Easy ways to save on your wedding without giving it a second thought

Oftentimes, ways to save money on your wedding means giving up something you’ve been dreaming about your entire life. Other budget-savers require no second thought. Here are a few money-saving tips that fall into the latter category:

• Host a limited bar. It’s better than a dry wedding, but not as expensive as an open bar. Create a specialty cocktail (and have fun with it!) and offer a mid-level wine and beer. That way, everyone will have something yummy to drink, but you’re not stuck with a huge bar bill at the end of the night.
• Create your own centerpieces. It’s easy to dream up gorgeous centerpieces for a fraction of the price if you create them yourself. The key is to use low-cost ingredients (think filler flowers like baby’s breath — which has gotten a bad rap — or pretty fruits like lemons or apples) and coupons/sales for everything else. If you start collecting centerpiece items early, you’re likely to be able to collect coupons or hit the sales throughout the year at the local craft store. Buy the bigger pieces one or two items at a time, and you’ll save a bundle without sacrificing the look of your wedding.
• Cut the favors. Plain and simple, you just don’t need them. You’re spending anywhere from $200-$800 on something that is likely going to be left on the table. Even edible favors are mostly a waste of money. Spend the funds somewhere where it really matters — like the wedding dress.
• Hold your cocktail wedding reception on a Friday night instead of Saturday. This option won’t always be a budget-saver, or even realistic for some couples. For example, if many of your guests are traveling from out of town, then the likelihood they can get there in time for a 7 p.m. Friday night ceremony start isn’t good. (Then again, you would cut costs if those guests declined to attend … it all depends on priorities.) Second, a venue that’s more likely to be booked on a Friday night, like if they offer live bands or host corporate functions, won’t offer any reduced rates. But if you can find a venue that offers cheaper rates on a Friday versus Saturday night, and all you care about is that your wedding reception has a lounge-y, cocktail-party feel, then who cares if which weekend night it’s on?
• Go for less-luxe comfort food for the reception meal, like pot roast and macaroni and cheese, or barbecue chicken and mashed potatoes. It’s not really a surprise that crab cakes and steak are the ultra-expensive options for a reception meal. But if you’re not having a super-luxurious affair, then why do you need to serve lobster to your guests? The comfort food is not only cheaper, but it’s just as yummy as its more-expensive counterparts.
• Bail on the champagne toast. It’s likely that three-fourths of your guests won’t even like champagne. Instead of having it automatically poured; just have a waiter walk around with a tray of glasses. Guests can take one if they want. If not, they’ll get the hint that the toasts are coming up soon, and they should hurry up to the bar to get their own drink filled.

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