1. Wedding Gown
   Ask around. There may very well be an heirloom dress in the family or a close friend may have a gown you can borrow. Most women would be honored by the request. One thing, be sure to get permission for major changes or size alterations you would like to have made. Also, if the dress is going back to the original bride or family member after the wedding, it is only fair that you pay to have the dress cleaned and prepared for storage before returning it.
    
2. Bridal Party
   The smaller the group you have standing up front, the less expense is involved. Even if the attendants pay for their own attire, there are still flowers, gift and rehearsal dinner expenses involved when having a large bridal party.
    
3. Flowers
   Instead of bouquets that bubble over with exotic flower selections from around the globe, a single long-stem rose tied with a satin ribbon for the bridesmaids is a simple and elegant choice. The bride could use a small prayer book or bible with a small bunch of lily-of-the-valley.
    
4. Attendant Gifts
   Take a casual photo of your bridesmaids and purchase inexpensive frames to give each member a memento from one of your bridal showers or a "girls' night out". Be sure to include a message and the date on the back of the picture for an even more meaningful touch.
    
5. Invitations
   Go simple! The most impressive wedding invitations are the sleek, one card type. Also, selecting a card size that does not require extra postage will save money incrementally depending on the size of the guest list.
    
6. Photography
   Professional photographers usually have several options for you to choose from. You can get the album you want without breaking the budget. After you have selected the pictures you want in the formal album, ask about buying the rest of the proofs. If you know someone who takes great photos, ask them to be your photographer. Usually you can buy the film and pay for the developing yourself. At the reception, it is fun to have disposable cameras at each table to get plenty of candid and often very funny shots. Just be sure to include the development costs for each camera in the budget.
    
7. Guest List
   Keep it short. Invite the people that are most important to you, your family and friends. An intimate gathering will be more memorable for you and everyone you share it with.
    
8. Ceremony
   Decorate the church with large bows and simple flower arrangements. Large flowers such as magnolias look beautiful at the end of long, wooden pews.
    
9. Rice Shower
   Some brides substitute rice with bird seed. Cut a yard of netting into 2" x 2" squares, place a small amount of bird see  in the center, gather up the four corners and tie it with a ribbon. With bird seed, there's also no cleanup necessary at most venues.
    
10. Programs
    Wedding programs are not necessary, but if you want them and have access to a computer, you can easily make them yourself. Most paper or craft stores carry a variety of covers. Select your favorite and get creative. Be sure you have the correct spelling for all names.

• Have your wedding on a Friday evening or Sunday afternoon. It is cheaper than on a Saturday evening. A brunch or lunch on Saturday would also be more economical.
   
• Serve a gourmet chicken dish instead of one of the popular medleys (beef/fish, beef/seafood, beef/chicken).
   
• Nix the open bar. Serve beer and wine. You can opt to offer 1 or 2 "signature cocktails" like martinis or margaritas, but everything else is either paid for by the guest or unavailable all together.
   
• Don't have a champagne toast. When that toasting time comes, most everyone already has a drink and the bubbly usually goes untouched.
   
• Believe it or not, a wedding planner can be very helpful in negotiating contracts. Hire one to do just that job. Wedding planners also prevent engaging vendors that do not have good reputations in the trade.
   
• Eliminate the favors. You are giving each guest a fun party. That should be enough! If you do want to do a favor, be creative and do something such as Aunt Sarah's famous sugared pecans or biscotti in a gift box imprinted with your names and wedding date.
   
• Instead of cut flowers as centerpieces, paint clay flower pots in the wedding colors and use colorful planted flowers instead. The flowers will last longer after the ceremony is over and the guests have all gone home. They can even be planted in front of your new home.
   
• See if there is a family ring that might be available. Even resetting a stone from an heirloom ring can save you a bundle. It would also be considered "green" as you are in effect recycling a family heirloom.
   
• The easiest way to cut expenses, but normally the hardest to do, is to cut the guest list. Everyone involved has their own ideas of who should be invited, but when it comes down to it, smaller weddings...use smaller budgets.
   
• And finally, we'd be remiss if we didn't toot our own horn. The American Wedding offers a wide variety of affordable but stunning wedding invitations and accessory items. Let us help you find the perfect invitation that suits both your style and your wedding budget.

