks. A bar tab will rise exponentially with happy guests. Consider champagne for toasting only and then change over to beer, wine, and soft drinks.

Professionals
Do you have talented friends? An amateur photographer? A seamstress? A chef? Getting by with a little help from your friends may be just the way to save thousands of dollars while allowing them to share in the intimacy of your day. With the ease of digital and automatic photography, fabulous photographs are not hard to come by. You may find that your wedding photographs are especially touching and your video captures the real you, because these reigns were handed over to those who know you best.

Music
With the ease of ipods and mp3 players, music is literally at our fingertips. For a real savings, create the perfect wedding mix and attach your player to a set of speakers. Have a friend with a beautiful singing voice? Use those talents to make your wedding richer.

Stationery
You might enjoy producing your own invitations with available software or clipart available through various online services. If you want to order your invitations, reply cards and thank-you cards, you will probably save money by ordering them all at the same time. Check paper thickness. Lighter paper will require less postage.

Planning a wedding on a budget can actually be a lot of fun. With a little imagination, you will not only have a more personalized and original day, but you will have one that is affordably rich, with all the elements most important to you.