If you are planning to have a full wedding ceremony that includes bridesmaids and groomsmen, you can find the cost for outfitting your wedding party exorbitant if you don't plan carefully.

Remember, the more attendants you have, the more expensive it will be, because not only do you have to consider the bridesmaids dresses, you also have to budget for fittings, flowers, hair pieces and other accessories for each bridesmaid. One option is to ask your bridesmaids to forego a wedding gift in favor of purchasing their own dress.

Many couples are choosing to have less formal weddings these days, which can help cut the costs on the bridesmaid's gowns. The less formal the ceremony, the less money you will be required to spend. Perhaps that's why more couples are choosing to hold casual, outdoor ceremonies these days!

We've included plenty of helpful tips to help you budget effectively for your wedding gown and your wedding party's outfits.

Budget wedding dresses

• You can save money on your wedding dress by shopping off season, or looking for discontinued styles and end-of-season mark-downs.

• Outlet malls often include at least one bridal shop and a number of quality second-hand bridal shops are springing up everywhere. Remember that your wedding dress is only going to be worn once, so bear that in mind, particularly if you are looking at pre-owned wedding dresses. You can save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on beautiful wedding gowns that have been worn only once before.

• Another option is to hire your wedding gown and those of your bridesmaids. This can be a cheaper alternative, but you are obliged to take the dresses as is, and they are not custom fitted.

• Many brides also choose to make their own wedding dress, or have it made for them. Choosing to have your wedding outfits made ensures you will get something original and special and you can save hundreds of dollars. The other advantage is that your wedding dress will be personally fitted to your shape.

• If you are choosing a theme for your wedding, particularly if it's a casual beach or party theme, then your choices and the amount it is likely to cost will be greatly reduced.

Budget bridesmaid dresses

• As with your wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses can be found off season, in outlet malls, second-hand bridal shops or vintage shops.

• Because many couples are now opting for a more casual approach, your bridesmaids dresses can be adapted to suit the style of your wedding. This means that you can buy something straight off-the-rack in whatever style you fancy.

• A popular trend these days if you are having more than one attendant is for your bridesmaids to dress in the same color or tone, but in different styles of dress. This means they may already have something appropriate in their wardrobe that can be adapted to suit your wedding. Alternatively, you can pick the same style of dress in different colors - a fabulous look if the dress you want is on special and available in differing shades!

• If you are only having one attendant, which is the cheapest and most flexible option, the choice of bridesmaid dresses is limitless.

Budget Men's Wear