Ways to Save when Planning Your Wedding

Weddings are beautiful occasions meant to unite two people. Every bride dreams of the perfect ceremony that creates memories to be cherished for years to come. The only problem for many people is that weddings can easily cost thousands of dollars as every loving detail quickly adds up. Planning a wedding that will be stunning as well as economical is not as hard as it seems.

To start with, making your own invitations can cut hundreds of dollars off wedding expenses. Designing and printing your own personalized invitations is easy and fun thanks to creative clip art, graphics and stationary all easily acquired for free or inexpensively. There are hundreds of invitation ideas floating around on the web so look into creating your own before paying a graphic designer and printer to create them for you.

When picking the perfect place to have the ceremony and reception consider using a place that you don't have to pay for. Instead of a church, restaurant, or banquet hall, a private home of a friend or relative, park, beach, or garden are usually free and are also naturally beautiful. Holding the ceremony and reception at the same place if you do pay for it will also keep costs down. The season and day you decide for your wedding will also impact costs, the "wedding season" is spring and summer, so weddings held in the fall or winter will usually cost less when renting space. Weddings are most commonly held on Saturdays, so choosing a weekday will also get you a lower price.

As you make the guest list try to keep it as small as possible. While the happy couple inevitably wants to share their special day with as many people as possible, limiting the guest list by even 10 or 20 people can mean big savings.

Preserving the cherished memories of a wedding are important to all couples. Photographers and Videoagraphers can, however, be very expensive. Instead of paying full price for someone to take pictures consider contacting a local college or trade school with a fine art program. Students studying photography will often be eager to take the job and the results will be just as nice as if you hired a professional. Only having a professional take posed pictures or limiting the amount of time they shoot can save money. For the rest of the time, leave disposable cameras on the tables at the reception and let guests snap away. You will get many great shots from different perspectives and of things a photographer couldn't capture.

At the reception, consider having a cash bar or only having an open bar for part of the time. If you can, buy your own alcohol and hire your own server. Catered four course meals are nice but are very expensive especially if you have a lot of guests. A buffet is more economical and will be sure to please all palates. Having a brunch or lunch-time reception will also cut costs. Having your reception catered by a company that prepares the food, drops it off, but does not serve is also more economical.

Flower arrangements are customarily the main decoration at weddings. Using in-season flowers instead of flowers that have to be special ordered will save you money. Plant your own bulbs a few months before the wedding and use them for decorations to save even more. Buying flowers wholesale is another option as well as picking a location outdoors that already has many flowers growing.

The wedding dress can vary in price from a hundred dollars to thousands. Buying a vintage or used dress can yield beautiful results, and there's no reason not to since most wedding dresses are worn only once. Wearing a family dress from the bride's mother or mother-in-law also saves money. For a personalized touch, old dresses can be altered or embellished for much less than buying a new gown.

Making small accessories yourself like candle holders, ring pillows, baskets, bows, etc. can also save money and be fun. Directions and supplies to make your own wedding accessories can be found at virtually any craft store or online. Enlist the help of friends and family to make many small items and watch your savings grow.

Weddings should be a time of joy and celebration so don't stress over every little detail, as long as you enjoy yourself so will every one else.