Just because you’re strapped for cash, doesn’t mean you can’t have a wedding day filled with style and class. With a little creativity your day will have everyone talking for years to come.

To get you started thinking about ways to save without sacrificing style, here are some great tips:

Create a wedding journal. When planning your wedding, the best place to start is by creating a wedding journal. This can be in a three ring binder, a spiral notebook or even a file folder. The key is to use it as one location where you will keep all of the information about your upcoming wedding. From a budgeting standpoint, this can be an invaluable tool if you use it properly. It will help you keep track of all your receipts and be a place to make note of upcoming sales or coupons. It will also remind you of everything you need to do so nothing is left to the last minute. Last minute purchases are usually expensive purchases!

Start by budgeting the must have items. Every couple has different priorities. Maybe your heart is set on a one of a kind silk dress or a 5-tier wedding cake. Whatever is most important to you should be budgeted for first. After all, it’s your day and you should have the things that make it special for you. Once you have an accurate idea of how much these “must haves” will cost, determine what else you will need. A general list includes:

a. A venue for both the ceremony and the reception.
b. Attire for the bride and the groom (including accessories).
c. A cake.
d. Food and/or drinks.
e. The wedding officiant.
f. A marriage license.
g. Rings.
h. Gifts for the attendants.

Keep track of ALL expenses. Since the average engagement is around 12 months long, that’s a lot of time to be buying items “as you see them”. A big mistake budget conscious couples make is to not keep track of exactly how much they’ve spent. Every time you purchase something write it down in your wedding journal. Otherwise you run the risk of eating up your entire budget on fun accessories long before you even get to the big day.

Educate yourself on what things cost. Before you purchase anything, shop around to see what the going rate is. Unless you know what several different places are charging, you have no way of knowing if what you plan on spending is reasonable. Doing this can also give you bargaining power.

As the old saying goes “today is the first day of the rest of your life”. When planning your wedding, don’t lose site of the fact that this is the beginning of your new life as husband and wife.

No matter how much you spend, your day will be one of the most memorable of your life. So focus on creating a unique day that celebrates your love for one another and the life you’re creating together.

Enjoy and have fun!

When times are tight, it doesn't mean you need to settle for anything less than extravagant. (And you definitely don't need to elope to Vegas.) You can have a beautiful wedding that will be the envy of friends and family. And NO ONE has to know that you didn't pay near as much as most do. Don't settle. Be creative. And learn how to do both with "Shoestring Wedding - Learn how to make your big day gorgeous even if you're on a tight budget."

"See How Easily You Can Throw The Wedding Of Your Dreams On A Shoe String Budget" All it takes is a little thought. A little creativity. And solid planning to pull off a wedding that will have your friends and family weeping tears of joy.

If creativity and planning haven't been your strong points in the past. Or if you've never planned a wedding before. Now you have a chance to get all your questions answered. Now you have a guide that will walk you through the whole process. So nothing is forgotten and your day plays out flawlessly.