Save Money on Wedding Planning: Photography, Flowers, Music, & Catering

When an engaged couple finds themselves planning a wedding with a less than unlimited budget, decisions have to be made about what elements of the wedding should be cut, which should be limited, and which should be substituted. For example, much money can be saved by choosing a less expensive venue option than the estate that has turned itself into a full time wedding venue.

Of course, every decision has its sacrifice. That is why it is important for a couple to consider each option carefully in their wedding plans so that they can choose the options that are important to them rather than simply running out of money and having to make due from that point on in the wedding planning process.

Photography: There is nothing like high quality wedding photography to capture the moment and that comes from an individual that is both skilled with the camera and with people. But, if you choose to cut back on the wedding pictures, designate a friend (know any camera buffs?) to take certain key pictures in the ceremony then invite your guests to take pictures of the reception and email them to a specially designated email account. The second is a good idea anyway because it would take an army of photographers to even have a chance of capturing all the angles and moments your guests will be able to capture.

Wedding Flowers: In the case of an outside wedding choose a location with plenty of greenery. This will reduce the need for flowers. Choose a member of the wedding party with an eye for décor and whose tastes parallel the bride and then pick up the flowers they need at a floral supply store, order them from a reputable online flower vendor – or even pick them up a some place like Costco! By making use of the gifts and talents of people in the couple's sphere of influence much can be shaved off a wedding budget.

Wedding Reception Music: IPod. Load an IPod up with the music the couple wants to celebrate with, plug it into the sound system and walk away. The downside here is that the couple then have no one skilled at reading and encouraging the wedding guests to get up and celebrate.

Catering: This might sound like heresy…couples are not obligated to serve a full meal at the wedding reception. It is a choice. So...

1. Stay away from dinner hour and a couple can cut back to light refreshments, whatever that means in the context of their local customs. 
2. Avoid the sit down dinner in favor of what has been called, "grazing stations".  It is easier, and therefore cheaper to have a couple places around the room where the guest can help themselves to a high end treat than to pay servers etc. 
3. Many weddings held in churches are covered in this department with people from the church preparing and serving the food.

The biggest nuptial money saving tip of all is this: Weddings are a celebration with the couple's closest friends of the union of two souls. As such the celebration should find a way to stay within budget as well as reflecting the tastes of the couple.  This is achieved by planning carefully to save money on their wedding celebration.

More money saving tips on your wedding planning:

Save Money on Your Wedding Dress

Save Money on Your Wedding Flowers

Save Money Scheduling Your Wedding

Save Money on Your Venue, Invitations, & Gown

Save Money on Your Cake, Gifts, & Honeymoon

Save Money on Wedding Planning