10 Ways to Cut Your Wedding Day Costs ...

Probably the most obvious way to cut wedding costs is to scale down on your guest list. Try not to feel obligated to invite everyone you went to Summer camp with when you were sixteen. Take a look at my wedding money wasters post to find out more about cutting your guest list and other items that will turn your big day into a money pit.

A big way to cut wedding costs is to get hitched in the off-season; these are months where vendors are slow and really need your business. Do your research for the area you are saying 'I Do' in to see what months you can get a discount for. In most areas early Summer to early Fall are quite busy for wedding vendors.

Getting married during the day can help you cut wedding costs since many vendors are usually booked for night time receptions. Many couples plan their vows for later in the day so they can dance and party through the night. But if that isn't a concern to you, consider a ceremony around 1:00 pm with a cocktail hour and reception that follows right after. Serving a lunch menu instead of a fancy steak dinner will help your budget in a big way.

If your venue is quite small, then why not be your own DJ to help cut wedding costs? Email your family and friends to get a few of their favorite artists and songs and start making a wedding playlist for your iPod. Don't forget to add songs for your first dance, father-daughter dance, and a fun tune for your bouquet toss!

Do some research when getting hitched around the holidays, it can either cut wedding costs or raise them. There are some, like Christmas, that work out great for venues that love to decorate. If there are lights, poinsettias, and a tree already set up, this means there will be less decor for you to buy. However, holidays like Valentine's Day might mean that floral arrangements could end up costing more since they are in high demand with many couples.

Send out postcard save the dates to cut wedding costs on your stationery items. A postage stamp in the US for a postcard is $0.33 versus $0.46 for a regular stamp. Also think about invitation suites that are thinner and don't weigh too much. If many of your guests use the internet, email your wedding day directions instead of stuffing them inside your invitations. Ours ended up needing two stamps because of everything that was included.

Hotel ballrooms are very popular and in demand during wedding season. To cut down on your wedding costs, consider an offbeat venue for your reception. Places like zoos, aquariums, and museums have kitchens and space to cater to a small wedding, if you are up to thinking outside the ballroom box! Call around for prices and compare them to what you may have paid at a downtown hotel.

Unless you have a lot going on during your wedding ceremony, you may be able to skip your rehearsal and cut wedding costs. Remember, it costs money to borrow someone's time like your Officiant, or anyone you may be hiring to sing or play during your ceremony. If you are having a rehearsal, consider hosting the celebration dinner at your home instead of going out to eat.

Instead of having an open bar, cut wedding costs by serving a signature cocktail. Your bartender will probably appreciate not having to stock a full bar, and your wallet will love you when you save money! Search for cocktail recipes that only include a few ingredients, but taste heavenly.

Don't get caught up in wedding TV shows that have brides displaying gorgeous dresses that cost up to $10,000 or more. David's Bridal is a wonderful place to shop for your dress and a great way to cut wedding costs. You can find Vera Wang's discounted dresses for under $2,000 at David's Bridal. Yes, they may not be the outrageous Wang dresses that go down the runway during Fashion Week, but they are still stunning in their own right.

Say 'I Do' in your own way, not the way Beyonce or Kate Middleton did. What are some ways you cut wedding costs, are they included on my list?