How to Save Money on a Wedding

Pre-wedding jitters are common for both, the bride and the groom. Why should you also suffer from the fear of wedding expenses? Wedding day is supposed to be the most important day as wedding is the turning point in our lives. This article will help you to enjoy your biggest moment in life by making sure that you eliminate all the unnecessary worries. Read on to find out how to save money on a wedding to make the most of your important day.

The first task in planning any wedding is setting up of the wedding budget. It's a very important task, not to be taken lightly. There are many aspects in a wedding, where the costs can be controlled to a great extent. Let us look into some of these areas in detail and find out ways to have a wonderful wedding.

How to Save Money on a Wedding Reception?
Wedding receptions follow every wedding. You cannot have a wedding without inviting your near and dear ones; family and friends who are important people in your life with whom you want to share your precious joy. But there are ways to cut corners in your wedding reception, while taking care that it is still the best that people remember. Consider the following points to know how to save money on a wedding.

Venue & Menu: The best time to have a wedding is the festival time. The churches are already decorated for the festival and you save yourself a lot of money on wedding decorations. Other ideas to save money will be to have your wedding on a weekday or on a Sunday night so that you get sufficient discounts on the wedding hall and from the caterers. Alternatively, you can go for a small town simple wedding. Don't make the wedding meal an elaborate one. Go for buffets and simple recipes to cut the cost on wedding catering. A lunch or brunch instead of the dinner can also help in savings. Having the ceremony and the reception at the same venue is another way to save money. Ask a family member or dear friend to officiate your wedding so that you do not have to pay the minister.

Guest List: Special occasions are celebrated with special people. Cut short your guest list to only those intimate family members and friends who make a difference in your life. Don't hand out the wedding invitations to everyone you know. When you send your invitations, ask the people to send in their confirmations through emails or by simply calling you. This saves you postage as you don't need to include a RSVP card with your wedding invitation.

Schedule: It is absolutely necessary to stick to the planned schedule. The band and the venue charges may increase if your wedding goes beyond the agreed time schedule.

Band: Wedding is incomplete without wedding music. But it is for you to decide if you want the music to please your guests or do you want your own choice of music. If you want an expensive band only because your friend had it in her wedding, you will have to shell out the extra moolah. Instead, go for small bands that are good but not yet popular. You will definitely have the best first dance together as 'Mr. and Mrs'.

Decorations: Wedding decorations are another aspect where money can be saved. Call your friends over, arrange for some food and have a fun weekend making your wedding centerpieces and wedding favors. Also, making wedding invitations at home with help from friends and family also saves a lot of money.

Flowers: Wedding decorations also include flowers. Don't order exotic wedding flowers. Instead, use only one or two flowers for decorations. If you have artistic talent, make a simple wedding bouquet at home. Invite all your bridesmaids and let them help you in this project while they make their own bridesmaid bouquets too!

Alcohol: You will be surprised to know that when you buy your own alcohol for a wedding ceremony, you save a lot of money. It's true. So, buy your own alcohol and also instruct the bartender to offer only a limited choice of drinks.

How to Save Money on a Wedding Dress
Wedding dress! The most wonderful and important part of your wedding. Since you were five, you planned this dress in which you say "I do". But when you are thinking of saving money on your wedding, do you want to spend a lot on the wedding dress? Saving on your wedding dress is also one of the ideas of how to save money on a wedding.

Buy a Dress: You can buy your dress online from the various sites that offer you attractive discounts. Go for off-season and sample sales and get a good bargain. There are various bridal chain stores which can be good for shopping of wedding dresses as they have a variety in affordable price ranges. Just remember to stick to your budget and don't overspend.

Rent a Dress: You will freak out if I suggest this, but there are stores that even rent out beautiful wedding gowns. Go for it. When you think practically, you will realize that there is no reason for you to spend so much on your dress. Instead, rent one for less than half the price and which is twice as beautiful. You can also rent vintage gowns from antique shops if you like.

Borrow a Dress: I am sure you must have loved a wedding dress that your friend wore at her wedding. Borrow it from her and make a few changes so that it looks different when you wear it and at the same time you save money. You can always have your mother's or sister's or any family member's wedding dress altered according to your own designs.

Make a Dress: If you have just loved a dress and want to buy it, but cannot afford it, here's another way to have it at less price. Hire a seamstress, give her your design and tell her what you need. You may have to compromise on the type of cloth, but at least you will have a dress that is designed by you. The veil and headpiece can be made by your mother, grandmother or a friend. You can skip these altogether and style up your hair beautifully in the latest style.

Accessories: Avoid too many ornaments and accessories. While buying wedding shoes, keep in mind that they are hidden below your dress. Remember that when you spend so much on shoes, you should be able to wear them on other occasions also.

How to Save Money on a Wedding Cake
Wedding cake is an integral part of every wedding. But it also, unfortunately, forms an integral part of your expenses. However, there are several ways to cut down on this expense.

Save a Cake: Get a small and beautiful cake for your ceremony and a sheet cake of the same flavor for the guests. The sugar frosting can be replaced with candied fruits or chocolates. This brings down the cost for wedding cake decoration. If you must have a tiered cake, you can ask your baker to create false layers of iced Styrofoam above or beneath the real tier of the cake. Avoid exotic flavors in the cake.

Buy a Cake: If you buy the cakes at the supermarket and get it decorated at some bakery or at a cooking class, you save a lot of money. Also, the cake ornaments can be bought cheap at a bakery. Borrow the cake pillars or rent them instead of buying the crystal ones.

Bake a Cake: If you have an accomplished baker in your family, like your grandmother, aunt, mother or you yourself, why not plan ahead and bake the cake. It will not only be cost-effective but also be a nice personal touch to your wedding.

How to Save Money on a Wedding Photographer
Yes, yes, you cannot have a photographer at your wedding. But do you need 500 photographs? Well, if you don't, here are some tips to save money in the area of wedding photography too and helping you in your quest of how to save money on a wedding!

Professional: Employ a wedding photographer for the wedding ceremony and for only the first two hours of the reception. Pose for your photos first and then send him packing.

Family: You have such a huge close knit family, there is bound to be someone with experience in photography. Why not ask him to click your photos. I am sure he/she will be only too willing to help you out. You can also ask them to video shoot your wedding ceremony.

All in all, there are a lot of ways of how to save money on a wedding. Apart from the above, there are other aspects like wedding themes, etc., where you can save a lot of money. Just keep in mind that this day is the starting of a new and beautiful relationship. Don't turn it ugly by thinking and fighting over the expenses of the wedding. All the best!