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Budgeting for your WeddingThere’s no doubt about it; when you sit down and do the maths, weddings are an expensive business. The average Irish wedding now comes in at a whopping €30,000 but if you’re shrewd there are ways of slashing costs…

There is an old saying, "if you watch the pennies the pounds will look after themselves". When it comes to budgeting (and more importantly coming in ON budget) this motto should be your mantra, especial during a recession!

Whatever situation your finances are in, it's essential that you sit down and work out what money you have to spend before you book a thing.

Almost every girl has a dream of what her ideal wedding day would be like - those who say they don't are probably just aren't brave enough to admit it. With this in mind, heck knows that it can be difficult to admit that you can't afford something but the last thing anyone wants is to be starting off married life in financial strife.

So here's some tips on how to beat the credit crunch and look after those pennies and cents and still create that extra special day you will remember forever.

THE RECEPTION
There are no rule which state you have to have your wedding reception in a hotel, a five-course meal at your reception, lay on a champagne toast for all your guests, provide canopies on arrival or a cake with three tiers!

With a little bit of imagination you can not only dramatically reduce your costs but throw a fabulous wedding that your guests will remember for years to come.

If your modest budget won't stretch to a sumptuous sit down meal for 140 people at the five star hotel down the road then you need to weigh up what matters to you most. Is your heart set on that local hotel and great food, even if that means inviting less guests, or would you rather sacrifice your venue in favour of sharing your perfect day with those who you love the most?

Consider holding your reception in your favourite local restaurant, in a charming country mansion or (space permitting) even setting up a marquee in the grounds of your home.

THE ENTERTAINMENT
For some people music is a crucial component of their wedding plans, for others it's simply not that important. If you fall in the latter category then why not consider scrapping the traditional wedding band or DJ all together in favour of a cheaper alternative altogether - your IPOD! Load it up with you and your fiancés favourite tunes and simply plug it into speakers.

If you have your heart set on a DJ or wedding band then make sure you do your homework. Call round and get quotes before you book. If your budget is limited then you may find that a DJ is a better option as they are more likely to cater for a wide range of musical tastes - you should also be able to negotiate a good rate for them to play for a number of hours.

If you are really not sure of what to do, use your contacts. Ask friends, family and work colleagues if they can recommend anyone.

THE WEDDING ATTIRE
The cost of kitting yourself out in that wedding gown you have been sketching on scraps of paper since you were a tot can seem astronomical but it needn't be.

The truth is that while there are plenty of dresses out there which would make your bank manager choke on his morning coffee, there is a wealth of stunning dresses also available to buy at the fraction of the cost.

In recent years, a number of high street retailers have brought out wedding lines. Asda, BHS, Debenhams, Monsoon, Evans and Coast are just a few well know names who have got in on the act.

Many of these stores also offer choice for other members of the bridal party as well, such as mother of the bride and the bridesmaids - the likes of Debenhams and Next also offer great value suits for the groom and his men.

Buying dresses from online shops such as e-bay may sound risky but if you know what you are after and ask the right questions you can pick up fabulous items at a fraction of the cost you might expect to pay in a specialist boutique. Online you can also pick up great deals on smaller items such as your shoes, hair accessories and vintage jewellery.

THE LITTLE THINGS
When it comes to the details there are lots of cost cutting measures you can employ. Rather than spend hundreds and hundreds of pounds on stationery, a cake, wedding cars and favours for your guests, employ a little bit of imagination and start shedding pounds of your budget.

For example, if an elaborate cake isn't quite to your thing then why not opt for a tower of iced fairy buns (why not try making these yourself if you are halfway handy in the kitchen?) or buy a pre-iced cake from the high street. Marks and Spencer has some lovely plain iced cakes which look fabulous decorated with fresh flowers.

Why not look into borrowing a car - do any of your friends, neighbours or family have a flash motor you could lend for a few hours or why not consider putting your creative talents to the test and make your own stationery or favours?

STRIKING A DEAL
Sit down with your fiancé and talk about what resources you have at your disposal. Call in favours and don't feel shy about asking for help. Never be afraid to do a little bit of negotiation....after all doesn't everyone love a bargain? If you don't ask, you won't get. It sounds obvious but positive results when it comes to bartering usually depend on how you approach the subject; if you are charming and calm you are much more likely to be successful than if you tackle the issue with aggression.