| Your wedding dress: | | | | etc.) to save money.The more tiers and |
| Start shopping right away. You won't feel rushed | | | | decorations your cake has the more expensive it |
| or pressured into buying something, and you'll be | | | | will be.Buy your own drink it will work out a lot |
| able to shop smart.Simple plain dresses are usually | | | | cheaper then paying the caterers or venues |
| less expensive then the ones with lace, pearls | | | | prices.Photos: |
| beads etc..You could buy a plain dress and add | | | | Compare hourly fees and package deals to see |
| lace, beads etc.. yourself. Or get someone to do it | | | | which is more cost-effective for you.Give |
| for you.Rent or borrow a dress. If you like your | | | | disposable cameras as wedding favours. Then you |
| mother`s, sister`s or friends dress ask them if | | | | can get copies of the days events from family |
| you could borrow it. But don`t be offended if they | | | | and friends.Have a professional photographer take |
| refuse as a wedding dress is very sacred to | | | | the formal pictures and shoot the ceremony; |
| most women.Look around second hand shops | | | | have guests take all reception photos.Visit your |
| charity shops. You`ll be surprised at the amount | | | | local college`s photography department and check |
| they get given, and they are usually | | | | out some of the students' portfolios. They will do |
| inexpensive.The venue: | | | | your photography a lot cheaper and just as good |
| Book the ceremony/reception well in advance | | | | as a professionalAsk friends and family to video |
| you may be able to negotiate a better price then | | | | the big day for you.Flowers: |
| you would if you left it to the last minute.Have | | | | Use flowers that are in season and/or locally |
| your wedding on off-peak months. November to | | | | grown they're less expensive than out-of-season |
| April rates will probably be reduced. Christmas | | | | flowers that must be shipped to your area.Have |
| weddings are more expensive though so if you | | | | bouquet with just a few large flowers, like orchids, |
| are planning a Christmas wedding you will have to | | | | tulips, lilies, or sunflowers, tied with a ribbon.If you |
| cut your finances.Instead of a grand ballroom or | | | | are marrying at Christmas or Easter, your church |
| banquet hall, think less-expensive venues, like | | | | may already be decked out beautifully.Arrange to |
| publicly owned buildings and parks, registry office, | | | | share the cost of ceremony decorations with the |
| the church or temple hall, the backyard, the | | | | couple marrying directly before or after you that |
| beach, a restaurant's private room. You may | | | | day.Use silk or dried flowers instead of fresh ones |
| have to get a permit to marry in a public place, | | | | in table centerpieces.Music: |
| but it will be less than a private banquet | | | | DJs are less expensive than live bands.Ask a |
| room.Catering: | | | | family member or friends child to sing at the |
| Look around for caterers. Get different quotes | | | | reception.Hire music for the evening reception |
| before you decide on one.Choose cheaper | | | | only. People are usually to busy chatting to notice |
| entrees, like prawns instead of lobster, vegetables | | | | any way.Ask at the local college/university for |
| like broccoli instead of asparagus will cut the cost, | | | | young musicians.Invitations: |
| too.Cut down on courses. If you're having a | | | | Send invitations that are light enough when |
| cocktail hour, do you really need an appetizer | | | | completely assembled to require only a single |
| course? Do you need soup and salad?Instead of | | | | stamp for mailing.Make your own invitation cards. |
| waiter service, have a buffet bar.Think ethnic! | | | | They are cheaper and more personal.If you are |
| Mexican, Indian, Italian, or Chinese food is fun and | | | | having a themed wedding make cards to do with |
| much cheaper per person than the traditional | | | | the theme.Transportation: |
| wedding menu. See if your favorite restaurant | | | | Limousines are cheap enough to hire for an hour. |
| caters.If you are having a themed wedding create | | | | Find out in advance how long the ceremony will |
| your menu around the theme.Have the wedding | | | | take.Only hire a limo for the bride and groom; |
| cake only as dessert and eliminate any other | | | | have attendants driven in relatives' cars, or have |
| sweets (eclairs, pastries, etc.).Consider a wedding | | | | them drive themselves in groups.You might be |
| breakfast or brunch (omelettes, muffins, | | | | able to hire a horse and carriage for just as less. |
| pancakes, French toast), or a tea (a variety of | | | | Check the Yellow pages for any in your area.We |
| tea flavors, finger sandwiches, scones and jams, | | | | hope these are of some use to you. |