No matter what your budget is, the best way to get a handle on costs is to be organized. You need to sit down with your partner and decide on a budget and this can be broken into six main categories: reception, music, photography, flowers, bride's attire and miscellaneous.

As a rough guideline, about 50 percent of your budget should be allocated to the reception. This will include things such as site fees, food, drink, rentals, service and cake. About 10 percent should be allocated to each of the other five categories.

Here are some tips to stretch your wedding budget:

Choose to have your wedding in off-peak times

Try to avoid peak times in the wedding industry. Choosing a less busy period will give you the power to negotiate better prices. It stands to reason that if there are lots of brides competing with you for locations and services, the price goes up. November through to March are usually the busiest times of the wedding industry.

Your biggest wedding cost will most likely be the reception. Consider your alternatives. A beautiful morning brunch will set you back less than dinner fare. Also people usually drink and eat less an lunchtime and meals are less expensive, so arrange to have a lunch reception and you will save a considerable amount.

Cut your guest list

Cutting down your guest list will save you hundreds, if not thousands! Guests who are not in a relationship should be invited solo. You do not need to invite friends that you have no caught up with in the past 5 years. Limit family guests to immediate family and grandparents and not distant relatives, if your parents agree.

Purchase a pre-loved wedding gown

Pre-loved gowns of different styles and sizes can be found at Second Hand Shoppes or online.  Alternatively, choose a wedding gown that is not specifically a bridal gown so that you can were it again.

A few other suggestions

-Save on postage by ordering invitations that will only require one stamp.

-When it comes to your wedding photos, compare hourly rates and package deals to see which is more cost-effective. Save by having a photographer take formal shots and then ask your guests to take candid shots with disposable cameras.

-Limit what you have on offer at your reception if you are having an open bar. If you decide on including hard liquor, limit it to two or three options such as gin or vodka.

-When it comes to decorations, invest your money on items that people will see the most throughout the event. Guests will notice the bouquet more than the flowers that decorate the end of each pew. You do not need to to adorn your wedding cake table with flowers or ornate items. The cake is where people's attentions will be. Candles add style and elegance for a fraction of the cost of large floral centerpieces. 

-When choosing your wedding flowers, it is always a good idea to choose something that is in season as they will be cheaper. Flowers such as gerberas, daisies, carnations and chrysanthemums are usually very reasonably priced. Choose irises, violets, daffodils and tulips in spring. Lilies are plentiful and most affordable in the summer months. In autumn, choose sunflowers and orange blossoms to reflect the season. Roses and orchids are usually quite pricey despite the fact that they are widely available throughout the year. 

-Instead of hiring or purchasing all your items, ask friends and family if you can borrow things such as punch bowls, glasses and serving trays.
Courtesy of ARA Content