Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and everything just has to be perfect! The only problem with the perfect wedding is that it’s insanely expensive, right? Wrong! Of course what truly matters is that you marry the one you love and that the important people in your life are there to share the occasion with you, but it’s not wrong to want the perfect party, and you can definitely have that without spending like crazy! Here are some smart ways to save on a wedding:

• Limit the guest list. You don’t have to invite everyone you say “hello” to, or your best friend from high school if you no longer have anything to do with her. The number of guests makes a difference in price, so invite only your nearest and dearest.
• Plan for off-peak season. There’s nothing wrong with a wedding in October and it will likely cost less than the same party in June.
• Get married on Friday or Sunday. Those days are cheaper than Saturday.
• Don’t splurge on flowers. Using flowers that are less expensive and filling in with more greenery can be just as beautiful.
• Use flowers that are in season. Always cheaper than importing from halfway around the world.
• Serve just beer and wine. No need for a full bar.
• Single-page invitations. These are less expensive to begin with, and you’ll save on postage.
• Save on photography. Hire a student, or ask a photographer you admire to recommend an associate who might charge less.
• Skip a sit-down dinner. Have a less formal affair with just drinks and appetizers, or a buffet for significant savings.
• Skip the cake. 
• Don’t limit yourself to a bridal gown. You can still wear a beautiful white gown, but you’ll save if you buy a prom or bridesmaid’s gown.
• Don’t buy a new gown. Save a lot by buying from a resale shop or look into renting a bridal gown. You’ll only wear it once, anyway.
• Prioritize. Decide what’s most important to you. Spend your money on that and cut corners on other things.
• Don’t use seating cards. You won’t need them at all if you don’t have a sit-down meal, but if you do, make a decorative seating chart instead of individual cards.
• Save on music. Get students from a local music school and save a lot.
• Hire a small band. Or hire a DJ and don’t have a band at all.
• Skip favors. Or have your favors double as seating cards.

These little changes can get you some significant savings and you’ll still have a beautiful wedding.