On a Budget

Our hard-earned money seems to go quicker every day.  You are planning one of the most special days in your life and want to make it perfect.  But, how can you save money when wedding-related items seem so expensive?

The number one way to save money on your wedding is to cut the guest list.  If you have fewer guests, you will need less food, fewer invitations and programs, fewer chains, tables, centerpieces, a smaller cake, and fewer flowers.  Some people who have large families and a wide circle of friends find it difficult to cut their guest list.  That is perfectly acceptable but you should be prepared to pay much more than a couple planning a smaller wedding.  One way to help you decide if you should invite someone to your wedding is whether or not you consider them close enough to invite them to your home for dinner.  If you would let them into your home for a meal you prepared, they should probably be invited.  However, if this person is merely an acquaintance who you only go out to eat with, they probably aren't a necessary guest.  If you decide to have a lot of guests, there are other ways you can save money but nothing will make such a big difference as a smaller guest list.

Your Date
You can consider off-season dates. The busiest time for weddings is late Spring through early Fall.  Some venues and vendors will offer off-season discounts to help fill their slow months.  One thing to be aware of is picking a holiday date.  While it may mean extra time off for your guests, it could also mean higher gas, airfare, and room rates.

Some venues and vendors charge higher rates for Fridays and Saturdays.  Depending on your religious views, you may be able to consider a Sunday or even a week day evening.

Time of Day
The best way to save money related to the time of your wedding is to avoid meal times.  If your ceremony is at noon or 5 pm, your guests will expect a full meal to be provided.  Try planning your ceremony at 2 or 7 just after normal meal times so that your guests understand there will only be finger foods or hors d'oeuvres.  Also, beware of late clean-up or pick-up charges.  Most venues will require your guests, decorations, and rentals be gone by 11 pm or midnight.  Also, many rentals will charge a late pick-up fee or after-hours fee.

Food
If you are wanting a complete meal or want to have it served, you should be prepared to pay at least $20 a person.  To cut food costs, you can have a buffet (be careful, this is not always cheaper) or you can serve light snacks.  Alcoholic drinks always add a lot of money to the bill but you can have a limited bar or only champagne for toasts.  Serving alcohol requires a bar-tender, and, in many places, a security guard so you have to watch out for extra service fees and gratuities.

There are a lot of ways to save on the dessert.  If you are wanting a traditional cake, you can have a small one in your design and have a sheet cake for all the guests. Many bakeries can also create a "fake" cake and you can serve a sheet cake from the kitchen.  However, if your wedding style is not very traditional, you can consider having a dessert bar with pies, cookies, and cupcakes or you can have a large display of cupcakes.  You can speak with your baker and caterer to discuss their less-expensive options.

Attire
With the popularity of Internet sites like Ebay, there are so many options you have for purchasing your attire and your attendants' attire.  First of all, there are companies who will rent everything you need which can definitely be cheaper than purchasing everything.  However, beware of late or damage fees and that some of these gowns may not fit just right.  Many people want to save their wedding gowns or bridesmaid dresses for keepsake purposes or to pass on to their daughter.  Many bridal shops and designers have off-the-rack sales to help them clear out out-of-season gowns to make room for the latest styles.  Most of these you will have to be at the store to get a dress, they aren't usually done online.  There are also many resale sites that have gowns for every size that may have never been worn.  Making the wedding less formal can allow the men to wear more casual and inexpensive suits or dress pants, button shirt, and tie. Some of the men may already have some of these things.

Attendants
Another way to save is to have a small number or no attendants.  The same basic idea of cutting the guest list applies.  The more attendants you have, the more people you will have at the rehearsal dinner, the more travel and gifts you will need to purchase.

Decor
If you have anyone offering to help you with something or make something for you, you should take them up on their offer!  There are so many talented people out there who can make your decorations or run the ipod or video for you.  If your friends and family offer any services to you, it would be wise to at least consider it if you are working on a tight budget.

Flowers are always expensive, but if you choose flowers that are in season and have non-floral centerpieces and aisle markers, your floral costs can be cut considerably.

There are big and small ways to save money on your wedding.  You may have to be willing to shop around and be flexible with your date and preferences but it can definitely be done.  Good luck all you brides and grooms out there and remember it isn't how much you spend on your wedding that makes it special, it's how much thought you put in and the loved ones who share your joy and celebrate with you.