In a recent report the cost of the average wedding was shown to have risen to a staggering $30,000 plus. This is a phenomenal investment and with many couples unable to rely on benevolent parents to tear out a blank cheque, what can be done to keep costs under control without sacrificing the wedding of your dreams?

When planning your big day, it is important to sit down and really work out what is important to YOU and set yourself a realistic budget. For most people the wedding day will be set a year or so after the initial engagement. This is great news as saving for the momentous occasion can be spread across the year and friends and family will almost certainly offer to chip in and bolster your spending pot along the way. The important thing here is to set some spending limits. The last thing you need is to start your new life with a debt hanging over your heads. All too often happy couples in a state of pre-marital bliss will sign up for everything that comes their way and it is only when the final bill thumps on the doormat that the swans and 15-piece orchestra are cast into grim perspective.

A memorable wedding day does not need to break the bank. Often it is the small touches that linger in the memory and a little creativity can pay dividends.

To give yourself the best start on the road to wedding success, construct a wish list of all the things you would like on your dream day, be creative, this list is for you. You should also think of all the people you would love to share this moment with and finalise a list of guests that absolutely must be there.You may wish to go back and give some extra thought to the Groom's drunken college buddies! Think long and hard and prioritise which items are non-negotiable, for some the dress is the event's crowning glory, for others it is the venue or entertainment that counts. Once you have this list however, you are ready to hit the phones and do your research. Get quotations for everything and never accept first price. Haggle. This is supposed to be fun!

When you are through tally up the costs and compare this with your budget to see where you stand. If you have money to spare you are doing remarkably well. For most however, there will be a financial gap and this is the first lesson in marital training. Compromise. Decide which items can be removed, downgraded or sourced elsewhere and retarget those savings to your priority list.

By demystifying the process and approaching each task methodically you will find that organising a great event soon becomes simple and straightforward. There is a reason for that, it really can be. Arm yourself with good information and you can plan a superb wedding whatever your budget.

What if you just don't have the time?

With so much to do, you may be tempted to call in the professionals. Armed with their lists of contacts and pre-packaged ideas, a wedding planner is a convenience for those short on time but their services come at a premium, around 15% of your total spend. What if I told you that there were thousands of planners out there who would love to help you and for nothing in return? This is not madness they are called wives! That's right, speak to people who have already been there and you can gain valuable unbiased referrals. Best of all, you won't pay commission on this advice, slashing the cost of your wedding by the planners' average charge of $2400. Incidentally this is roughly the same cost as another essential wedding element, your honeymoon!

The point is with a little effort and information you can save enough money to pay for the things that really count. If you are paying someone to organise your wedding it is a business transaction and they will never be as emotionally involved as you. It's a little like Christmas, you are going to spend a lot of cash over the coming months and all for one fantastic day, so why not enjoy the build up as much as the event. Be assured that when it is all over and the confetti has settled, you will look back with greater pride knowing it was you who created your magical day.