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You can easily spend as much on a wedding as you would a CAR, or for some people, a HOUSE! After planning literally hundreds of weddings I can offer you some great tips that will save you big bucks.

The top expenses for any event are (most expensive first): Reception, Photography, Flowers, Clothing, Ceremony. Of course, it all depends on your priorities, and your own budget. To some people, a small budget is $10,000 - to some, it may be $1500. Adjust to fit your circumstances.

For each item here are some ways to save.

1. Reception - (see my hub on Negotiating with Reception Venues!) the least expensive is to have a reception at someone's home, with the host helping do the food and decor. Next up, find a local VFW or other community center or small hotel. Often they are not busy and the cost to rent is minimal. Keep in mind you may need to rent tables, linens, chairs, dishes, etc. Churches are also an option, they may have a fellowship hall that already has chairs and tables in it, and then you can do the ceremony there also.

When having a reception at a location other than someone's home, a huge expense can be the food. You can choose to have the reception during the afternoon (2 pm, after lunch and before dinner) when guests don't expect to be fed a big meal! If you choose to have food, have a friend or relative "cater" if they know how, and of course your Venue must allow outside catering.

2. Photography - ok i don't advocate skimping too much on this because photos are all you really have left after all is said and done. But if you have a friend or family member who has a GOOD digital camera, as in, a semi-professional one (8 mp or higher), and they know how to use it, you may be able to get them to do the photos as a gift to you. You can download a list of photos that you'll want to get, from many internet
sites. Afterwards, you can have your prints made from Shutterfly or
Mpix.com, including some beautiful photo albums and other gift items.

If you dont have a friend or family member who can do this for you, check on Craigslist or Google "wedding photographer XXXX" where the XXX are your city. Check the yellow pages. Shop around and get the best deal you can, where the photographer gives you the images on disk, and you own the copyright. (important!) This way you can get your own prints made and save tons of $$$.

3. Flowers - Again if you have a creative friend or family member who can do your flowers for you, this is going to be very inexpensive. Make sure that

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