Wedding tips, ideas and savings are what most couples want to know to help keep the wedding budget in check.  Stay organized, save money with these handy hints.

You will discover how to set priorities, get organized, and keep cost down.  You will discover practical ideas and suggestion that will help in planning your wedding.

Wedding Planning

If you have childern make them feel part of the wedding plans. Have them pick a song for the reception so there is at least one song that they can dance to.

Right after your bridal dance is a great place  to play the song and it will put the  kids into the party mood.

Wedding Flower

When working with fresh flowers, make sure that your select blooms that are full of life, insect free and with plenty of healthy leaves. Some other thing to consider:

• To prolong the life of the flowers keep them in containers that have been cleaned with a mild bleach solution then rinsed will with water before use.


• Store the flowers in a well ventilated area free from smoke and car fumes.


• Warm water will open buds and closes flowers, cool temperature slows down the development, adding longevity to the arrangement. Excessive temperatures can damage the flowers.


• Use floral preservatives (available at florist shops and craft stores) these keep the flowers looking fresh and inhibit the growth of bacteria which can reduce the flowers water intake.

If you are on a tight budget use lots of greenery. Greenery is inexpenvise and will make a great filler and you will use less flowers.

Try using potted plants and shrubs such a ficus trees which can be rented.

You may even have your own fake trees at home, or you could borrow from friends and family.  These will look charming when lit with tiny lights.

Wedding Cake

Tips for Having An Affordable Wedding Cake

• Realize that the more time spent on labor and materials will make the cake more expensive.


• If you want the look of a large wedding cake have some fake tiers made. Use Styrofoam shapes iced to match the real cake. No one will notice.


• Purchase a small wedding cake and make up the rest yourself with cupcakes or a sheet cake. 


• Avoid the use of fondant icing on cakes it is expensive.


• Have a smaller guest list.


• Bake and decorate the wedding cake yourself or have a talented friend make it for you.


• Know the cost of the cake slices before you order: some can cost as little as $1.00 - $6.00 per slice or as high as $15.00 per slice
• Consider have the cake baked and iced professionally and then decorate it simple with fresh flowers on the day.


• Borrow cake toppers, use disposable cake pillars instead of crystal.

Cost Cutting Tip

• If you want a three tiered cake but cannot afford it. You may be able to hire a three tired dummy cake fully decorated from your cake supplier.


• Have them bake your wedding cake and ice it but do not decorate it, keep it hidden in the kitchen ready for cutting, your guests will never know.


• By doing this you will get the dream cake look that you are after for half the cost. You will only need to pay for the hire of the dummy cake and the plain iced cake that you will serve your guest.

Reception

Choosing Candles Before you settle on inexpensive candles remember the old saying you get what you pay for. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• In general fragrant candles cost more.


• Natural waxes burn longer than paraffin wax.


• Taper candles burn faster and often leave a pile of wax at the base.


• Tea lights will stay lit for about 4 - 5 hours. Select ones that are in a metal container so that you can easily remove them from the votive holders.


• Votive candles can burn for up to 15 hours.


• The thick pillar candles will last two to three weddings.


• Cold candles burn slower.

When renting the chairs, never pick the cheapest. Always test the chairs out to make sure that they are strong and safe, you don’t want your guests falling over in the chairs at your ceremony or reception.

If you are having a garden wedding, find out what time the lawns are watered. You may end up with lawns that are soaked for your afternoon wedding if the sprinklers come on at 9am. So ask about the watering times and arrange for them not to water the lawn on the morning of your wedding.

Visit your reception site one night before your wedding, to see how the grounds are lit up, if fountains are turned on, paths are well lit. Then talk to the site manager to ensure that you will have the same lighting and water effects on your day.

When having an outdoor or beach wedding, supply your guests with bottled water to avoid dehydration in hot weather. Blend these to your wedding theme with ribbon, printed labels or with simple colored bands of paper fixed to the bottles with a dot of glue or double sides tape.

Make the table centerpieces yourself if you would like to save some money.

If you are having an outdoor wedding, you hope to have a nice day but what is your backup plan if the weather is not fine? Include with your invitations "rain cards" to notify your guests of an alternative location in case the weather is bad. Be prepared and don't let rain spoil your day.

Ceremony

Aisle Runner. Unless your church provides it for free, consider not using a runner.  They are often slippery, easily torn and can cause people to trip.

Wedding Attire

Dress for Less. You can get a brand-new dress of a very good price if you buy one from a bride who ended up not getting married. Check the web, local newspapers and consignment shops for never-worn gowns at good prices.

Limit the Maids If you are on a tight budget, limit the number of bridal  attendants. It will keep your  your flower expenses down(your bridesmaid's bouquets can be very expensive), the number of attendant gifts that you'll have to purchase and the cost of a bridesmaid luncheon and the rehearsal dinner.

Budget

Saturday night is the most expensive time to have a wedding reception. To save money consider a Sunday, or another day for your wedding. Morning and afternoon weddings usually have a lighter menu than an evening meal, here you will also save on your catering bill.

Stationery

Buy all your invitations at one time and ask your bridesmaids to help you address them and put them in the envelopes. It will be a great way to have a get together and will save you a lot of time.

If you are on a tight budget consider printing your own invitations. With the use of a good card making program and using your own computer be creative in designing your own invitations for a fraction of the cost of professionally printed ones.

Beauty

Most brides will cry on their wedding day so wear waterproof eye makeup on your day. Even if you don’t think that you will cry.


Try and schedule regular facials and beauty treatments for yourself. Start months before your wedding. Your skin will be glowing and beautiful on the day and you will look great in your photos.