Planning A Wedding On A Tight Budget 

You really wanted that lavish wedding day but money is tight and you don't really want to go abroad. 

Don't be embarrassed about not spending a fortune on one day - most people will understand, and if they don't, did you really want them at your wedding anyway? 

Plan an intimate affair involving immediate family only.  Book a room or a secluded table in  an exclusive restaurant and splash out on a sumptuous feast that you wouldn't normally be able to afford.  

Explain to friends that you really only wanted a small wedding but you are looking forward to celebrating with them at a later date. 

Ask a friend that you trust with a camera, if they would mind being your photographer for the day. Consider buying a good digital camera for quality photos. Digital photos can be adjusted if necessary and can look just as good as a professional photograph if processed in a quality photo-shop.  Do some test shots in advance of the day and  buy your own wedding album.

If you still want to celebrate with friends  hire a local church hall or banqueting suite in a hotel and organise an evening  buffet.  You can decorate the room yourself the night before with colour co-ordinating balloons, napkins etc and make the room look really special.  If you want to book a hotel say it is a family occasion when you enquire about the price as many hotels will add extras if you tell them it is a wedding.  Ask a friend to act as DJ. Tell everyone to bring along some Cd's with their name on the cover or make up your own compilation in advance.

Make your own invitations or buy standard invitations in your local stationery shop. There are lots of websites to help you design your own invitations and simple can look very elegant.