What follows this exhilarating moment is never what one expects–stress. Luckily, there is an unparalleled remedy for preparing the perfect wedding ceremony. Even better, it can all be achieved for under $500!

First thing first– finding the perfect dress.

It’s easy to cringe at the idea of borrowing a wedding dress, but many dress shops offer rent deals for brides. Unless you plan to hand your dress down, the garment will most likely only be worn once, so renting one is not a bad idea. It also saves storage space for other keepsakes through the years.

If renting is not your style, try visiting a thrift shop. They have bargain dresses in decent condition that won’t break the bank. They can even be upcycled with personal touches.

An alternative ring solution is buying less expensive ones for the wedding and buying new and expensive ones to present to each other on an anniversary. This will prevent the stress of purchasing a ring insurance and choosing the right one until after the wedding.

Staying local eliminates the need for friends and family to splurge on travel costs, so consider staying close to home. Your loved ones will thank you. If renting a banquet hall isn’t in the budget, check out a local forest preserve. It’s easy to dress up the outdoors with a few fluorescent lights or lanterns to create the perfect wedding backdrop. You can also rent a pavilion at most parks for both the ceremony and the reception afterward.

Time to decorate! I am a firm believer that DIY is the way to go when it comes to decorating. There are so many ideas on the web and Pinterest; all it takes is a creative hand and some inspiration. I suggest saving glass jars, bottles, tissue paper and anything else that could be upcycled prior to the ceremony. You will be surprised at how many home goods can be remade into elegant trinkets and you’ll save big bucks on table furnishings, centerpieces and wall adornments.

With a dress and decorations in check, it’s time to focus on the guest list. This is a decision that should be made between you and your significant other and should be kept to the minimum. Think of it this way; the more guests invited, the more expensive the occasion becomes. Bridesmaid dresses, dinner costs, and space rental rates add up quickly, so the fewer people in attendance, the better.

A party isn’t a party if there isn’t food, so go big or go home with the dinner arrangements. But, a dinner for fifty doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Instead, have guests bring their favorite dish instead of a present. They’ll understand the request, especially if you are a young couple since most of your friends will also be fresh out of school.

Are you worried about entertaining guests? Well, fret no more. Invite them to showcase their talents with musical performances throughout the evening. You can also ask each guest to submit their favorite song when they RSVP and make a soundtrack for the evening that compiles their favorite songs.

It is just as important to remember that while this may be your special day, it is melancholy for both parents of the bride and groom. It is likely the last day that you will spend under their wings. Antioch Gymnastics coach Angelica Campese shared her insight on pre-wedding reminders.

“Hug your daddy a little bigger today and hold him extra tight because when he walks you down that aisle, it’s going to be harder on him then you think,” Campese said. “We always think of this day as taking that next step with our husbands and starting our own families, but…it’s a very special day for them as well; they will need those extra hugs and I love you’s as they give their daughter away.”

Senior Alexis Miramon’s father was married this past weekend. She also shared her wisdom towards her new step-mother Brenda Stoll-Miramon.

“If you’re getting married to somebody who already has kids, then I would say to someone like Brenda, that even though my mom isn’t nice to her, I love her,” Miramon said.

As a young bride-to-be, it can be hard to cough up money to make your dream wedding happen, but these ideas are sure to keep a few dimes in the piggy bank. Best wishes to you and your significant other during this exciting time in your lives and remember that the best gift a person can give is love. Enjoy this special moment and all of its ups and downs.

For more information and advice on your upcoming wedding, visit www.hitched.co.uk.

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Alexis Miramon