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Your wedding day will be one of the most memorable days of your life. To keep the memories pleasant and beautiful, you’ll want to do whatever you can to avoid going into debt when planning a wedding. In the unfortunate event of one or both spouses being laid off in a bad economy, wedding debt can darken your pleasant memories and cause unnecessary stress. Here are a few strategies for avoiding wedding debt.

1. Clarify the absolute must-haves. Speak with your spouse-to-be about the most important elements of your wedding. You’ll want to please yourself and your partner as well as the people who are important in your life. However, throwing an extravagant wedding just because extended relatives expect you to may be a decision you’ll later regret.

2. Find an affordable wedding location. You don’t want to sacrifice too much. However, with a bit of creativity you may find a private building, a community center or a park by a lake that may make a beautiful and affordable wedding spot.

3. Lower costs for photos and videos. Wedding photos and a professionally done video may be an absolute must for you. In this case, visit photography schools and ask to speak to the best students. Ask the students to show you their work. Hiring student photographers and videographers can potentially save you money.

4. Visit a local bakery. When it’s time to select a wedding cake, consult with a local bakery. You may be able to negotiate a deal for a wedding cake that tastes and looks just as good as a higher priced variety.