1. Flowers or Food?
Once you’ve established your budget, make sure you know what is most important to you and your fiancé. Is the food and venue important to you? Or is hiring the best photographer in your area more important? Have a plan in place so that you know approximately how much money you want to set aside for each line item in your budget.

2. Venue Selection
Find out what’s included with your venue rental. Do you need to rent tables, chairs, linens and dinnerware? Or do they have all those items included with the rental? Unique venues such as art galleries are amazing spaces, but often you have to rent all the items required to convert the space into a reception hall. Figure all this out and make sure you have the necessary funds needed for this.

3. Trim Your Guest List
For each guest on your list it’s not only an added plate of food and drinks. Don’t forget about decor for the extra tables, linens and favours. It all adds up quickly. Don’t feel obligated to let single friends bring a date. Let them know you would love for them to bring their date, but you only have so much room. Instead seat them with people you know they’ll have things in common.

4. Save on Postage
Gone are the days where you need to include inner envelopes which can just add weight to your invitation. Sign up for the many free wedding websites available online to capture RSVPs or use a telephone number for guest to call. This will reduce not only the postage, but also another envelope and insert.

5. Setting the Date
A lot of couples are now opting for Friday or Sunday weddings. Not only will this open up the number of vendors available, but most charge premium rates for Saturday nuptials. Other ideas include a champagne and cake reception after an evening wedding, or a brunch after a morning wedding. Also think about setting a date outside the popular months of June, July and August. Winter weddings are beautiful as are spring weddings.

6. Bar Service
In order to reduce the cost of your bar bill there are a number of things you can do. If it’s an option, charge a loonie or a toonie for each drink. This allows you to recover some of the costs and also makes guest a little more accountable for their drinks. You can also have servers pour wine at the table for guest instead of having a bottle of white and red on each table. At a lot of weddings we see open bottles of wine sitting there untouched at the end of the night. Because they are opened you will be charged for them. You can also ask your caterer to limit the types of alcohol available. Having just beer and wine available for guest is a great option.

7. Favours
Have your favours do double duty as centerpieces. Packages can be stacked in an elegant way on a cake stand with a pedestal. How about individual cakes as your centerpieces? These will take the place of a large wedding cake. Have your baker make you a small cake to cut and save for your first anniversary.

8. Flower Power
Ask your florist what flowers are in season. If you are not picky about the type of flower you want for your bouquets and other floral arrangements, you can usually find flowers in your colors that are in season. Gerber daisies are always in season and come in some many beautiful colors.

9. Say Cheese!
Shop around and find a photographer that includes your negatives as a part of your photography package. You’ll be able to print as many photos as you need without having to pay $5 - $10 per photo. Depending on how many you think you’ll need, you may want to look into this option.

10. Dress for Success
Shop early for your wedding gown so you can take advantage of off the rack sales and other specials some bridal shops have. Find a seamstress that can do your alterations. Many bridal shops charge high prices for alterations in-house. Sometimes they can be almost half the cost of your dress!

And finally, hire a wedding planner. Most couples think a wedding planner will cost them more money and only brides with large budgets can afford the luxury of one. Realistically a wedding planner can often save you money by recommending vendors that they have relationships with. Remember it’s their job to keep on top of trends and vendors in the area, so often their contact list has vendors you might not have thought about that can save you money. Call Cornerstone Events and let us discuss your wedding plans with you and show you how we can help you plan a magical day within your budget.

*image from www.nebridalguide.com