First, figure out how much money you have at your disposal. Then, budget a certain amount for each aspect of your wedding: ceremony, reception, honeymoon etc. Count on food and beverages -- generally calculated per person -- to take up a sizable chunk of your total funds.

But don't worry -- you can still throw a huge party without breaking the bank. For instance, you can cut costs by having your reception in the afternoon instead of in the evening, or on a weekday instead of on Friday night or the weekend. Or for something completely different, consider a morning ceremony followed by a sumptuous brunch!

If you decide to stick with tradition, you may have to review your total number of guests. After all, the fewer the guests, the more memorable the event for everyone involved.

Who pays what?

Including your family in the planning stages of your wedding may force you to make certain concessions. If that's the case, then perhaps they would like to contribute financialy as well?

Traditionally, it was up to the bride's family to finance most of the
wedding (ceremony, reception, invitations, wedding dress, photographs and video, flowers, musicians and limousine for the wedding party). The groom's family only had to take care of the rehearsal dinner, while the groom would cover the marriage contract, rings, honeymoon, bride's bouquet, the mothers' dresses, the fathers' boutonnieres and the fee for the peron officiating at the ceremony.

Nowadays, however, the rules have relaxed quite a bit. Modern couples are more independent and therefore more likely to manage their own weddings. In that case, the prospective bride and groom could decide to contribute a third of the total expenses, while each of the two families picks up the tab for the rest.

The families could give you the money directly, or go out and hire their own photographer or videographer, find a florist, rent a hall -- whatever services you need to round out your wedding.