Cut the Cost of Your Dream Wedding: Tips to Save Money on Your Big Day

The wedding industry is reportedly estimated to be an over $25 billion business, and is it really any surprise? Weddings are expensive, but the wedding budget isn't always as flexible. For couples looking to get married, it can be a real strain and potentially put them into debt as a couple right away. For most people, it's almost necessary to start looking for ways to shave off the costs of the wedding so that it doesn't make as big of a dent in your bank account.

Let's start with something that can really set a bride-to-be back: the wedding dress. Wedding dresses are expensive and while you may think it's worth the cost, odds are you're only going to wear it once. There are so many options for this. You don't even have to buy an actual wedding dress! A white or ivory evening gown or bridesmaid's dress can work just as well. But if you have to have a wedding dress (because let's face it girls - sometimes the runner-up isn't going to work like the real thing), consider looking into second-hand wedding dresses. You can actually find these in specialty shops or even online. Many of these dresses will have only been worn once (though sometimes, the dress won't have been worn at all!), and this option gives you a chance to purchase a dress that you never would have been able to afford full-price!

Invitations are another way to save a little money. While it might be appealling to go for the embossed, engraved, or otherwise embellished invitations, if you're at all computer-savvy, you might want to print out your own invitations. Stationery stores sell printer-ready paper and envelopes, and some online stores offer the use of their printing program so that you can print your own invitations directly from your home computer. You can also purchase your own software or use software you already own.

Flowers can actually be bought wholesale, or even fake! Some would argue that fake flowers in a wedding symbolize a fake marriage, but in the end, your budget and your personal preference is the real deciding factor. Nothing should dictate how your marriage will turn out but yourselves!

Your wedding cake cost can be cut down by buying a smaller tiered cake or even have a friend make your cake for you! Or, if you're handy at cake decorating, consider making the cake yourself! Other couples have also had novel ideas in having cupcakes, cheesecake, or even a sheet cake!

Favors and centerpieces can be made instead of purchased. Companies such as Wilton make it easy to put together wedding favors.

A photographer is one of the most costly, but necessary expenses of them all. Consider hiring a photographer for the ceremony only and having friends and family photograph the reception. Or, if you have a friend who takes amazing shots, consider 'hiring' your friend for the day and avoid the bigger cost of a professional photographer all together.

The reception is the biggest expense by far to a wedding - food and drink can get a little expensive! While it's not always a great idea to skimp on the cost here, you can certainly cut a few corners. It's common for over 100 people to attend a wedding. Maybe one of the biggest ways to cut down your costs is to cut your guest list. Consider a morning wedding with breakfast foods or a late evening wedding with desserts instead of the traditional meal. Or maybe a buffet as opposed to the sit-down three-course meal? Keep the open bar to the bare minimum.

There are many other ways to cut costs at a wedding, and give the happy couple money for their honeymoon or the house where they will one day start their family. Cost itself doesn't not make luxury. With an imagination and a little assistance, you can have a wedding fit for a celebrity at a fraction of the cost!