• Make your own accessories, like the ring pillow, wedding veil, and decorations for the ceremony and reception. Craft and fabric stores offer large selections of patterns, fabrics, ideas as well as many how-to courses.. Save even more money by buying your supplies during a sale.
   
• Hold the ceremony and reception in the same location. You will save on flowers, decorations, transportation, site fees & more.
   
• Consider decorating with balloons instead of just flowers. Balloons are much cheaper and add a touch of magic!
   
• Save money on those little fairy lights by purchasing white Christmas tree lights after Christmas. You can save 75% over those offered in wedding catalogs.
   
• Create your own centerpieces and light the room with candlelight. Candles are much cheaper than flowers. Buy votives from a restaurant supplier or craft store. Buying these is usually cheaper than renting, and you can use them again.
   
• If you have a friend who is a musician or singer, consider asking them to play or sing during the ceremony instead of hiring a professional. This will save you a lot of money and your friend will be touched that you asked.
   
• Find a DJ who is willing to work along, and leave the emcee duties to the best man. Consider borrowing or renting a good sound system, organize your CD selections and see if you can locate a music student from a local high school to act as disc jockey.
   
• Talk to your photographer about limiting his/her time to help cut costs. Have them only shoot the ceremony, not the reception. Put disposable cameras around at the reception for guests to use. It costs less than a photographer in most cases, and you can expect to get some great candid pictures!
   
• Save money on the transportation budget by limiting the number of limos you use. Or as a friend with a vintage car or carriage to drive the bridal couple and book a mini-bus or van to transport the wedding party and parents.
   
• When it comes to weddings, relatives and friends are usually thrilled to help. From shoes to linens to a backyard, don't dismiss any offers too quickly. Borrowing can save you a lot of money.
   
• Lastly, forego the exotic tropical honeymoon. Instead, spend a relaxing week at a local beach or cabin in the hills. You'll feel refreshed and won't have to deal with the stress of travel and jet lag. Best of all, you will save a bundle on your first vacation as husband and wife.

First of all, establish a manageable budge for your big day.  Determine what amount of money all of the parties involved - the bride and her parents and the groom and his parents - can and/or will contribute to the festivities.  It is customary for the bride's family to cover the majority of the expenses.  Today, it is very common for the bride and groom to finance their own wedding and reception.

Traditionally, the bride or her parents pay for the groom's wedding ring, the invitations and reception cards, postage, the wedding gown and the bride's accessories, the fee for the ceremony site, all of the flowers for the ceremony, attendants and reception, gifts and lodging for the brides' attendants, the photographer, music for the ceremony and reception, rented transportation, such as a limousine, and all the reception expenses, which includes the venue rental, food, beverages, entertainment and decorations.

The groom or his family usually pay for the engagement and wedding rings, a gift for the bride, lodging for the ushers, the marriage license, the officiant's fee, the bride's bouquet, corsages for the mothers and grandmothers, boutonnieres for the groomsmen, the rehearsal dinner and the honeymoon.

The maid/matron of honor and bridesmaids typically are responsible for their own gowns and accessories, a gift for the newlyweds, one shower gift, transportation to the wedding and a contribution of time and/or money to the bridal shower.

The best man and the groomsmen are responsible to pay for the renting of a tuxedo (or suit) and shoes, a gift for the newlyweds, transportation to the wedding and a contribution to the bachelor party.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the financial aspect of a wedding.  Only you know what everyone is willing and able to afford.  Establish a budget, stick to it and make your wedding as stress free as you possibly can.  Your wedding day should be the happiest day of your life because you will be united with one you love and surrounded by family and friends who love you. 

What if your sister, your cousin or even a very close friend suggests sharing your wedding day?  Most women, at first, would probably shy away from a double wedding.  But if the other bride is your sister, your parents will surely appreciate the substantial savings and the treasured memories.

From the start, all of the parties involved should have a group meeting to set the budget, agree on a ceremony site and the reception venue.  Consider your relationship with your co-bride.  If the two of you are totally different when it comes to fashion, you may want to forget the whole thing.  But if you are both fairly main stream, this could work out beautifully.  You can choose different dresses and colors just as long as they are complementary to each other.

Only one wedding invitation needs to be ordered!  This will save on postage as well as your wedding stationery.  The wording will be the same as on any other invitation except the older of the two brides and her groom should be listed first.

