Six Money-Saving Wedding Tips from a Professional Wedding Planner

According to The Bridal Association of America, the average cost of a wedding in 2007 was $28,850 with a guest list of 169 (source: http://www.bridalassociationofamerica.com/Wedding_Statistics/). Even though this figure is the latest data available, the average cost of a wedding increases every year and is expected to hit nearly $31,000 by 2009.

In the late 1990's I owned and operated a wedding coordination and planning business. I had the pleasure of being involved in more than 50 weddings in all different budget ranges.

While planning weddings for other people I saw firsthand the wasted money that brides and grooms spent that went unnoticed or unappreciated by their guests on the big day. Couples often get so caught up in the frenzy of planning their wedding that they forget how much money they might be throwing out the window. But if you are smart and methodical with your wedding planning, you can save thousands of dollars without anyone noticing the difference. I'd like to share some moneysaving tips I learned along the way.

Cut the Guest List. The above average wedding cost is based on a guest list of 169. Consider cutting the list down to only include the people in your lives who are most precious to you. By reducing the number of guests you invite, the following areas of your budget will be reduced: favors/gifts, flowers (centerpieces), reception and stationary. The "Reception" link item above indicates you're spending $83 per guest for just food and location. If you keep the same menu and facility but cut the guest list down to 100, you're saving $5,589.

Pick a Different Day. It is reported that you can save up to 25% off your wedding bill just by switching your wedding to a day other than Saturday. The typical Saturday afternoon wedding followed by a full-blown sit down meal reception with dancing and drinking is the most expensive option. Why be typical? A Friday night wedding with hors d'oeuvres and a signature cocktail would not only save you money by booking your facility on a different night of the week, but also the pared down menu would save money off the cost of a full sit down meal. Or maybe a Sunday afternoon followed by high tea, cake and champagne?

Cut the Cake. Custom wedding cakes are expensive with a price tag ranging between $8 to $25 per serving. Even if you choose a mid-range cake for 100 guests you'll pay as much as $17 per slice of cake. Yes folks - that's $1,700 for a cake that will be gone by the end of the night! A popular option is to have a beautiful wedding cake on display that has several fake layers --- so the large bottom two layers of the cake are actually Styrofoam decorated with the same frosting as the real layers - and the top two layers are regular cake for the ceremonial cutting of the cake. (Or just order a smaller cake that is only big enough for the bridal party only.) Then when the cake is ready to be served, a less expensive sheet cake is served from the kitchen and the guests are none the wiser. This trickery could save you as much as 50% -70% off the price of a typical cake.

Dressed to the Nines. The average cost of a wedding gown (and all that goes with it/under it) is $1,500. There are many ways to cut that price dramatically. Buy off the rack rather than custom order. Buy a non-traditional gown by shopping in the prom dress or bridesmaid departments and order the dress in white. Or better yet, check the local clothing stores at prom or homecoming season to find bargains off the rack. Also, don't buy your shoes at the bridal store - hit the shoe store instead and save hundreds of dollars. Same goes for the veil and tiara. Don't buy from the bridal store; check out fabric stores that cater to seamstresses who make wedding dresses on the side for bargains. For the groom, find a tuxedo rental store that will give you the groom's tux for free if the bridal party orders from the same store.

Add Personality. A traditional wedding with all the "chutes and ladders" is the most expensive type of event. The bridal industry has exploded with profit because everyone wants the same type of wedding and will buy all the typical wedding-themed merchandise. However, by simply looking somewhere other than the wedding isle at the store you can save money and add personality to your special day. What hobbies, passions or recreation do you and your groom share? Golf? Scuba diving? Baseball? Technology? Antiquing? Figure out what you both love to do together and find a way to share that experience with your guests. A traditional floral centerpiece for tables at your reception could cost as much as $200 each. But a low glass bowl filled with brand new baseballs and surrounded by low votive candles as a centerpiece is much more interesting and your guests will remember it longer than they'll remember the roses and orchids. And why pay $3-$5 for a fancy store-bought favor to give your guests when something like a music CD burned with your favorite songs is something they'll treasure every time they listen to it. Be creative and think outside the "wedding" box. Not only will your wedding be more personal, it will also save you a truckload of money.

Don't scrimp on the Photographer. After your wedding, what will you have left to remember your most special day? You'll have each other and you'll have the photographs. My #1 piece of advice to the brides I worked with was "Don't scrimp on the photographer." I have seen far too many couples saddened by poor wedding photos. Nothing can fix bad photos. You could get a refund, but that still doesn't bring the photos back. Know that the most important thing you can do for yourself is to hire an outstanding photographer. Don't trust Uncle Bob to do the job. Hire a professional. Even if it requires sacrificing in other areas of your wedding, this is the most important thing you can do for yourselves. Skip the limo, cut back on the menu, scale back on a full bar or have fewer bridal attendants - do whatever it takes to squeeze enough out of your budget to hire someone you can rely on. (OK, so this isn't a money saving tip - but it's a "Memory-Saving" tip.)