This recent article from Salon.com highlights one area where Americans may feel guilty cutting back, even when they have to: weddings.

But, as the writer points out, getting married on the cheap doesn’t have to mean forfeiting a glorious day.

Step 1: Forget the Hype

Remember: we’re part of a culture that:

1. Spawned a show called “Bridezillas”, and
2. Has an average wedding cost of almost $30,000.

Something tells me there’s a connection. In order to plan for your big day, make sure you can let go of the myth of the perfectly coordinated wedding – it’s just not worth the debt you’d have to take on.

Step 2: Figure out What You Can Spend

Once you’re ready to hop on the wedding-budget train, get ready to crunch some numbers.

• Work as a team. This will be good practice for budgeting household expenses down the line, plus you’ll both have a say in major decisions.
• Decide what your priorities are. Willing to blow a few grand on a dress and skip the open bar? You know yourselves best, so plan to spend more where it will make you happy.
• Set a date. If you haven’t already chosen the day of your nuptials, you may want to consider your salary-to-savings ratio. Not the most romantic way to choose, but it may be more practical to tie the knot after you’ve saved some dough.

Step 3: Call in the Troops

The great thing about family and friends is that they want to help with your wedding because they love you and not because you’ll write them a massive check when everything’s over.

Figure out how to harness the creativity of your loved ones to save serious green. Bonus: you’ll probably end up making amazing connections as you collaborate on this once-in-a-lifetime project.

Send out the call for help. Let your loved ones know (in an email, letter, or phone call) that you’re planning a down-home wedding and need some help. Ask them if they’d like to contribute in any way. (If you have an idea about people’s potential contributions, consider sending a personalized note.)

Loosen the reins. Because you’re asking for serious favors, you’ll have to turn off your inner control-freak (and we all have one). If you think anyone you know would try to sabotage your plans, don’t invite that person to contribute.

Don’t think you can plan a wedding at home? Consider these money-saving tricks others have used:

• Have a green-thumbed relative grow and arrange flowers.
• Brew your own beer for the reception.
• Ask the best cook(s) in the family to whip up desserts or appetizers for your guests.
• Get a crafty sewer to stitch the perfect dress – or hit upscale consignment shops and visit a tailor to get a great find fitted.
• Place disposable cameras around the reception hall for guests to take pictures or hire a photography student from a local school.
• Skip the band and set up an MP3 player with rented speakers for dancing.

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