Andy Hough

The following is a guest post.

One of the first things you realize when you become is engaged is that it can be quite expensive to plan a wedding. You want to save money where you can, and that means some careful planning. The good news is there are plenty of ways that a newly engaged couple can save money.

Here are eight things you can do to save money for and on the wedding:

1. Combine Expenses

Go through your expenses together, and decide what can be combined. This doesn’t mean that you have to combine bank accounts, but it is good practice for when you have to share expenses. If you can find a way to combine some of your expenses, such as phone service, netflix accounts, or insurance, you can save money. Family plans, offered by cell phone companies, tend to save customers lots of money through an umbrella account. Instead of paying for one person to have unlimited text, it’s two for one.

2. Make Dinner Together

Even if you aren’t living together yet, you can still make dinner together. This saves money, since going out to eat consistently can add up quickly, and it is a fun thing to accomplish as a team. Plan some meals, and then cook together. It can be much more enjoyable than going out.

3. Look for an “Alternative” Ring

There is no reason to get diamonds, just because it’s the traditional option. My sister-in-law has a sapphire engagement/wedding ring, and my ring has emeralds in the band, rather than diamonds. You can get a piece of jewelry that makes a unique statement when you consider pearl, topaz, emerald, sapphire, and ruby rings, instead of diamonds.

4. Go Out During the Afternoon

If you still like to go out on occasion, go during the afternoon. Matinée movies are cheaper than evening movies. Lunch at a restaurant costs less than dinner. Another bonus: You often see fewer crowds at lunch and a matinee.

5. Create “Green” Wedding Invitations

More and more people are sending email invitations to their weddings, and setting up RSVP websites. This is a great way to save money, and, better yet, you can position it as a green decision. You save money on printing, and you save the earth.

6. Wedding on a Weekday

The most important people in your lives will take time off work to come see you married. For the others…well, a smaller wedding means smaller costs. A week-day wedding usually means lower prices at the venue, as well as lower hotel rates and less concern about booking conflicts.

7. Wedding Contributions as Gifts

My mother’s friend did our wedding cake as our gift. So we didn’t have to pay for a beautiful, professional, and ultimately, expensive cake. Let it be known, tactfully, that you are happy for your talented friends and relatives to contribute in lieu of gifts. It will save you money, and get everyone involved in the celebration.

8. Order Food that is in Season

This can reinforce your “green” wedding preference, and it means less expensive food. Focus on items that are in season, or that are locally produced. You won’t have to pay for long-distance shipping of other items. This is a fairly simple way to save money.

In the end, with a little creativity, it is possible for a new engaged couple to save money on living expenses and on the wedding. Your wedding should be a celebration of your love, not a wake for your savings account.

Here is a breakdown of my income for February.

Online Income	$626.28
Interest	$22.77
Stock Dividends	$12.95
Mystery Shops	$117.20
Survey/Cashback	$47.53
Job	$124.40
Total	$951.13

My income was lower in February than I prefer although it is nice to see most of the income is alternative income and passive income.  It isn’t good to have a month where your expenses were higher than your income.  I’ll make more money than I spend this month because I will be receiving my medical study payment.  It isn’t surprising my income was down in February because I didn’t do much to make money.  I need to put some work into increasing my passive income and alternative income.