10 Ways to Save on Your Wedding

1. Keep the guest list small - This is a way to keep costs down. Instead of inviting your parent's friend who you have only met once, keep the guest list to those who are close to you.
2. Consider non-peak dates and times - Saturday and Sunday evenings are peak dates and times for weddings You will be competing with other prides for vendors and venues. Choosing other days may also get you lower prices from your vendor because you are the only wedding that day.
3. Choosing your venue - Be creative with your venue choices. Locations outside of reception halls or venue halls can offer better deals. A Botanical garden, a friends gorgeous backyard or a Zoo may offer more affordable options.
4. Keep it together - Keeping a ceremony and reception in one venue is efficient and allows for easy travelling for guests.
5. Ceremony music - Look at local performing art schools with the possibility of hiring students to perform at the wedding. A string quartet or a piano player consisting of these talented students allows you to cut costs on the DJ and only use him for the reception.
6. Reception and cake - There are different choices that are equally wonderful for your reception. Have a lunch reception; limit your sit-down dinner to three courses; provide different stations of food favorites; have a dessert-only reception later at night. A cake can be more waste than a bride and groom anticipated. Choosing alternatives like a dessert bar or cupcakes will provide the same deliciousness that the guests will enjoy.
7. Decor choices - Flowers can be very expensive. To keep costs down, use flowers that are in-season for your wedding date. Use an abundance of candles instead of huge flower arrangements. Large Candelabras are a great elegant alternative to flowers.
8. Make it special - Have specialty drinks available for guests instead of an open bar. Creative names for the drinks that are personal to the bride and groom make the drink even more special.....and fun!
9. Photo and Video - The photographer and videographer capture the special moments throughout the day/night, but they do not have to stay the whole time. After the cutting of the cake, the dances and a bit of dancing, these vendors can leave. As the guests continue to dance, the images begin to become repetitive.
10. Hire a Wedding Coordinator!!! - Some think this is just an extra expense, but a wedding coordinator is a valuable  asset to your wedding planning process. With their vendor contacts, the coordinator is able to negotiate and get you the best price. They also help you stay on time, avoiding overtime charges from your vendors.