Bank on It: Clever and Creative Ways to Save on Your Wedding

It's a fact that the cost of weddings is rising every year. But that doesn't mean that you and your family should create a mountain of debt just to make your dream wedding come true. As I found out there are plenty of clever and creative ways to cut corners without sacrificing quality or quantity. You just have to be willing to roll up your sleeves and do a little work yourself. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you need to be flexible, you'll better deals and have more option and may be able to get something that other wise might be out of reach. So read on to discover ways to save money on everything from invitations to food.

Invitations

* Make copies of a recent photo of you and your future spouse. List all the wedding details on the back and send them out as invitations. Ask guests to RSVP by phone or email by a certain date if they can attend. Digital prints are only pennies a copy and box of pretty envelopes won't set you back much at all. This unique and personal option can save you a bundle.

* Hand write your invitations on nice note cards or pretty paper. Office supply stores have perfect, boxed note cards with matching envelopes. You can often find a box of twenty for less then $10. This is ideal for a small or informal wedding.

* Send out your invites by email. You won't pay for envelopes or postage.Your guests will them quicker and respond quicker.

Flowers

* Use unique flowers instead of the usual bridal choices like roses, stephanotise, gardenias and lilies. Going with nontraditional flowers will save you money but your guests will actually think you spent a fortune simply because they're not used to seeing the unusual blooms.

* Use silk flowers instead of live ones. Look through magazines and online to find arrangements you like and them duplicate them yourselves with supplies from the craft store. Get your bridesmaids together for a light lunch and spend the day making your centerpeices and other arrangements. Save the real flowers for your bouquets and boutinere's.

* Check with florists to ask about potted trees and flowering plant rentals. These can be used as centerpieces and other decor and then retuned the next day.

The Reception

* Consider doing a potluck instead of using a caterer. It's a great way to save money and bring you're wedding guests together. They'll love swapping receipes and you'll get to sample everyone's best dishes.

* Skip the napkins engraved with your name and wedding date. People are going to wipe their mouths and blow their noses in them after all. Go with regular colored napkins: they will serve the purpose and cost next to nothing.

* Have an ealier reception on Saturday, one that begins at 1pm and goes until 5pm. This will still allow you the same formal options as the evening wedding but for up to 20% less. Or go for a three hour reception rather than a five hour one. This is perfect for a wedding held earlier in the day. A shorter reception means less food and a smaller bar tab!

This & That

* To save money on your dress look for a line by a designer that has been discountinued. You'll get the designer gown without the hefty designer price tag.

* Eliminate elements that you don't feel strongly about outside from proper ettiqute. If you don't see the need for a wedding video or favors skip them! Doing without a few little things will add up to big savings!

* Instead of buying a wedding package just pay for the photographers time and a photo DVD. This way you'll have access to all of the pictures taken on your big day and can have prints made at drugstores for pennies a piece. Pay the photographer to make prints of the more special photos. More and more photographers are offering this service.