Cheap Date Ideas for Engaged Couples

Don’t let the pressures of planning a wedding put a damper on your relationship. Take time out for dates that don’t include three hours of wedding decisions. Here are some ideas.

• Wedding video party—Invite newlywed couples over to watch highlights from their wedding videos. Get ideas as couples share stories from their days.
• Day trip it—Take a Saturday to explore a nearby town. Pack a picnic and eat in a park after window-shopping along the main street.
• Do something neither of you have done before, an activity you’ve never tried but both think would be interesting. Visit the flea market or local tourist traps just for fun.
• Photograph each other. Nothing could be more romantic than capturing the beauty you see in your partner in a photograph. Go to a local park, gardens or downtown and snap away. Try to take a few of both of you together. You can use the photos later to add a personal touch to your wedding showers or reception.
• Look up special events in the newspaper like bridal fairs. I have mixed feelings about bridal fairs, though. My experience has been that those places are teeming with people who want to take your money. But I have heard of several couples who entered contests and actually won stuff — big stuff — from free tuxes to honeymoons. Just be prepared to get a mailbox full of junk mail from vendors up to a year after. At the very least, pick up a local wedding guidebook and check out coupons or discounts for services you’re already planning to use.

Other Cheap Date Ideas

Stress-Reducers:

• Hiking and nature walks
• Bike riding
• Exercising
• Educational/Cultural:
• Museums
• Historical sites
• The Zoo
• Factory tour
• Walking tours
• Public gardens

Social Animals:

• Pizza party
• Pot luck dinner
• Progressive dinner
• Fondu party
• Sundae party
• Cookout