There are many ways to save big on your wedding. The key is to try to do as much on your own as possible, and enlist the help of your friends! Here is a list of helpful hints to get started.
Reception Venue
Have a reception in someone's backyard.
Find a site that does not specialize in weddings. They may offer more reasonable prices.
If you are getting married in a church, consider having your wedding at the church hall.
Consider the day of week you are getting married; many sites will charge less for a Friday or Sunday wedding than a Saturday wedding.
Food
Instead of using a caterer, serve only light appetizers you or others can make.
If you have a bulk foods store in town, you can buy food in bulk to serve.
Local restaurants may cater your reception for a good price.
Pasta and chicken plates are less expensive than steak or seafood.
Avoid an open bar, or find a site where you can bring in your own beverages to serve.
Cake
Get a cake at your local grocer instead of a bakery. They charge by the size, not by the slice!
Consider making your cake or having a close friend make one. Local bakeries have decorating courses available.
If you want a professionally decorated wedding cake, just have the baker make the section you will cut at the reception, and have an undecorated sheet cake in the back for your guests.
Consider eliminating the wedding cake and instead having a dessert table with less expensive sweets.
Wedding Gown
Shop at consignment stores where you can buy previously used bridal gowns. They are all in great condition, but for a fraction of the original price.
Shop online auctions for new and used wedding gowns.
Look in the formal dress sections at a department or prom store.
At bridal stores, look at white bridesmaids dresses rather than the wedding gowns.
Wedding Accessories
Rent, rather than buy, the wedding decorations.
Purchase your accessories on online auctions.
Consider making many things yourself, such as decorations, the card box, and guest book.
Make your and your attendant¡¦s jewelry and make the attendant's jewelry their gifts.
Favors
Consider doing away with wedding favors.
Buy candy from a bulk foods store and wrap them in tulle circles for an inexpensive gift.
Vendors
Get a photographer to do your ceremony only to save on labor time.
Hire a photography student or part-time photographer.
Put disposable cameras on the reception tables with a note to let your guests know to take pictures.
Rather than hiring a videographer, have a family member videotape the wedding.
Hire a DJ instead of a band.
To avoid hiring a DJ, burn a CD of songs and ask a friend to spin the discs for your wedding and reception as a wedding gift for you.
Skip hiring a limo driver. Ask your wedding attendants to dress up your car with tulle and flags, and have your best man drive you to the wedding.
Flowers
Make your own silk flower bouquets.
If you want to go with real flowers, try a grocery store with a live flower department--they are generally cheaper than florists
For your bridal bouquet, downsize by asking for another bridemaid's bouquet in a different color scheme of your choice.
Buy a few loose flowers (e.g., lilies, roses, or calla lilies) and tie a pretty ribbon around the stem.
Consider doing away with table centerpieces. Otherwise, for an inexpensive touch, use small vases with floating candles sprinkled with flower petals.
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