Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life. As little girls we start dreaming about our big day and before we’ve even reached our teenage years we have every detail planned and recorded in our diaries. We know exactly what kind of dress we will wear, what the color scheme will be, and how we want our hair. A wedding is a realization of a cherished dream, and it should be the most special day of your life.

 Unfortunately, sometimes it is a little too easy to get so wrapped up in the wedding and making all your dreams come true that the costs escalate and soon your beautiful wedding has taken on gigantically expensive proportions that weren’t factored into your girlhood dreams. So to stop your wedding becoming a burden, here are some tips to cut down costs and still have your dream wedding.

 Tip 1: Cut down on the guest list

You really don’t need to invite everyone you went to preschool with or the guy at your office who you don’t really like but you exchange pleasantries with. Invite people who you love, who you keep in contact with and who you would miss if they weren’t there to see you walk down the aisle. If you still have a guest list that seems overwhelming then get a bit brutal:

Delete all obligation invites.

Not every singleton has to bring a partner. In fact, your wedding may be the perfect time to match make!

Don’t invite kids.

Leave out all the distant cousins “twice removed” that you’ve never actually met. Trust me, they won’t be missed.

 Tip 2: Shop around

Don’t just accept every quote you get for your flowers, decorations or invitations. Explore your options and see how you can cut costs – maybe you can work out a package deal with the wedding venue or a wedding co-ordinator. Also try look for discounts and sales, speak to suppliers and search the Internet.

 Tip 3:  Change the date

Wedding venues are substantially cheaper during winter and autumn months. So just make some seasonal wardrobe changes and you can still have a beautiful wedding at a reduced cost. And the plus side is that you don’t have to worry about sweating (or as we ladies like to calling it, glowing) and your make-up melting. Or you can even change your wedding day to a weekday or a Sunday. These days aren’t as in demand as Saturdays so you can probably wrangle a cheaper rate.

 Tip 4: Simplify the food

Decide which is easier on the pocket – a buffet or a set menu. If you go for the set menu, most caterers will provide you with several menu options. Instead of choosing expensive food like caviar or lobster, rather opt for more simple food like shrimp and chicken. They are just as tasty and will be half the price.

 Tip 5: Get creative with music

If a 12-piece orchestra is a little bit out of your price range, don’t despair. Live music is not a must-have for weddings. You can make use of a good DJ or even hire a jukebox where you get to select your own songs. The guests will have a blast picking their favorite tunes and you won’t have to wonder what to do when your band needs to take a break.

 Just remember, have fun! This is all about you and your man, and starting your life together. No one will notice or even remember that the flowers weren’t orchids and your tiara is the same as the one your cousin wore for her wedding. A wedding is about love, commitment and romance. If you focus on that and don’t let the little details overshadow that, it truly will be a day to cherish.

While you might want the luxury of a professional wedding planner, you might not be able to deal with the expense. Therefore, you should consider appointing a relative or a trusted friend as your wedding coordinator.

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