How to Barter for Free Stuff For Your Wedding

Weddings can be so expensive! Just ask any bride who has tried to plan a fabulous wedding without going bankrupt. The creative bride, however, can get all sorts of free stuff for her wedding by going back to one of the earliest forms of commercial transactions: the barter system.

The way bartering works is that you find someone who has the goods or services you want and trade them something you have that is of equal value. The equal value part is key, because you will not be successful in finding trading partners if you want more than you are willing to give in return!

Services are the most commonly bartered thing for weddings. Let's say that you are a web designer - maybe you could create a new website for a wedding photographer in exchange for your wedding pictures. Or if your fiance is a professional painter, he could trade painting services for catering. As long as both sides are happy, it is a great way to get free stuff.

Wouldn't it be nice to get free wedding photography?

A couple of tips about bartering... first of all, get everything in writing. You should have the same contract for bartered services as you would if you were paying for them in cash. Also, be aware that if you are trading professional services, the value of what you receive is generally considered to be taxable income. Last but not least, be sure that you can keep up your end of the bargain so you get fabulous service in return.