Another obvious savings will be with the flowers and the reception.  Most receptions today end up being the biggest expense.  But with a double wedding, there will be the benefit of having only one venue to rent, one band to book and one caterer to hire.

Make sure to honor the protocol of a double wedding ceremony.  The wedding party of the older of the two brides proceeds down the aisle first, followed by the older bride.  Then the bridal party for the second bride proceeds down the aisle, followed by the second bride.  The same applies when entering the reception hall.  Two full wedding parties can get rather large, so make sure the ceremony site and reception area are able to accommodate everyone without looking crowded and chaotic.

You also may decide to  have a double wedding shower.  This is very convenient for your guests.  But if you would like to retain some individuality, tactfully request doing some parties and/or showers separately.

A double wedding can save on expenses but create a wealth of memories for years to come.

Question:

Who pays for the bridesmaids dresses?

Tammy

The Everyday Etiquette Answer:

Dear Tammy,

Traditionally, the bridesmaids and maid/matron of honor pay for their dresses. With this in mind, being considerate of their budgets is very important. If you find a dress you really love and it is expensive, maybe you can help pay for the dresses. This is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated. However, this may not be in the cards so try to keep the dresses in a price range that is workable for your friends.

Another issue is the style of the dresses. Since everyone is not a size 6, selecting a dress that will look good on all your attendants is a monumental task. My daughter-in-law selected 3 styles in the same color/fabric from one manufacturer. She then let each of her attendants choose the style best suited to her specific body type. It really was very effective, and the girls were delighted to have a little choice.

Hopefully this will help you out. There may be some ups and downs, but it will be a wonderful event.

Ms. Carey

Ask your own Everyday Etiquette questions

The two major highlights of any wedding weekend are the ceremony and the reception.  The expenses included for the ceremony will be the fee for the site, clergy payment, music and custodial feels.  Expenses for the reception will include food, drinks, entertainment and venue charges.  In most cases the reception will be the most expensive event of your wedding weekend.

As you start to set up your budget, keep in mind that you only have a certain amount of money to spend.  The process of budgeting will help you turn that money into the wedding you have always imagined.

You may be pleasantly surprised that as you share your wedding plans with family and friends, someone may step forward and offer financial support, or perhaps host an event during the wedding weekend.  To know about this before you set your budget would be ideal, but not crucial.  If you grandmother would like to purchase your wedding gown for you, for instance, you simply remove that item from your budget and distribute the money to another area.  Be flexible enough in the planning to make changes as they become necessary.

Work on the basis of percentages after you have established your bottom line.  Here is a standard guideline of what to include and how much of the budget they will require.

• 38.0% - Reception
• 14.3% - Rings
• 14.3% - Honeymoon
• 9.5% - Photography and Videography
• 7.0% - Miscellaneous Expenses
• 5.7% - Attire
• 4.7% - Music
• 3.5% - Flowers
• 3.0% - Invitations

Generally, most couples find themselves going over their budget by about 10%.  A great way to "plan" for this is to include that in "miscellaneous expenses."  Remember to be diligent and stay within your budget, to some extent.  Keep in mind that you are not trying to stay under budget, but rather trying to not over spend.

It seems these days that people go to weddings expecting to get some kind of wedding favor.  Wedding favors can range from the little bottles of bubbles to candy, matches, magnets, memo pads and candles.  The problem then becomes buying enough favors for all of the guests and still remaining within your budget.  Here are five tips to help you do just that.

1. Do not be afraid to shop the clearance racks.  You can find a lot of great items if you hit the sales and clearances.  You may have to do a little improvising.  Everything might not match perfectly, but if you are ok with that, then your guests will be too.
2. Buy in bulk.  There are several places that sell wedding favors in large quantities.  If your wedding is fairly large, this may be the way to go.  You can sometimes get a discount if your order is extremely large.
3. Make your own favors.  If you have the time and the talent, this might be the best option.  You can control the cost of the materials and the overall project better this way than if you were to just buy the favors in the store.  This also makes the favors a little more personal.  Your guests will really enjoy the fact that you put the time and effort into making the favors yourself.
4. Skip the favors all together.  If you budget is really tight, do not worry about the favors.  No guest is going to be that upset that they did not get a favor.  If it comes down to cutting the guests list or having favors, by all means cut the favors.  Sharing the big day with all of your friends and family is more important than what kind of wedding favor they get.
5. Buy a little at a time.  If you have a lot of time before your wedding, you may consider buying the favors not in bulk, but a few at a time.  If you want to do bubbles and candy, you might buy the bubbles all at once, then the bags for the candy, then the candy itself.  Space it out a little bit to prevent paying a lot all at once.

