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41 WAYS TO BE A BUDGET BRIDE

Stop having nightmares about the reams of money you'll blow up on your big day. Some smart-spend strategies help you rein in the bucks. If you have a budget that's tighter than J.Lo's jeans and still dream of the entire Hindi film song-and-dance routine wedding, fear not. This 41 tips are practical enough to let you get the glitz and glamour without busting the bank.

1. Send e-mail invites o a friends who won't mind being invited electronically. Save on printing and stamps.

2. Ditch the five-star hole -in-the-pocket venue. The lush green lawns of many clubs are rented out for wedding and work out much cheaper. Plus, you get a plush ambience for a fraction of the cost of a five star banquet hall.

3. Plan for a huge salad bar. And then cut back on the number of dishes at the actual buffet.

4. Ask venue managers for catering or decorating services at a discount.

5. Ask an arty friend to help you with your mandap design. Not only will it be cheaper, you'll also get a unique set.

6. Don't buy the pidhis. Ask the venue managers to provide them, or borrow from someone who has them. Also try hiring samagri items for the ceremony.

7. Get talented friend to compare your ceremonies. It's more personal.

8. Choose flowers that are in season and available local, rather than exotic out-of-season blooms.

9. Cut costs on decorations. Rope in enthusiastic young cousins and friends to doll up the venue with balloons, ribbons and streamers for pre-wedding bashes.

10. Use banana leaves, coconut shell candles and dry flowers to create an exotic ambience, cost-effectively.

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