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asked you to. Be honest about what you can afford, and don't invite people just because someone asked you to. This is your special day to be shared with people you love, not a time to be a doormat. If there are people that you want to invite but you can't afford to have them all at the reception, it is acceptable to invite some people to the wedding only. Be prepared though - if you are inviting people who will have to travel, they probably won't want to attend if they are not also invited to the reception. But the invitation itself will keep the peace with them if you're concerned about family politics.

* Be flexible on your timing.

Many reception halls charge more for reservations during their busy season, which typically lasts from late spring until mid-summer. Having your wedding during the off-season can save you some cash if the hall offers lower rates during that time. If you have your reception in the early afternoon, you can get away with serving hors d'oeuvre instead of a full meal, which can save you a significant amount of money. An open bar will run up a huge bill, but if you want to provide drinks for your guests without breaking the bank, you can talk with the bartender about setting a limit to how many drinks each guest can put on the group tab.

* Do it yourself.

With a little creativity and patience, you can make a lot of necessary items for your wedding by yourself, saving money and adding a personal touch to your wedding. Favors, programs, even centerpieces and floral arrangements are all good places to save a little cash by doing it yourself. One thing to keep in mind when making your own things: simplicity is key. Unless you've been arranging flowers for years or are a master with crafts, complex designs will be too difficult to get just the way you want them. You can also turn to friends and relatives who have special skills to help make some wedding essentials and save some money. If your mom is a talented seamstress, ask her if she would be willing to make your veil or the bridesmaids' dresses. If your cousin took a course in flower arranging, ask him if he would be willing to help with the bouquets. If you know an aspiring photographer, hire them instead of an already-established pro. Use your talents, and the talents of your loved ones, to save some cash.

* Don't be afraid to ask for a discount.

Vendors are sometimes willing to knock a little off the price of their services, especially if you're spending a large amount of money with them. If you've hired your photographer to shoot more than just the ceremony and the reception (the rehearsal dinner, extra locations, etc.), ask if he can cut you a little break. If you have a large guest list and are ordering a lot of food for the reception, see if your caterer is willing to give you a little discount, or throw in something extra for free. They can always say no, of course, but it never hurts to ask. If you're having your wedding in the off-season, vendors may be even more willing to give you a price break, because they're just happy to have the business during a slow season.

Planning a wedding budget is the least fun part of planning your wedding, but it is the most essential. If you go into your wedding planning with a clear idea of where your money needs to go, the whole process will go much more smoothly, and you'll be able to enjoy your wedding without worrying about the money.

Learn more about this author, Amy Weekley.
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