Most of us try to plan our wedding with some sort of budget in mind.  Here are a few tips to help you save some money on your wedding invitations and help you stay within your budget.

Shop around for your invitations.  Do not just buy them from the first bridal catalog you get.  You would be surprised at how many places carry invitations now.  You can get them printed from several different websites and mail order catalogs.  You can also buy kits to print them yourself from office supply stores, discount stores and warehouse stores.  You can even get them from the same place you get the dress and tuxedo.

Different printing techniques can also affect the price.  Engraving is a beautiful look to go with, but it can be expensive.  You might want to think about thermography or raised ink, which is less expensive.  Then there is always laser printing, which is probably the least expensive alternative.  But it is flat ink, similar to what you print on your home printer.  Choosing the printing technique is merely personal preference and really depends on your budget and how formal your wedding will be.

Other ways to help keep the cost down is to avoid some of the extras.  Jackets, bows, reception cards and lined envelopes are all extra things that add a nice touch to your invitation, but also add expense.  If you are really trying to stick to a budget, you might think about eliminating some of these extras.  Most people will not even notice that they are not there.  If you choose not to have a reception card, you can have the reception information printed on the invitations.

Another way to save money is to purchase a standard size invitation.  The bigger and heavier the invitations, the more expensive they are to mail.  Odd shaped invitations also cost more to mail.  Instead of buying the reception cards and registration cards, you might print them yourself.  You would still have them in the invitation, but they would be on a lighter weight paper, so the postage would be less.  The post office will charge additional postage if the envelope contains something that causes the surface to be uneven or contains very rigid items like wood or metal.

One final way to save money is to proof read the order before it is submitted.  Most companies charge for a proof of the order.  They also have charges if the order has to be changed once it is submitted.  The fees might not be very much individually, but having several can cause the expense to rise.   

There are several items that are necessary to your wedding, but can cost quite a bit.  Staying within your budget is important.  Here are some tips to help.

Flowers:
Flowers, as everyone knows, are a big part of the wedding.  If you want to have fresh flowers at the ceremony, be sure to shop floral wholesalers.  They will probably have large quantities and if you cut out the middle man (the florist), it will save you money.  Be sure to use flowers that are in season and abundant.  Using flowers that are out of season or rare can be pretty expensive.  If you are going to be using artificial flowers, go to craft stores and hoppy shops when they have sales.  You may have to go to several to get all that you need, but the amount you save may be worth it.  If they do not have the quantity that you need, see if they can order them for you.  Try making the bouquets and boutonnieres yourself.  Even if you only end up making the bouquets and buying the boutonnieres, you are still going to save money.

Food:
Remember, lunch is cheaper than supper and finger foods are cheaper than a meal.  Also, buffets are cheaper than having servers and chicken and fish cost less than red meat.  Keep the food simple.  The guests are not there to eat; they are there to share your special day.  The meal is just an added bonus.  If you cannot afford to feed everyone, then don't.

Alcohol:
If you are planning on having alcohol at the reception, but it from a discount store.  Do not buy it from a liquor store because the prices can be much higher.  Discount stores have sales and most of the time you can return the unopened containers.  If you budget is really limited, you might think about not serving alcohol.  It is just an added expense that might not be necessary.  If you do want to have alcohol, you might consider having a cash bar with a limited selection of drinks.

Music:
If you are going to have a DJ, shop around.  Before you decide on one, see if you can come to an event he or she is playing, or at the very least, ask for references.  The DJ you have in mind may be the lowest priced one available for a reason.  You want to make sure you are getting the best there is to offer for the price you can afford.  If you are thinking of going with live music, go to the local colleges and post a message on the bulletin boards.  A local college band will usually cost less.  Again, be sure you hear them play before you decide to choose them.  The last thing you want at your reception is a bad band.

