Think you can't have the wedding you want because you can't afford it? There are tons of easy ways to shave dollars off your wedding budget. We've put together our best tips:

The space
Consider a night other than Saturday. There will probably be better availability for Friday and Sunday (or even Thursday) dates, and you may be able to get a lower rate on the space.

• Think off-peak hours and lunch/brunch/teatime. Rates will probably be reduced, and the food for these meals is often cheaper.

   

• If you book the reception space far ahead -- a year or more -- you may be able to negotiate a better price.

   

• Instead of a grand ballroom or banquet hall, think creative and less expensive like university- or publicly-owned buildings, community centers, the church or temple hall, a photography studio, an art gallery, a friend's loft, a theater, a restaurant's private room. Note that you may have to purchase a permit to marry in a public place, and you might incur other expenses such as renting tables, dinnerware, etc.

   

• Borrow items like punch bowls, dishes, tables, glasses, and linens if you can.

   

Flowers
Choose flowers that are in season and/or locally grown -- they're less expensive than out-of-season or exotic flowers that must be shipped to your area.

• Trim huppahs, trellises, pews, etc., with more greenery than actual blooms. They will still look lush!

   

• For the bouquets, use multiple, less expensive flowers like baby's breath and daisies, and fill them out with ivy.

   

• Or walk down the aisle carrying one or two large, stunning blooms like orchids, tulips, or sunflowers, tied with a ribbon. Sometimes a single stem says it all.

   

• If you're getting married in a naturally flowering place like a park or garden, you may not have to bring in many flowers or plants at all. If you're marrying around a holiday, your church or temple may already be decked out beautifully.

   

• Take ceremony flowers along to the reception site. Or arrange to share the cost of ceremony decorations with the couple marrying directly before or after you that day.

   

• Mix silk or dried flowers in with fresh ones in table centerpieces.

   

• Or put pretty flowering plants on the tables as centerpieces.

   

Food & Liquor
Don't assume you'll save on wait staff if you choose stationary hors d'oeuvres like crudités and cheese and crackers. Talk with your caterer about cost differences between stationary and passed hors d'oeuvres, and more affordable ingredients.

• Select lower-priced entrees like chicken instead of beef or pasta instead of scallops. Simpler vegetables, like broccoli instead of asparagus, will help cut costs, too.

   

• Minimize courses. If you're having a cocktail hour, do you really need an appetizer course? Do you need soup and salad?

   

• Opt for local or in-season ingredients to save on importing costs.

   

• See if your favorite neighborhood restaurant caters.

   

• Don't give guests a choice of entrees on the day of the wedding -- either request meal preferences on your reply cards or select one entree that appeals to all tastes.

   

• A good wedding cake is often dessert enough -- you don't need pastries and ice cream, too (maybe just some fresh fruit for the hard-core health buffs).

   

• Think about a cocktail reception with just drinks and hors d'oeuvres, or a champagne-and-cake reception after the ceremony. Time your celebration appropriately (early or late afternoon), so that guests will not expect a full meal.

   

• Get a small, decorated cake to cut during the reception and supplement it with a sheet cake of the same flavor that's cut in the kitchen for guests.

   

• See if your caterer offers a selection of standard cakes as opposed to ordering a customized design.

   

• Serve only wine, beer, and soft drinks at the open bar, plus a round of champagne for the toasts.

   

• During cocktail hour, instead of an open bar, serve passed wine in glasses. Or serve traditional wedding punch -- you'll need less liquor, and you won't have to use the most expensive brands.

   

• If your caterer and reception site allow, buy the alcohol yourselves; you may be able to return unopened cases, instead of paying your caterer or banquet manager a flat rate for a set amount of open-bar hours.

   

• Close the bar an hour before the reception ends and provide soft drinks, sparkling water, and coffee. This should also reduce the risk of tipsy guests attempting to drive home.

   

Music
Ask your DJ or band about cutting back on special effects like lighting and disco balls.

• Hire students from local universities or music academies to play or sing during the ceremony.

   

• Request a talented friend or relative perform a solo at your ceremony as a wedding gift.

   

• Hire in-house musicians from your church or temple for your ceremony.

   

• Ask bands about the minimum amount of time they will play at a reception. You might have them play for three hours, from the first dance to the cake cutting, with supplementary taped music for the cocktail hour and to wind down the party.

   

• Ask your bandleader if the group can be scaled back to a three- or four-piece combo instead of a larger orchestra -- you'll also save on tips, meals, etc.

   

• Find out if any of the musicians play another instrument; if the pianist also plays the guitar or violin, perhaps he or she can also provide cocktail hour music and you won't have to hire another musician.

   

Invitations
Consider thermography, a less-expensive process than engraving, which still gives a raised look to the words.

• Ask stationers whether or not a package price is available if you order all your stationery at once (invitations, thank-you notes, announcements, etc.).

   

• Send invitations that, when completely assembled, are light enough to require only a single stamp for mailing.

   

• For weddings with less than 50 people, formal invitations are not required; you can send handwritten invites on the paper of your choice.

   

Photo & video
Compare hourly fees and package deals to see which is more cost-effective for you.

• Ask your photographer and videographer if they can limit their hours of participation; for example, can they only cover the first couple of hours of your reception instead of the whole thing?

   

• Find out how long the photographer will keep your negatives; you may decide to buy prints later, after the other wedding bills are paid.

   

• Inquire about discounts if you purchase all your prints or extra copies of your video at once.

   

• Talk to your photographer and videographer about limiting special services, such as handpainted accents on photos or special effects in video.

   

• Talk to your photographer and videographer about their need for assistants; some visual professionals can work alone to help you save costs.

   

• Save on disposable camera costs by putting them at every other, instead of each, table and encourage guests to pass them around.

   

The dress
Start shopping right away. The more time you have, the better you'll be able to find a version of your dream gown in your dream price range.

• Think about buying a top-of-the-line bridesmaid dress -- in white. While it may not look as impressive (or be cut as well) as a bridal gown, you can probably be outfitted for under $500.

   

• Keep in mind that simpler, unembellished dresses may be less expensive than ornate ones decorated with lots of crystals, beads, and lace.

   

• Buy a sample dress. If you're lucky enough to fit into a dress right off the rack -- as opposed to having it made for you -- you can save money. Where you'll need to spend: You'll probably be on your own for the cost of alterations and cleaning that may be needed before the wedding.

   

• Borrow a gown. Ask girlfriends whose dresses you liked -- and who are your size -- if they'd mind if you wore theirs. This may be touchy -- most women consider their dresses sacred. Be selective about whom you ask.

   

• If it (generally) fits you and you like it, wear your mom's dress. You can update it with alterations or by adding embellishment such as beads and lace (at a cost, of course).

   

Transportation
Use limousines for the minimum amount of time -- instead of having the driver wait, hire a limo to go to the ceremony and reception and a town car to pick you up at the end of the reception.

• Only hire a limo for the bride and groom; arrange for relatives to drive attendants, or ask them to drive themselves in groups.

   

• Inquire about different types of cars for hire -- luxury limos might contain a TV and VCR, unnecessary for your wedding day. A corporate limo might be perfect for your needs.

   

• Borrow or rent a gorgeous sports car or antique car from a friend or relative, as their wedding gift to you.

  Critical Decisions is a special report produced by MSN.
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