The typical price of a wedding in the U.S. is over $33,000. ¹ In Canada, it's over $42,000. ² That's an expensive day by any standard.By contrast, that sum might be sufficient for a down payment on a first home or for a well-equipped, late-model minivan to shuttle around your 1.6 to 2 children -- assuming your family has an average amount of kids as a result of your newly wedded bliss. ³

Or perhaps worse, going into debt to pay for it? Here are a few suggestions on how you can produce your wedding day a special day to remember while still saving some of that money for other things (such as a minivan).

Invite Close Friends and Family
However, at a certain point during any large wedding, the bride or the groom -- or maybe both -- look round the well-dressed guests and ask themselves,"Who are all of these people, anyway?"

You can reduce the price of your wedding dramatically by simply trimming the guest list into a more manageable size. Ask yourself, "Do I really need to invite that kid who used to live next door to our family when I was 6 years old?" Small weddings are a growing trend, with lots of couples deciding to restrict the guest list to just close friends and family. That doesn't mean you have to have your wedding in the backyard while the neighbor's dog barks during your vows -- though you certainly can. It just means fewer people to provide refreshments for and perhaps a less palatial place to lease.

Budget According to Priorities
Your wedding is special and you want everything to be perfect. financial advice blog 've dreamed of this day your entire life, right? But by minding your wish list, there is a better chance to get just what you want for certain pieces of your wedding, by selecting less expensive -- but still acceptable -- choices for the things which might not matter for you so much. If it's all about the reception party atmosphere for you, try putting more of your budget toward entertainment and decorations and less toward the meals. Maybe you don't actually need a seven-course gourmet dinner with full ceremony when a selection of easier, buffet-style dishes provided by your favourite restaurant will do.

Incorporate More Wallet-Friendly Wedding Ideas
A composite of little changes on your plan can add up to big savings, allowing you to have a memorable wedding day and still have sufficient cash left over to enjoy your newfound bliss.
Take another day of the week. If you are considering getting married on a Saturday in June or September, be prepared to pay more to get a place than you would any other day of the week or time of the year. ⁴ Saturday is the most expensive day for married, and June and September are equally peak wedding season months. So if you can have your wedding , say, a Friday in April or November, it has the capability to trim the cost of the venue.

Rent a holiday house -- or even get married to a boat. The smaller area will prevent the guest list from growing out of control and the experience may be more memorable than in a larger, more average venue. Of course, both options demand holding the reception at the same place, saving money once again.

Watch the booze Expenses. There's no need to have a complete bar with every conceivable drink concoction and bow-tied bartenders that may perform tricks using the shakers. Odds are good that your guests will be just as happy with a smaller-yet-thoughtfully-chosen selection of wine and beer to select from.


Be thrifty.
If you really wish to cut prices, you can get creative about particular traditional"must-haves," ranging from skipping the flowers (odds are that nobody will even miss them) to purchasing a gently-used gown. Yes, people really do this. Online outlets like OnceWed.com provide amazing gowns for a fraction of the price of a brand new gown that you'll likely never wear again.

There is a happy medium between a royal marriage and drive-thru nuptials in Vegas. If you're looking for a memorable day that will not break the bank, try out some of the tips above to keep things elegant, trendy -- and within your budget.