Not many people are aware that the wedding industry is worth almost 25.5 billion dollars every year and it is not surprising when the average cost of a wedding is between twenty to twenty five thousand dollars. However, it is possible to plan a cheap wedding if you cannot manage something that requires expensive stationery, photographers, caterers and dresses. All you need is few ideas to point you in the right direction and you can have a wedding to be proud of at a fraction of the cost.

Almost never considered but hardly ever for practical reasons are the costs associated with the wedding dress which is normally handmade but this doesn't have to be the case especially when you consider just how many brides sell their dress afterwards as they do not intend to wear it again. After all, if someone else wants to spend two to three thousand dollars on a wedding dress and only wear it once, why can't you make use of it for your wedding day at a greatly reduced cost or alternatively you could do like many men do and just hire an outstanding dress for the day.

The largest cost is the wedding reception but even here savings can be made although you would probably need to reduce the number of people who attend as the average is 189 and this is the area where the majority of your savings will take lace when you plan your cheap wedding. You can reduce the number of people attending by not inviting people who are the very periphery of your life and that can include distant relatives and when it comes to the meal, instead a four course silver service, why not have a cold or hot buffet. Other reductions can be made in where the wedding reception is held which can easily be in a friend's house or a local club and to save money on drink, why not only supply beer, wine, soft drinks and bottled water.

The obvious choice is to shop around for the best rates, but consider hiring a photographer for the ceremony only and ask a family member or friend to take snap photos of the reception. Some people save money by disposing of the professional photographer completely by using a friend or relation.

Other areas where you can be assured of saving money for your cheap wedding is on things like wedding invitations and place settings for example which can easily be produced to a very high standard on a home computer. Many people are now competent enough to produce near professional quality work juts using computer programs and a good printer and paper.

Cost cutting measures can also be found in the area of flowers which can be bout in large quantities fro the wholesalers or even from your own garden if you have the capacity. If you have one of your friends make the wedding cake and reduce the number of tiers and buy your own wedding favors (candy is best) then you will save money here as well. Your cheap wedding planning should also include asking a friend if their car can be used to take you to the ceremony so saving more money which you should be able to put towards something that you need for your home.