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For the bride (or groom) who doesn't have the creativity, the time, or the desire to do everything herself and doesn't want to elope, there are still ways to save money.
As someone who has been in the wedding industry (a wedding florist, photographer, singer, coordinator) for more than two decades, I feel this thread needs the opinion of a professional. I have read the other posts on this topic and I think they ALL have great ideas. But not every bride has the time, confidence or ability to become Martha Stewart overnight and create her own beautiful wedding. For others, eloping is just out of the question.

So, as a wedding florist who has helped MANY a bride have a beautiful, top-notch wedding on a budget, here are some of my ideas for saving money while still having someone else, a professional, work your wedding.

First and foremost, I say, "Use your magazines wisely." If you don't have the money to waste on buying bridal magazines, spend a day at Barnes and Noble or your local magazine stand just looking through all the wedding periodicals. Most places will not care at all if you thumb through pages and get ideas. If you see a magazine that has alot of things that interest you, but that ONE. Also, don't look at beautiful photos in the magazine and think, "There's no way I can afford that." Dream big, pay small.

Flowers - Find pictures of flowers (bouquets, corsages, centerpieces, etc.) that you like and then take them to your florist. Try to choose a florist that specializes in weddings. Keep in mind that if you walk into a store-front florist, and all you see are daisies and carnations and red roses, that's probably all that florist knows. If the store-front doesn't look like your magazine pictures, you're probably not going to be happy with your flowers if you use that florist. Not all florists are good at what they do and you don't want to spend money on something that you're going to be unhappy with.

Next, talk to your florist about your budget and BE HONEST. Don't be ashamed of your budget. Know your colors and location, too. Ask your florist about doubling-up on your flowers. Here are some great ideas on using your flowers twice but paying for them once. Let's assume you are going to have a church wedding and a reception, either at the church or elsewhere, after the ceremony. Pay for your altar flowers - one or two larger arrangements to go at the front of your church. Then have those flowers moved to your reception to flank the dance floor, sit on the

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