Wedding Cake:
If your budget is really tight and you or someone you know can bake, by all means make the cake yourself.  Just be sure to test it before your wedding.  Your guests will thank you for your practice. 

Your wedding style should reflect the styles and tastes of you, your groom and both of your families.  Once you have agreed on the style of your wedding, the other decisions pertaining to the big day will become much easier for your.

Consider the following questions when you are deciding on the style of your wedding:

Do not be reluctant to select a less expensive wedding style that reflects your hobbies or interests.  For example, if you and your groom are avid horse lovers, you may choose to have your wedding on horseback followed by a casual, outdoor barbeque.

Usually the more formal the wedding, the more expensive it is.  Weddings held in the morning or afternoon are usually less expensive of the food and the amount of formality.  Saturday is usually the most popular day for a wedding ceremony, while June and October are the most popular months.  There may be discounts available for other days and times.  Check with the ceremony site as well as the reception venue representatives on their policies for off season rates.  Expenses can be kept lower if you hold the ceremony at the same place as the reception.  This is especially true at country clubs and hotels.  These venues will have staff and supplies readily available.

More and more weddings are being held on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons for better rates.  Try to avoid a holiday wedding.  Holiday weddings can be very expensive due to more advanced planning and competing for sites and caterers.

Select your style, make a realistic budget and have the wedding of your dreams.

Generally, the food cost can be the most expensive element of the reception.  There are those who believe that if you provide the food, you will save a great deal of money.  But there are additional expenses to consider when planning for the food cost.  First of all, the chef will need plenty of room and several cooking utensils to prepare the food for a large number of guests.  He or she will need ample storage space in freezers and refrigerators that can accommodate large trays.  You will also need a large crew of people to be responsible for keeping the food trays filled and attractive during the course of the meal.

Most catering services will charge you a "per plate" rate, which means one plate per person. On average, a caterer charges $35 to $40 per plate depending on the menu you select.  But remember, this price includes the servers, the food, the table linens, dishes, silverware, tax and tip.  If you think you can provide a meal for less than that, then by all means, go for it.  But remember, on your wedding day, you will want to focus your energy on what is happening and not on whether the food table is running low on mini-quiche and broccoli florets.

Another way to cut back on expenses is to host a dessert reception.  This is best served following an afternoon wedding, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.  Cakes, pies and a variety of candies and cookies can be made well in advance and kept frozen until 24 hours before the reception.  All of these desserts displayed on silver or crystal platters, which can be rented from most party rental companies, looks lovely.  If you decide to have this kind of reception, be sure to make arrangements with a trusted friend or relative to return the platters on the next business day so you will not be charged a late fee.

Ultimately, the decision of who prepares the food for your reception is up to you.  Keep in mind that sometimes hiring a professional will save you a lot stress and money in the long run.

The time of day you schedule your wedding ceremony and reception will affect your budget in a substantial way.  If you are able to avoid meal times like noon or six o'clock, you will save the expense of serving lunch or dinner to your guests.  You will also save on alcohol expenses as well as bartender fees.

Here are a few options to be considered:

• Have your wedding in the morning like 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. and then serve a light champagne brunch at your reception.  There is no need to serve hard liquor at a morning event, but if you would like, offer Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers in addition to the champagne fountain.
   
• In the spring or summer, after an early afternoon ceremony, have a tea dance reception.  You can serve finger sandwiches, desserts and champagne or a fruit punch.
   
• For a more formal ceremony, hold your wedding in the late afternoon and then serve hors d'oeuvers and mixed drinks.  Your guests will be ready to go out to dinner on their own after the reception has ended.

You will also find that by scheduling your wedding in the morning or early afternoon, your expense for the reception entertainment will be less expensive.  Some bands and DJs offer discounts (20% or more) during these off-times.  You may find that banquet halls or other reception venues offer a discount for the same reason; as long as your reception ends early enough for them schedule another event.

There are ways for you to have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank.

Today, the average cost of a wedding is between $20,000 and $30,000!  Of course this total will vary greatly depending on your personal style and expectations, as well as where you live.  If the cost of living is high, then be prepared to pay more for the various services required for a wedding.

There are ways to save for your wedding if you intend on having a year or longer engagement.  Begin a savings plan that you can commit to and try to save 10% to 20% of your monthly earnings; however, be realistic and reasonable with that amount.  You do not need to live like a pauper during the time leading up to your wedding.

