Saving for your dream wedding

The Real Weddings team know how expensive a wedding can be, so we spoke to the team at SmartyPig Australia to bring you some tips on how to save for your dream wedding.

Did you know the average Australian wedding costs around $38,000? When you consider that couples are generally engaged for about 11 months, that's a lot of cash to get together in a rather short amount of time. With this in mind, we've composed a list of eight ways to find some extra money to put toward your big day (and that delicious honeymoon you've been dreaming of). 

Sell your unwanted stuff online.

Here's a fact you may not have known. According to Kate Perry at news.com.au, the average Australian woman has around $725 worth of unwanted clothes just sitting in her wardrobe. And if that doesn't get your heart racing, the mind ticking and the dollar signs flashing then how about this: eBay sells a women's dress every 18 seconds, a pair of women's jeans every 18 seconds and a pair of shoes every 3 seconds. But don't forget all the other things in your house too! Take a look around the kitchen, study or garage and you'll soon realise, there really is money to be made in selling second-hand goods online and a potential market of literally millions of customers out there just waiting to buy. So grab your digital camera and get selling! 

Have a garage sale. 

There are those of us, of course, who prefer to sell the old fashioned way at a garage sale. So if you're keen to keep it simple and local, the garage sale could be the way to go. There are some basic tips and rules to follow to get the most out of your sale, like checking with your local council (just in case you need a permit), promoting your sale, telling your neighbours, and being mindful of security. But first and foremost, get organised. If you're looking for a quick "how to" guide, check out www.streetgaragesales.com.

Get a second job.  

Not only will a second job give you some extra pocket money, it can be the opportunity for you to try a different profession or explore an interest. Love fashion? Consider retail. Reading your thing? Look into a weekend job at a bookstore. Alternatively, if you have a marketable skill perhaps you could do some freelance work. Take a look at sites like elance.com, odesk.com and ifreelance.com. If you keep to your current career area, you can even add these extra jobs on the side to your resume. One word of caution though, make sure you check out the tax implications of taking on a second job first and if in doubt, seek professional financial advice.

Start your own business on the side. 

Do you have a hobby or passion that you dream of turning into a business? Whether it's baking cupcakes, making baby clothes or mowing lawns, running your own business can give you freedom and flexibility to be your own boss, work from home and choose your work hours.  As a starting point, visit the Australian Government's site on how to start your own business at www.jobaccess.gov.au.

Make your house earn its keep. 

Have you ever thought about tapping into your home to make some extra money?  If you've got a spare room (and a spare bed), maybe you could take on a boarder? If you take on an international student, you might even start picking up another language. Again, just make sure you understand any tax implications first. Alternatively, could your home feature on TV or in a movie?  Location scouts are always on the lookout for that perfect setting, so why couldn't it be your home? Remember, locations can be everything from mundane to spectacular so don't rule it out immediately. Check out Location Scouts Australia for more detail on how your home could feature in the latest commercial, TV show or feature film.

Sell yourself. 

While we're on the topic of all things film and TV, perhaps you could consider becoming an extra.  You don't have to look like Angelina or Brad to get a gig on TV - your 15 minutes (or seconds) of fame might just come from being a face in the crowd, a shopper in the supermarket or walking across the street.   People of all ages, shapes and sizes and from all walks of life can potentially find work in local productions so why not you?  While you may not command Julia Roberts' fee, it's all extra cash and you just never know who you might meet on set.  To get the ball rolling, head to Google to find your nearest Talent Management Agency!

Become a Mystery Shopper.

Ever thought about the fact that someone will pay you for shopping or dining out?  Many retailers and service organisations employ mystery shoppers to test the quality of their customer service and products.  All you need to do in return is write up a detailed report of your visit.  

Be brave and ask for a pay rise.  

It's tough we know, but if you think you deserve it - and have the information and data to back it up - why not give it a go?  Just make sure you have a clear idea of what you're asking for,  be prepared to articulate the value you bring to the company and catch your boss at a good time (and hopefully in a good mood!). If you get turned down though, don't despair - ask what you'd need to do for the answer to be yes. More qualifications? An increase in responsibilities? Whatever it is, come to an agreement that helps you define the path to success.

Whichever way you look at it, there are opportunities out there to make extra money and pay for your dream wedding in cash - you just need to be a little creative and prepared to broaden your horizons. Good luck!