Ideas for an Inexpensive Wedding

Opt for a smaller wedding cake.

Your wedding doesn't have to break the bank to be the most wonderful day of your life. Spend your money on the elements that are most important to you, and find inexpensive alternatives for the rest of the details.

Location

Have a small wedding at home. In summer, a backyard wedding is an inexpensive alternative to renting a location. Both city and state parks usually have event pavilions they rent out for the day for a nominal fee. Verify that electricity, restrooms and other services are available. If you are planning a church wedding, your church may also have a reception room available for your use. These rooms are usually equipped with a kitchen and everything you need for entertaining. Keep in mind that many churches do not allow alcohol on the premises.

Off-Season Wedding

Avoid the month of June when wedding prices are at their highest. A winter or early spring wedding can lower your cost on everything, including catering, party rentals and entertainment. Holidays are also popular wedding times, so choose a month with few holidays for your wedding. Lower your cost further by marrying on an unpopular day or time. Schedule your wedding for Friday instead of a Saturday. Have your wedding in the morning or early afternoon instead of in the evening. Most receptions are evening affairs and reception halls and wedding companies charge more during these peak times.

Manage the Guest List

Keep your guest list small and whittle down the cost of catering and invitations. Invite your closest friends and family instead of everyone you know both personally and professionally. A smaller guest list also allows you to choose a smaller and less expensive venue for the wedding. Limit the bridal party, too. Fewer bridesmaids and groomsmen mean you have fewer gifts to buy and less people to feed at the reception dinner.

Food and Cake

Host the reception between meal times and serve a selection of hors d'oeuvres and snacks instead of a full catered meal. Instead of choosing a top restaurant to cater your wedding, investigate the catering options from your local grocery store. Many groceries now provide wedding and party food packages through their delis that cost a fraction of the usual catered meal. Choose a small two tier wedding cake for show, but serve guests from a sheet cake. The sheet cake costs less than a large wedding cake, but you still have the smaller cake for display and photographs.

Flowers and Decorations

Choose wedding flowers that are in season, as these cost less than out-of-season blooms. Consider using real flowers for the bridal bouquets and artificial versions for centerpieces and decorations. Instruct your florist to use plenty of greenery in the displays. Greenery filler is less expensive than flowers and it provides a nice background to a display of two or three blooms. Keep the rest of your decorations simple, using inexpensive tool and ribbon in your wedding colors to make your own swags and décor.

References

• Wall Street Journal Smart Money: 8 Ways to Reduce the Average Cost of a Wedding Read more: 8 Ways to Reduce the Average Cost of a Wedding
• The Wedding Channel: Recession-Friendly Wedding Ideas