Current economic times have left many people watching their spending and weddings are no exception.  It is a delicate balance between making your wedding the most amazing and beautiful day of your life, and not spending beyond what you can afford.

There are a number of ways to cut down on costs without compromising quality.  A recent forum on a bridal club website revealed some effective cost saving tips:

• Buying a bottle of wine in your shopping every week to bring down the big spend at the end!
  
• Purchase software such as Microsoft Publisher to create your own invitation and “Thank You” cards.  You can achieve a professional look for a small part of the price of having them printed. 
• Trade professional skills and time with friends.  Offer to help them in return for their help on your wedding day.
• Purchase bridal wear, decorations, accessories and other wedding related items from auction websites.  As well as general auction websites such as Trade Me, there is now also an auction website dedicated to weddings (www.weddingauctions.co.nz).  Not only can you save money buying those decorations that have only been used once, you can sell the items you don’t want to keep after the wedding to recover some of the cost.
• Have nibbles, platters and drinks after the ceremony instead of a full meal.  Alternatively, you could still have a meal for close family and put on nibbles and drinks after the ceremony for everyone else.
• Have a small reception for very close family and friends but inviting everyone to ‘dessert and drinks’.
• Ask people to pay for their meal instead of buying gifts.
• Create a travel registry at a local travel agent where family and friends can make financial contributions to your honeymoon travel and costs.
• Use the same venue for the ceremony and reception.  Venues will often give a discount or provide a ‘package’ for using them for all your wedding needs.
• Have your wedding in winter, or on a weekday.  Having your ceremony and reception outside of peak times can save you a lot of money. 

Although your own finances may be feeling the squeeze, remember that wedding businesses are also feeling the same pressure and they are keen to get your custom.  With a little bit of shopping around and getting quotes from a number of places, you may be able to get some good bargains to help drive your cost down

For a small amount of effort, and some good forward planning there are many ways to keep your wedding to a budget and still make it the most amazing day of your life.