Plan Your Budget Wedding: Sensible Wedding Planning Alternatives and Creative Tips for Your Dream Wedding
20 Tips that can make your day and save you money

When choosing location, consider the surroundings. Parks and gardens provide naturally beautiful backdrops.

Budgets may have been cut, but the I dos have not slowed down. Wedding Statistics and Market Research shows that although the average cost of weddings decreased 17.5 percent in 2008, most brides reveal that they would rather trim the unessential luxuries in order to save money rather than postponing their big day. 

To help brides and their families make sound choices, Certified Wedding Planners from Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Renaissance Hotels & Resorts around the world offer resourceful tips to help save the day and plan a budget wedding  so you can put money towards other things – like honeymoon travel.

1. Event size: Decide your party size and priorities early so that you can clearly allocate your budget. Then stick to it!
2. Locations choices: Consider all location settings, such as a wedding hotel, a friend’s house, restaurants, parks or other event venues.  Bear in mind space limitations, catering restrictions and parking. Choosing  wedding venues that offer the most services you need in one place usually is most cost effective and efficient.
3. Lead time:  Book far in advance and you will have more locations to choose from that fit within your budget.
4. Time of day: Choosing to have a lunch versus a dinner reception could lessen cost per head significantly.
5. Be creative: Receptions can take on many creative forms. Consider an afternoon tea or cocktail party – both of which minimize food/beverage costs. Both options are fun and will allow you to enjoy the company of friends and family.

6. Use the cake as dessert.  Make sure to shop around for a baker that fits both your wallet and your sweet tooth.

   Serving style: Buffets might be a better alternative for larger wedding parties because they require less serving staff and can provide more value for money.
7. Dessert: Instead of desserts and wedding cake, serve the wedding cake only. It will be just as sweet and satisfying.
8. Wedding cake: Shop around and ask for recommendations. In addition to your traditional baker, small home-based bakers or a family friend might be able to handle your needs just as well.
9. Hors d’oeuvres: Shortening the cocktail hour will reduce the amount of hors d’oeuvres actually needed.
10. Drinks: Choose a cash bar instead of an open bar. Or replace premium liquor with wines and beer.
11. Flowers: Depending where you are in the world and what time of year it is, choose local flowers that are in season.  Exotic flowers can double or triple your cost.
12. Centerpieces and giveaways: Be creative and think outside of the box. Personalized ideas involving handcrafted items, poems, candles and such could have sentimental value at a very low cost.  
13. Photos: In many cultures around the world, it is common practice for the bride and groom to have a photo shoot before the wedding. Tastefully displayed pictures around the reception area can replace flowers or other expensive decorations.
14. Invitations: Beautifully decorated blank invitations can be purchased directly from print shops and printed on your own printer. Family members with calligraphy skills or good handwriting can chip in to address the envelopes.

15. Simple candles can create the perfect atmosphere without costing a fortune.

    Dress: There are many options for dresses today. Consider if there is a family heirloom that can be remade or a white evening dress that might be tweaked.
16. Music: Choose between a live band and a deejay. Is a live band a high priority for you? Are you willing to give up something else in your budget for the band? A deejay can play various types of music where a band might be limited.
17. Free room: Most wedding hotels offer free rooms for the bridal couple the day before and day of the event. This could help save cost.
18. Accommodations: Negotiate a good rate for out of town guests at your wedding venue if it offers rooms. If your venue is a hotel, you should be able to negotiate a good rate depending on your group size.
19. Photography: Single-use cameras at guest tables help capture intimate moments that you might miss and are cost effective, helping to cut down the official photographer’s time.
20. Family: Always look for talent within your circle of family and friends. From bakers to photographers, most people would love to pitch in and help on a special occasion.

Simple ribbons and stylish gift packaging are cost effective ways to pull together an elegant look at the table.

Timing is everything for major events because time directly translates to more choices. Make sure to give yourself enough time, stay organized and most of all, once everything is said and done, remember to enjoy your special day!