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Planning a gay wedding doesn't have to mean taking on a loan the size of a small nation. You will be tempted by all the shiny things on offer and may come under pressure from family and friends to do something showy for your big day. This is your day so you decide if you want your wedding on a budget.

The absolute cheapest way to get hitched is to go to the registry office together and then grab a couple of passer-byes to be your witnesses, then get them to take a photo on your mobile phone. You could ask a couple of friends, but then you will either have to bring sandwiches or take them to a burger bar.

Assuming that you want something a little less basic, let's see what we can do.

Firstly control your guest list, immediate family and closest friends only. You have to be ruthless as there is nothing so easy as a creeping guest list, where people just get added to it because if you invite her you have to invite him.

Once you know the numbers, you can plan the wedding reception venue. Small numbers may be accommodated at either yours or a friends house, or a village hall or community centre.

You can write your own wedding ceremony which the registrar should allow you to say before you sign the book. Religious themes are not allowed at a civil partnership ceremony.

For the ultimate in budgeting you will have to either make most of the wedding items yourself or get some friends to help you. Buy as much as you can from a warehouse or cash and carry which will be cheaper than high street stores. You can decorate a hall or room using material like tulle, it makes beautiful bows and can make even the plainest things festive, even for a gay wedding.

One good way of having a wedding on a budget is instead of wedding presents, you can ask your guests to bring food, it will be just as good as any caterers. You will need to put it on your wedding invitations and keep a list of who is bringing what so you have a variety.

Your wedding outfits will have to be planned carefully. Renting will probably be cheapest but if you want to buy, make sure it is something that you can use afterward. If you are looking for morning suits, take a trip to one of the old college towns like Cambridge or Oxford and look in the charity shops where the students that have just left, often leave them.

The transport doesn't have to be flashy, see if you have a friend with a nice car or you could get a self drive car.

Photographs are a must but a professional photographer is going to be expensive. If you don't know any serious amateurs you could contact a local college to see if there are photo students would be willing to come along to take some pictures. You may have to pay for the film and printing which is still pricey or they may use a digital camera which will be cheaper.

When ordering the cake or flowers, don't mention it is for a wedding as that may push the price up. You could just get three fruit cakes and decorate them yourself. Flowers could be bought from the market the day before if you think you are able to arrange them yourself.

Keep your wedding rings simple, a plain gold band is best. Look in pawnbrokers or second hand shops for real bargains or there is always ebay.

Having a honeymoon on a budget could be more of a problem than a wedding on a budget, unless you are both into camping. If you want to go abroad and can book well ahead or can go last minute you can save money. Look for all inclusive deals. Where ever you go, play the newlywed game because you can often get room upgrades, free bottles of wine all sorts of things.

If you can, buy yourself a really expensive looking frame to put your wedding picture in. That way you can look back at your budget gay wedding day with a smile.

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