Top 25 ways to save money on your wedding celebration…

The Wedding Daze understands that weddings are expensive. But with these cost cutting tips, you can ensure that your wedding day won’t break the bank.

Reception

1. Cut the guest list. This will slash your catering costs, save on invitations and even the number of centerpieces. Don’t invite the great aun

tie and uncle that you haven’t seen for years!

2. Think off-peak season and save thousands! Many wedding venues offer discount for getting married mid-week or off-peak (such as October/November time).

3. Skip the Saturday wedding – always the most expensive option!

4. Have bigger tables so you need fewer centerpieces and tablecloths. Your guests will enjoy the additional company!

5. Shop the off-season for extra decor -- get modern black vases on sale after Halloween and pretty pink ones after Valentine's Day. Plan in advance and always keep an eye of for a bargain. This helps to spread the cost over the time running up to your wedding day.

Flowers

6. Swap out costly flowers -did you know peonies can be five times more expensive than roses?

7. Stick to just one or two kinds of flowers.

8. Buy flowers that are in season.

9. Include non-florals, like lanterns or feathers.

Food & Drink

10. Have a buffet or BBQ instead of a sit down meal. This will cut thousands from your food bill, as the most expensive things at a wedding can be the venue and the catering.

11. Offer one drink such as beer, wine, or a signature cocktail instead of a full bar.

12. Skip the champagne toast or simply toast with the drinks that are already on the table.

Cakes

13. Order a small one or two-tiered cake to cut and then have a larger basic cake in the kitchen ready to serve for desert.

14. Keep the add-ons simple. Use fresh flowers, not sugar ones.

15. Reuse ceremony flowers for the cake and the present table.

Stationery & Favors

16. Get single-page invites to save on postage.

17. Give out one favor per couple or get charity favors – Oxfam do a great selection.

18. Make your cake the favors.

19. Email your save-the-dates or set up a Facebook group and keep your friends up to date on your wedding plans.

20. Make your own menu cards, name setting & table names.

Get creative – visit your local Hobbycraft store.

Photography & Music

21. Have a photographer you love but can't afford the prices? Ask them if they have an associate shooter who will do your wedding for less.

22. Ask for off-peak discounts or have alternative photography such as rock the dress shoot!

23. Opt for a smaller band or a solo singer.

24. Hire a band or DJ who can do both the ceremony and the reception.

25. Ensure your DJ plays your style of music, give them a comprehensive play list before hand and make sure they stick to it!

Before you begin to plan your wedding, sit down with your partner and decide what are the most important aspects of your wedding that you would like to allocate your budget to. This varies from couple to couple and depends on your personality and style. Important factors too many are the venue, the wedding dress and the photography. Decide between you which aspects of your wedding you would like to spend the most money on. So if you are a fashion conscious couple, then your wedding attire may get a large chunk of the budget or if you into amateur photographer you may want a stunning album and photographs to remember your day by – the choice is yours, remember it is your day.