Here are just a few tips to help you save money:

• Skip buying coffee in the morning and have a cup of coffee from home.
• Bring bottled water with you to work instead of buying drinks from the vending machine.
• Reserve going out to dinner for special occasions.
• Keep your car parked; walk, car pool or take public transportation.
• Cut down on book and magazine purchases by visiting the public library.
• Through your bank, arrange for automatic deposit into your savings account each pay period. 
• Look for bargains at the grocery store and do more cooking from home. 
• Control your utility costs; set your thermostat to 72 degrees in the summer and 65 degrees during the winter.
• If you must take out a loan for your wedding expenses, shop around for the lowest possible interest rate.

This simple discipline will result in substantial savings for your checkbook.  If you find yourself tempted to buy those killer shoes or that adorable jacket, ask yourself if it is more important than the wedding of your dreams.

Inexpensive, Special Details to Make Your Wedding Memorable

Ask any wedding planner, event coordinator, or anyone who has ever attended a memorable reception.. .it’s all the special, personal touches that truly make guests feel welcome and happy to be a part of things. When it comes to your wedding and reception, it’s important to incorporate unique and intimate details that have significance for you and your groom, and will add warmth and personality to your event. In even the most subtle of details, you can tell the story of who you are as a couple, and invite your guests to be a part of your wedding in a very real, very charming way.

Just as important as the effect of these "sweet nothings" is the fact that, during tough economic times, you can find little, meaningful ways to make even the most budget-conscious wedding feel as though it was designed by an A-List wedding planner. Throughout this week, we’d like to offer some stylish, affordable options that will make your wedding completely memorable while staying well under budget.

A Few of Your Favorite Things

Step one: we encourage you to think about your favorite things, and the things that are important to you both as a couple, and then find ways to work those details into your wedding. Do you have a favorite park where you love to sit and hang out? Why not host a reception in the park itself? Share a love for old movies? You can project black and white scenes from your favorites on plain white walls for instant, inexpensive drama. Love to travel together? Use postcards from your favorite places as table numbers or even Save the Dates. These are just a few examples of how creative thinking can add impact and save money. Read on for more creative inspiration.

A Little Help From Your Friends

Are you obsessed with your cousin Suzie’s cupcakes? Ask her to bake a huge batch to be stacked as a decadent, different wedding cake. Does your fiance’s best friend play a mean guitar? Invite him to play during the ceremony or even play the music for your first dance. Envious of your mom’s gorgeous handwriting? Ask if she’d be willing to address your wedding invitations or to write guest names on place cards or table settings. Whether as your wedding gift or for a fee, your loved ones will love the opportunity to contribute something meaningful and personal to your big day. By incorporating sweet, nostalgic, and even homemade touches like these, you’ll be sharing a piece of yourself with all your guests.. .and you’ll save yourself some money along the way!

Food

Consider serving small portions of your favorite signature dishes in place of an extravagant multi-course meal. Whether you love comfort food (think mac and cheese in shot glasses, and mini cheeseburgers), or have a flair for the exotic (sushi stations, wine and cheese pairings), your guests will appreciate the personal touch of tasting the foods you love. An added bonus is that with this type of meal, guests don’t necessarily need formal seating. You might set up individual serving stations or have cocktail-type seating where guests can graze while socializing.

Another thing to realize is that catering doesn’t necessarily have to be costly. If your reception location allows it, consider bringing in food from your favorite local restaurant. And we don’t necessarily mean 5 star! That casual Mexican spot you go to share margaritas, or the thai place around the corner that know you by name, just might be the perfect solution to your reception needs. And, if you’re willing to go "all-out" with the theme, you can save even more money by serving the meals on paper plates or plastic serving ware from the restaurant itself. Sure, it’s not traditional, but it’s fun! And your guests will be so grateful for the delicious food and festive atmosphere, all they’ll see is charm, not cheap.

Drinks

Did you discover a great drink on your last vacation together? Why not serve that as your signature cocktail? Another option is to find a local brewery or regional winery and order a few cases of signature wine and beer to serve your guests at the reception and during dinner. By not having an open bar, or by not serving hard alcohol, you’ll save hundreds, and you’ll get the chance to introduce your guests to something new.

