Did you know that the average wedding in America actually costs more than a car? According to studies, the average wedding costs $30,000. This is just simply too much money to spend for most of us. My husband and I had an amazing wedding and we did it on a very strict budget. Below, I’m going to give you some tips that will help you stretch your wedding budget as far as possible.

#1. Consider a Colored Dress

Everyone these days wears white dresses. When’s the last time you were at a wedding in which the bride didn’t come out in a white dress? I don’t know why white wedding dresses are all the rage, because they’re so typical, in my opinion. There are plenty of celebrities out there that have decided to break the mold and wear a colored dress, so why not give it a shot yourself?

If you go with something besides a white dress, you’ll no longer have to flip through magazines or go to a bridal shop and look at all of those expensive white dresses that are far too overpriced. Instead, you’ll be able to go to stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, etc… Also, with a colored dress, you won’t look like every other bride out there.

#2. Consider Your Venue

A lot of weddings take place at restaurants, hotels, lofts, etc… Sure, those are some great places to have a wedding, but why not break the mold and have your wedding somewhere else? Maybe consider having your wedding at a park, on the beach, etc… These places will be much cheaper and you may even score a location that’s tax deductible. I’ve even known some people that have their wedding at their own home.

#3. Save on Alcohol

A lot of people want to get the top shelf champagne and have it served at their wedding, but that’s not necessarily what the guests want. Instead, they’re there to have a good time. So, instead of paying for some top shelf champagne, you should serve beer, instead. Do this and you’ll have a lot of happy guests and you’ll save money.

#4. Have Your Friend Marry You

A man of religion or a state official is going to cost you around $1,500 if you want them to marry you.  So, why not have a friend do it; instead? It’s easy to become ordained online and your friend will likely marry you for free. I’ve known people that have gotten ordained just so they could marry some of their friends. This will make your wedding more personal and fun, too.

#5. Make Your Own Arrangements

Did you know that the average American pays out $2,069 just on flowers for their wedding? Consider making your own arrangements or delegating this task to a friend or family member. There are many unique ideas for creating a beautiful set-up for wedding receptions. You can start off by dressing your tables by buying table covers wholesale that would make a statement to instantly upgrade the look of your venue. This way, you’ll have some beautiful arrangements, but they won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Do you have any tips that would help someone stretch their grocery budget? If so, leave your tips as a comment below.