Marriage

Wedding Planner

Another client confesses her wedding tale of charge and regret.

I must say that getting into trouble with credit cards can happen to anybody.

I was working toward a degree in elementary education. I had one or two credit cards that I would use when I really needed something. I didn't go overboard with them.

During my last semester in college "huge" changes were occurring in my life. The first change was that I was getting married and wanted a memorable wedding. My parents had offered to pay for some of the wedding costs and therefore we went "all out" on everything.

Unfortunately, my parents and I had a disagreement, and my fiancé and I decided to pay for everything ourselves. Because we had already planned everything (the church, the pictures, and the reception), there was no turning back and we were left with a pretty hefty bill. We paid for some of the bill with cash, but when it came time to pay for the reception hall and meals, I took out my credit card and the downslide began.

So here I was, student-teaching with no time for a job, and a huge wedding bill to go along with a growing student loan. The money I made was never enough to bring down my ever-increasing credit card bills. This went on for four or five months - I was completely lost and needed to do something about my situation. I began to search on the Internet for a way to decrease my monthly payments and that's when I discovered Consolidated Credit Counseling.

I will have my whopping bill of about $14,000 paid off in about three and a half years. I truly am grateful to Consolidated - this service has helped me financially as well as mentally. I no longer stress figuring out how to pay bills, which sure makes my life a whole lot easier.

Give Yourself Enough Time. Set a wedding date that will allow you and your family time to store up funds for wedding-related expenses.

More Work. If money isn't readily available, consider getting a second job to supplement the wedding budget. Or, simply cut the budget.

Set Limits. Invite 100 guests instead of 150. Set a limit first and then create a list that falls within those guidelines. For example, first cousins may be invited, but second cousins are not. Have two bridesmaids instead of ten. Serve three courses instead of five.

Do It Yourself. Enlist the creative talents of relatives and friends who can help you make your wedding gown, create floral arrangements or even bake your wedding cake for you. Coordinate the alcohol, make the favors, and address your own envelopes.

Loosen Up. The less formal the affair, the more affordable. Instead of a sit-down dinner, go for a casual brunch or barbecue. Get rental cars in lieu of limos.
Choose a morning or afternoon wedding. They're less expensive than evening affairs.

Pick And Choose. Indulge in a designer dress, but go barefoot. Ditch the hors d'oeuvres and spend your money on exquisite entrees. Serve a great cake and skip the dessert table.

Put It Off. Get silver wedding bands now and upgrade to platinum on your first anniversary.

Coordinate With Others. If another wedding is being held within a few hours of yours in the same location, perhaps you may be able to share some of the costs of flowers and decorations.

No Holidays. Holiday weddings are more expensive because you are competing for catering services, wedding and reception sites, D.J.'s, limousines, photographers and more.