By MySpendingPlan.com Editorial Staff

The average cost of a wedding in the U.S. now stands at about $18,000 to $20,000!  With the rising costs of weddings, it is no wonder that wedding planning on a budget seems practically impossible.  Below are some wedding planning tips and ideas that will allow you to have a great wedding without going bankrupt.

The Wedding Reception:

• Instead of having the reception at the country club or an expensive marriage hall, why not have it at home?  Perhaps you can host the wedding reception at a friend’s place or with a member of your family - someone who has the required space.
• Try a public place such as the beach or a public garden.  You may have to get permission to use these places, but if you do, the venue may very well be available for free, or at least a reasonable cost.
• Host a lunch reception instead of one at dinner time.
• Whatever venue you decide for the reception, make sure to book it several months in advance so that you don’t have to pay higher charges later.

Wedding Flowers:

Flowers are a considerable wedding expense and can form a major part of your wedding budget.  Here are some ideas that will allow you to have all the flowers that you want without paying through the nose.

• Stick with regular flowers such as daisies, lilies, sunflowers, etc. (these look very pretty too!) and avoid more exotic ones, such as orchids.
• Choose wedding flowers that are in season as opposed to those that are not.
• Potted plants make a great flower centerpiece at the wedding reception and can double up as wedding favors too.
• Instead of having large floral centerpieces at every table, place a crystal bowl filled with rose petals and water at every table. These make great centerpieces and the fragrance is great.
• Enquire if your reception venue is scheduled to host another party on the same day.  If so, you may be able to share the wedding flower costs with the people having the other reception.
• Use a single rose as a corsage (very chic and elegant) and make your own wedding floral bouquet.

Online wedding planners such as floral checklists can be very useful during budget wedding planning.

The Wedding Cake:

• Bake your own cake (can be done well in advance) or have a friend do it for you.
• Order two wedding cakes - a small one with all the frills that is cut in front of everyone, and another sheet cake (much cheaper) to serve your guests.
• Have other desserts at the wedding reception, which are less expensive than the wedding cake.

Wedding Dresses:

The wedding gown is perhaps the most important aspect of the wedding for the bride (well, maybe after the groom!), but unfortunately can end up costing a lot.  But with these ideas, it may just not:

• Wear the same wedding gown that was worn by your mother or grandmother at their wedding.  In addition to saving you a great deal of money, these wedding gowns can look extremely unique and beautiful.
• Browse through wedding books and pick a design that you like best.  You can then sew your own wedding gown or have it done for you.
• Opt for a second hand wedding dress instead of a new one.  The second hand ones are often elegant and will have been worn only once.  Designer consignment shops are a good way to find these.
• Most big designers and brands have their year end sales where you can get designer wedding gowns for a fraction of their original price.  Find out when these sales are in your area, or get listed on the mailing lists of your favorite boutiques.

It is very easy to overshoot your budget in the quest for the perfect wedding dresses. Thus, to ensure that you stick to your budget, make use of an online wedding planner.