That is twice as much as a down payment on a home for most people. Is the cost of planning your wedding starting to get you down? Keep your chin up! Here are some easy ways to keep those costs in line and still plan the wedding that is perfect for you.

That can not be repeated enough. The tighter your budget is, the more flexible you have to be. Perhaps that SUV Limo can be left out in exchange for a more sensible town car with a driver?

Just because it's a wedding, does not automatically mean everything is more expensive. However it does mean that everything must be 100% perfect and that the margin for error is very, very low. A good vendor will charge according to experience, value and expertise they can offer you - especially since you only get one day... Just one day... to get it right the first time. That is a lot of pressure on a business owner, not to mention a bride.

There is no room for negotiation on this one. Your guest list controls how much you will spend in the long run. At $50.00 a plate, you may want to reconsider inviting the long lost acquaintance of Aunt Maggie. Ask yourself how well you know each guest you consider. Your day will be intimately special - therefore you should surround yourself with people you are the closest to.

When used correctly and followed step by step, this process works like a charm. Ok so here's how this goes:

1. Make a list of everyone you want to invite.

2. Have your fiancé do the same.

3. Contact your parents and your fiancé's parents to find out how many guests they want to invite (and pay for - but that is a whole other topic ;-)

4. Break the lists into categories A, B, and C. The A list consists of close friends and immediate family members. The B list should consist of distant family and friends. The C list might include those you know but have not seen in a long time and even co-workers whom you do not have a personal relationship with.
5. Send your first round of invitations to everyone on you're A list. As you start getting your regrets back in the mail, cross those names off your A list and send a new invitation to someone from your B list.

6. Repeat this process until you have a completed guest list.
7. Mail everyone on your C list an announcement only.

Viola! You have a tight guest list filled with people whom you are the closest to and you managed to achieve this respectfully and while keeping within your budget comfort zone.

Whether you are a naturally organized person or not, a good wedding planner/organizer will be invaluable to you during this time. This will enable you to keep all of your receipts sorted by category and tucked safely in one spot. You will also be able to your design ideas and samples, organize your gift list and thank you notes and even receive hints and tips on hiring your wedding vendors. Staying organized and doing your wedding research can save you a LOT of money in the long run.

Being a budget bride does not mean you shouldn't hire a wedding coordinator. The exact opposite is true: If you are on a budget then you can't afford NOT to hire a wedding coordinator! They know the nuts and bolts of planning a wedding. They have worked with almost every budget there is and they have the professional experience it takes to see to it that you get the absolute best return on your investment.

As with any wedding vendor, make sure you hire a professional in your area with a ton of wedding planning experience. You can find one here:

Sticking with a budget does not mean you can't have a beautiful wedding. In fact some of the most beautiful weddings I have seen were designed on a dime. Again, flexibility is the key.