Decor

Pick a location that’s meaningful to you, and the setting will be perfect no matter how much money you spend. Think outside the box here — local parks, public beaches, restaurants and even bars have the capacity to host your event. So think of someplace special and just ask what they can offer.

The best piece of advice we can give you is to work with what you’ve already got! Hosting the wedding reception in your parent’s back yard? Play up the natural beauty of the green trees with minimalist white lights and hanging lanterns. The effect will be beautiful.. .and inexpensive to execute. What’s more, guests will feel that special feeling that comes naturally with celebrating literally in your own backyard! If you’re splurging on a decadent reception at your favorite fancy restaurant, play up the elegance that already exists with candles casting a natural glow from every angle. It’s an incredibly inexpensive way to add a dramatic, elegant effect.

Serving

Mismatched china can create a gorgeous, trendy effect. Rummage through your own collection, borrow from family and friends, or scour local shops for deals on small quantities of plates and bowls. Stick to one color theme (all things white, cream, and gold look fabulously shabby-chic together), or go for a more colorful feel with vibrant, mismatched hues, shapes, and sizes. The effect will be cozy and completely unstuffy. . . and it’s a great way to bring in family heirlooms or pieces that are sentimental to you.

Guest Favors

Goodie bags with coupons and mementos of your favorite places along with the stories that make them special (10% at the restaurant where you had your first date, free entrance to the museum where you fell in love, a cookie from the bakery that you visit every weekend, etc.) These are all great ways to let your guests feel closer to you on your big day, and they are also things your friends and family will actually use, enjoy, and appreciate.

Music

Load up the iPod! Instead of hiring an expensive DJ or band, just rent some powerful speakers and make a few great playlists. It’s the best way to ensure you’ll hear the songs you want to hear, anyway. Bonus Idea — Send guests home with a CD full of the most memorable songs from your DIY wedding album. Your guests will think of you and your wedding every time they put the CD into rotation.

Seating

Instead of renting a truck-full of chairs, consider buying (or building!) long, banquet-style table and wooden benches. You can cover them with beautiful fabric or let the natural wood create a rustic effect, and they’ll allow your guests to sit comfortably without having to pay for lots of expensive rentals (and the cost of setup). For a smaller outdoor affair, you could choose to go totally comfy and casual and invite guests to sit on oversized pillows and blankets on the grass. Ideas like these are functional and memorable — guests will be thrilled to spend the evening at something other than the standard 10-person circular reception table.

The Guest Book

Consider compiling a scrapbook of photos highlighting the great times with all your friends and family. Guests will love browsing the photos and recalling the memories they’ve shared with you, and they’ll have fun finding places to "sign" by their own pictures!

Flowers can end up being one of the largest expenditures of your entire wedding and reception. Expect to spend 15-20% of your entire wedding budget on flowers. However, no adornments are more beautiful or festive than wedding flowers, so it is well worth the investment. But you don't need to take out a personal loan to pay for your floral arrangements.

Here are 10 money saving tips to help you while you shop for your wedding flowers:

1. Purchase your flowers from a wholesaler.  If you live near a major metropolitan area, chances are there is a flower supplier nearby. You can purchase the wedding flowers and make the arrangements yourself with the help of your bridal party, or enlist a talented friend to be in charge of the task. Buying directly from the supplier cuts out the middle man, the florist. You'll save money this way because you won't be paying the markup that the florist would charge.
2. Organize floral arrangements strategically. Bouquets and boutonnieres are pretty much essential, but you may want to forego bunches at the end of each row of chairs during the ceremony so that you can afford truly lovely centerpieces for each table at the reception. Or vice versa. If you insist on having arrangements at the end of the rows and at the reception, keep them simple, You don't have to have extravagant arrangements everywhere. People are there to look at you. not the flowers.
3. Select wedding flowers that are in season and native to the region you live in.  Remember when choosing your flowers to keep in mind when and where you're getting married. If you pick local flower that are in season they will be more affordable than exotic or imported varieties. If you really must have some exotic type of flower not grown in your area you might want to consider using silk flowers. They look like the real thing, but are usually about half the cost.
4. Use a combination of real and silk flowers. Silk flowers cost less and often can be rented. That way you don't have to burden your budget any more than necessary and you're also not stuck with a whole bunch of arrangements after the ceremony and reception are over.
5. Recycle: Transfer the flowers from your ceremony to your reception. You can also rearrange the flowers from your rehearsal dinner for your cocktail reception. Bridal bouquets can double during the reception for the head table, cake or gift tables. There's no reason to buy double the flowers when you can just reuse them.
6. Share Expenses with another bride. If your ceremony site is having more than one wedding that day, contact the other bride and talk about sharing decoration expenses.
7. Use alternatives. Use alternatives to wedding flower arrangements, like candles, favors, balloons, potted plants, etc.
8. Buy on Sale. Purchase candles, white lights and other decorations after the holidays when everything goes on sale. After Christmas is a great time to buy these items at a huge discount. Buying flowers on sale can be a good and bad thing. It's good because you save money, bad because they might not have the quantity you need.
9. Simple is best. Have your bridesmaids carry a single flower instead of a bouquet. If you want a bouquet, consider having just a few blooms of one type of flower and tie it with a ribbon.
10. More filler. Use more greenery, baby's breath, tulle for decorating and less flower blooms. Blooms are more expensive than the alternatives so use them as an accent to the arrangement instead of the main ingredient.

