Eight Ways to Save Money on a Cheap Wedding

Many couples who ask for a cheap wedding are on a budget. They are not stingy, just practical. Anyway, It's not what you spend that makes your wedding special. It's the happiness you share with your guests. Stay within your budget, and save money with these useful tips for a cheap wedding.

1. Invite to the wedding only the most important people in your life, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, and close friends. With a small guest list, you can hold the wedding and reception in a smaller venue. Caterers quote the cost of food on a per plate basis, as much as $25 or $50 per guest. So with a small wedding you have big savings.
2. Choose a place for the wedding that isn't in the wedding business. Consider a neighborhood park, a museum, the church auditorium, a historic house, or a recreation center as your wedding site. Did you know that hotels and restaurants charge a thousand dollars or more just for the room? Then they insist that you use their own caterers and their liquor. Naturally, the prices are outrageous. Make sure your wedding location allows you to bring your own food and beverages, and doesn't charge extra for the privilege.
3. Save money on the reception food. Ask your favorite local restaurant to cater the event. The charge for food could be as cheap as $10 a head. You already know their food and the menu choices. The restaurant can provide china, glasses, silverware and linens without any extra fuss. Serve the meal buffet style, so you don't need servers. Wedding guests will enjoy mixing and mingling around the buffet table, too.
4. Save money on the wedding cake. If you order a tiered wedding cake from a bakery, the cost starts at several thousand dollars, and goes up. Instead, order simple layer cakes, and decorate them with ribbon and flowers. Think about alternatives to a big wedding cake. Would you enjoy frozen ice cream cakes for the wedding? Perhaps someone in the family will bake and decorate cupcakes. A tiered cupcake stand makes a charming display. Big box membership stores and supermarkets also have wedding cakes for sale.
5. Save money on the beverages. Serve only beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages at your cheap wedding reception. For a champagne toast, use a modest brand of bubbly, and buy only just enough for one glass per guest.
6. Save money on the entertainment at the reception. A live band is expensive and even a lone disc jockey will charge at least $500 for the occasion. Provide the music yourself with a mix tape of your favorites, or purchase a cd collection of popular wedding music.
7. Save money on wedding flowers. Fresh flowers are always beautiful, but they are expensive. You could mix silk flowers with some fresh flowers, and no one would ever know the difference. You can also save money by getting flower arrangements from the local supermarket. For table centerpieces at the reception, use inexpensive live plants, which will make lovely favors for the guests to take home.
8. Decorate simply. Strings of white lights put everyone in a festive mood. Banners, ribbons, balloons and family portraits don't cost much. Guests may enjoy seeing family pictures of the bride and groom projected on the wall, like a movie. To cover the tables, use colorful fabric yardage from the fabric shop.