| Your wedding dress: | | | | it will be.Buy your own drink it will work |
| | | | out a lot cheaper then paying the caterers or |
| Start shopping right away. You won't feel | | | | venues prices.Photos: |
| rushed or pressured into buying something, | | | | |
| and you'll be able to shop smart.Simple plain | | | | Compare hourly fees and package deals to see |
| dresses are usually less expensive then the | | | | which is more cost-effective for you.Give |
| ones with lace, pearls/beads etc..You could | | | | disposable cameras as wedding favours. Then |
| buy a plain dress and add lace, beads etc.. | | | | you can get copies of the days events from |
| yourself. Or get someone to do it for | | | | family and friends.Have a professional |
| you.Rent or borrow a dress. If you like your | | | | photographer take the formal pictures and |
| mother`s, sister`s or friends dress ask them | | | | shoot the ceremony; have guests take all |
| if you could borrow it. But don`t be offended | | | | reception photos.Visit your local college`s |
| if they refuse as a wedding dress is very | | | | photography department and check out some of |
| sacred to most women.Look around second hand | | | | the students' portfolios. They will do your |
| shops/charity shops. You`ll be surprised at | | | | photography a lot cheaper and just as good as |
| the amount they get given, and they are | | | | a professionalAsk friends and family to video |
| usually inexpensive.The venue: | | | | the big day for you.Flowers: |
| | | | |
| Book the ceremony/reception well in advance | | | | Use flowers that are in season and/or |
| you may be able to negotiate a better price | | | | locally grown they're less expensive than |
| then you would if you left it to the last | | | | out-of-season flowers that must be shipped to |
| minute.Have your wedding on off-peak months. | | | | your area.Have bouquet with just a few large |
| November to April rates will probably be | | | | flowers, like orchids, tulips, lilies, or |
| reduced. Christmas weddings are more | | | | sunflowers, tied with a ribbon.If you are |
| expensive though so if you are planning a | | | | marrying at Christmas or Easter, your church |
| Christmas wedding you will have to cut your | | | | may already be decked out beautifully.Arrange |
| finances.Instead of a grand ballroom or | | | | to share the cost of ceremony decorations |
| banquet hall, think less-expensive venues, | | | | with the couple marrying directly before or |
| like publicly owned buildings and parks, | | | | after you that day.Use silk or dried flowers |
| registry office, the church or temple hall, | | | | instead of fresh ones in table |
| the backyard, the beach, a restaurant's | | | | centerpieces.Music: |
| private room. You may have to get a permit to | | | | |
| marry in a public place, but it will be less | | | | DJs are less expensive than live bands.Ask a |
| than a private banquet room.Catering: | | | | family member or friends child to sing at the |
| | | | reception.Hire music for the evening |
| Look around for caterers. Get different | | | | reception only. People are usually to busy |
| quotes before you decide on one.Choose | | | | chatting to notice any way.Ask at the local |
| cheaper entrees, like prawns instead of | | | | college/university for young |
| lobster, vegetables like broccoli instead of | | | | musicians.Invitations: |
| asparagus will cut the cost, too.Cut down on | | | | |
| courses. If you're having a cocktail hour, do | | | | Send invitations that are light enough when |
| you really need an appetizer course? Do you | | | | completely assembled to require only a single |
| need soup and salad?Instead of waiter | | | | stamp for mailing.Make your own invitation |
| service, have a buffet bar.Think ethnic! | | | | cards. They are cheaper and more personal.If |
| Mexican, Indian, Italian, or Chinese food is | | | | you are having a themed wedding make cards to |
| fun and much cheaper per person than the | | | | do with the theme.Transportation: |
| traditional wedding menu. See if your | | | | |
| favorite restaurant caters.If you are having | | | | Limousines are cheap enough to hire for an |
| a themed wedding create your menu around the | | | | hour. Find out in advance how long the |
| theme.Have the wedding cake only as dessert | | | | ceremony will take.Only hire a limo for the |
| and eliminate any other sweets (eclairs, | | | | bride and groom; have attendants driven in |
| pastries, etc.).Consider a wedding breakfast | | | | relatives' cars, or have them drive |
| or brunch (omelettes, muffins, pancakes, | | | | themselves in groups.You might be able to |
| French toast), or a tea (a variety of tea | | | | hire a horse and carriage for just as less. |
| flavors, finger sandwiches, scones and jams, | | | | Check the Yellow pages for any in your |
| etc.) to save money.The more tiers and | | | | area.We hope these are of some use to you. |
| decorations your cake has the more expensive | | | | |