1. Consider purchasing your cake from a non-commercial baker who works out of his or her home.

2. Consider buying your cake from a culinary school. If students are baking and decorating wedding cakes as part of their curriculum, you may be able to get a really great deal on a cake.

3. Keep decorations simple. Don’t select a cake with elaborate decorations.

4. If you want an elaborate cake, ask your baker if you can provide some of the extras. You can find sugar flowers, ribbons, dragees (round edible sugar balls) and marzipan at cake decorating or pastry shops.

5. Order an elaborate, smaller "display" cake for the ceremonial cake cutting. Then have sheet cakes of the same recipe and design made to serve the guests.

6. Consider having a small cake for the ceremonial cake cutting and cupcakes decorated in a similar fashion to the ceremonial cake at each place setting. Decorated cupcakes can also be set at the cake table, stacked on a tiered server of some kind. Cupcakes are a great idea if you are not into lavishly decorated cakes and are on a budget. It also adds a little fun and individuality to the reception.

7. Don’t save the top tier. Many couples save the top of their cake to eat on their first anniversary, yet don’t eat it because after a year in the freezer, it is does not taste very good. Time does not improve the quality or appearance of wedding cake. If you want to preserve the tradition, try keeping just one or two pieces of the top tier. Or, for your anniversary, have a duplicate of the top tier made.

8. Consider asking for a cake topper on your gift registry or as a wedding shower gift. Make sure you are clear on what type of topper you want.

9. Order less cake. If you plan on serving a dessert in addition to the wedding cake, or having a sweets table, plan on fewer servings of your cake and serve smaller portions.

10. Don’t have a groom’s cake.

If you are beginning to plan an ‘encore" wedding, do not assume your parents will be willing to finance the event. The financial responsibility lies with you, and your groom. If a family member, or close friend, offers you help financially, you may accept graciously and show your appreciation.

Your parents may offer their home as the site, or agree to cover the cost of food. Some parents may even want to write you a check to help with your wedding expenses. Again, accept the gift, and let them know how much their support means to you.

Be sure to discuss finances with each other before the wedding. It may be a difficult subject to cover, but it needs to be done. Many people feel that talking about money matters will spoil the romantic feeling leading up to the wedding, when actually it will have the opposite effect. The exchange of difficult information and good communication can ease anxieties and eventually find solutions to any problems that may have been discovered.

Money conflicts are one of the major contributors to divorce, so you should be prepared to discuss your regular income, inheritance money, retirement funds, material assets, child or spousal support payments, tax liabilities, pending lawsuits, any financial help to family members, money management, credit card debt and insurance policies.

Other important topics to discuss would be future plans, such as whether or not you will want to have children together, who will move into whose home, any health or emotional problems and, if children are in the picture, parenting styles. All of these subjects need to be openly, and honestly, discussed before you take that second walk down the aisle.

If either of you refuse to talk about one, or more, of these topics, this should be a big red flag! Do not embark on another marriage if the lines of communication are not open. So many couples just assume that everything will fall into place once the wedding is over. This is unrealistic. Be sensible, be honest with each other, and you will be ready for you new life together.