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Step 1
Make a list of all the items and duties needed for the wedding, then see what you really need. It’s surprising how many costs can be cut.
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Step 2
Keep the ceremony small, but have a big party afterward. In the Scottish tradition, there is a small ceremony with only close friends and immediate family. After the wedding dinner, everyone else is invited to a ceilidh, or large dance, where light snacks are served and a cash bar is hired. This reduces costs considerably.
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Step 3
Make your own invitations. With the quality of home printers these days, you can produce decent quality invitations in your own home. Design and word the invitations exactly as you like on a word processing program, and then print them on special paper easily found in most craft stores. Print-you-own invitations come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and styles.
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Step 4
Buy a wedding dress off the rack or through a discount shop. It’s shocking how many brand new, gorgeous dresses are available for under $300. Even if you have your heart set on a designer dress, do your homework. You might be able to find one similar in design but considerably less expensive through an outlet or online supplier.
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Step 5
Hold the ceremony and reception at a friend or family’s home, or rent a community hall. If you can have a venue for free, go for it! You’ll be able to tailor it to your needs. If borrowing space is not an option, consider renting a community hall for the evening. It will be much less expensive than a fancy function room in a catering hall.
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Step 6
Have a friend or family member cater. If you’re fortunate to have a chef or great cook in your midst, find out if they’ll cater the event as a gift to you. You provide the food materials, and they do the work.
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Step 7
Go with a buffet instead of sit-down dinner. Buffets are a lot cheaper to produce than sit-down dinners. Even if you are hiring an outside caterer, consider this option for the wedding dinner.
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Step 8
Ask a friend or family member with a luxury car to drive you to the ceremony rather than renting a limo.
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Step 9
Arrange an alternative bridal luncheon. You don’t have to take your bridal party out to a extravagant lunch to say thank you. Consider taking them bowling for an evening, or to a roller-skating rink. Even a hike in the hills and a fancy picnic, if they’re outdoors people, is a nice alternative to a elaborate lunch.
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Step 10
Be creative. Style does not necessarily mean costly. Look through magazines for ideas that you like, and then consider inexpensive ways to replicate them.
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Step 11
Use your resources. If you have friends and family members that are skilled in different areas, ask for their help. It’s likely they’ll be more than happy to assist! This is a great way to handle items such as flowers, makeup, catering and music.
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Step 12
Prepare in advance. If you give yourself plenty of time before the wedding, you can keep an eye on sale racks and discount shops for bargains. This is a great way to find favors, table decorations, and other random items.
