Make your wedding fabulous without breaking the bank.
You might be tempted to invite everyone you know on your guest list, don’t. Trim your list down at least three times. Then see if you’re happy with it. Ask family and friends to offer help with skills or talents instead of wedding presents.
What about the reception?
Find a family-owned restaurant in your community and ask the owners to cater your wedding. And they will almost always go the extra mile to make your wedding special and are often more understanding of your budget restrictions.
Go easy with the flowers.
Keep the flowers simple but elegant. How about a single flower for each bridesmaid and a very small bouquet for the bride? If you know someone with a flower garden, you can actually make your own bouquets the day before.
Make your own invitations.
You can make very classy invitations on your own with a good printer at home. Find a very classic font and simple text. It will look stylish and won’t cost much at all. Or look for sites that also offer cheap wedding invitations you can order from home
Borrow stereo equipment or use your own,
Rather than hiring a DJ, just use your own home stereo equipment, or equipment you borrow from a friend. Put speakers around the dance floor area. See if you have a friend who might want to make a playlist for you.
Stock the bar yourself.
Alcohol is always a big expense at a lot of weddings. Instead of opting for a full open bar, for instance, you can save money offering just beer and wine, or a free cocktail hour followed by a cash bar.
Buy bridesmaids dresses off the rack – and on sale.
If you want to save on bridesmaid dresses, buy dresses on sale. Or instead of buying new dresses, ask every bridesmaid to wear a particular color dress they already own.
Choose affordable wedding rings.
Wedding bands symbolize your commitment to each other. But they don’t have to cost you a fortune. Titanium, sterling silver, and other materials are less expensive and can be personalized for even deeper meaning.
Plan a simple honeymoon.
A huge, over-the-top honeymoon might sound like something fun to brag about, but it’s far cheaper to stay closer to home.
You could even just hop in the car and spend a week or two touring all of the local sights you’ve never had time to see until now.
Whatever you do, just enjoy this time together.