50 ways to save money on your wedding

If you think you'll never be able to afford the wedding of your dreams, think again; more and more people are getting clever and cutting corners without compromising their big day. Here are our top 50 ways you can have a great wedding without blowing the budget:

1. Give yourself time. The more time you have before the big day the more you can plan for it - and save money into the bargain: with enough time, you could cover off many of the expensive items with homemade alternatives.

2. Draw up a budget. Work out exactly how much you're prepared to put towards your wedding and stick to a plan. That way you'll be able to assess what your priorities are and what you're prepared to forego. Whatever you do, don't simply use credit to pay for your wedding as debt can be a passion killer further down the line.

3. Big wedding or fantastic honeymoon - you need to decide what you want more. A week's camping can be just as romantic as a trip to the Seychelles when you've 'got the love' - and a knees- up in the scout hall can be more fun than a sit-down expensive dinner if your guests are game for a laugh.

4. Get friends to contribute to your wedding instead of buying presents. Some websites such as Buy Our Honeymoon enable guests to pay towards your honeymoon.

5. When you've got a rough idea of how much you're prepared to spend, it's often a good idea to set up a separate account so you don't get confused. If you already have the entire amount needed, transfer it into the new account - if, not, set aside what you can afford each month and pay it directly into the new account. A thinkbanking account ensures you never go overdrawn and helps you make sure all your regular payments are paid each month. Find more information on this, click here.

6. Establish how many people you are going to invite and only invite those you really want to come! Some people create an A and a B list, so they can always invite someone 'extra' if someone on the A list cancels.

7. The amount of guests could also affect your choice of venue, so be realistic: If you invite fewer guests you may be able to economise by using a marquee in your parents' garden, providing the weather holds out!

8. If you are looking for a place to house your reception, restaurants are often cheaper than specialist wedding venues and will often supply all catering, waiting-on and decorations.

9. For hotel receptions it's always a good idea to negotiate. Explain that many of your guests will want to stay over and ask for a reduction in the room hire based on this.

10. If you've got the nerve, you could hold off making a booking. You may be able to get a great last-minute deal on your preferred wedding venue if you leave it until they have little chance of getting another booking so close to the time. Just make sure you have a Plan B in mind, just in case.

11. The timing of your wedding can also affect the cost as a simple wedding breakfast or champagne reception can be far less expensive than a fully catered, sit-down lunch. Opting for midweek instead of a Saturday can save money too.

12. People drink more at an evening 'do'. Although there are ways to budget for this it may be better to opt for breakfast - when people drink less.

13. Off-season saves money: most weddings happen between May and September but by opting for a less busy time you could save on everything from the venue to the photographer.

14. Church or Registry Office? Do you really want to walk down the aisle if you have no religious leanings? A Registry Office wedding is more affordable and you can put the cash saved toward other things.

15. Give yourself a budget per person for the catering. Do you have a friend with culinary tendencies that you can call on to help with a simple main course, for instance?

16. Opt for a buffet. That way you can ask guests to contribute their favourite buffet dishes - and cut down on costs for waitressing.

17. If you're planning a sit-down meal, limit the number of courses you serve. A simple salad to start with, followed by a more elaborate main course and the wedding cake for dessert, should be sufficient.

18. Consider wedding insurance. If you have to cancel your big day for whatever reason, wedding insurance can cover the cost of venue cancellation and other costs.

19. Cut the cake costs. One small, beautifully decorated wedding cake is all you need for the display during the reception. Have a simple version to cut into for your guests.

20. Borrow, borrow and borrow! Not cash - but from your wedding dress to the crockery and cutlery for the reception, friends should be keen to help and it all adds to the fun.

21. Find a friend with a fancy car. Why splash out for limos when you can enlist the help of friends and a few metres of ribbon? They'll probably enjoy the responsibility and you could save hundreds of pounds on transport costs.

22. Make your own invitations. A homemade invitation with the personal touch is often more appreciated than an expensive, store-bought version. You could use photos of yourselves with individual captions for each of the guests or try a bit of origami using nice paper. Don't forget to include RSVP postcards.

23. Do it online. Almost everyone (except the occasional granny) uses the internet now so why not create an e-invite? Design it yourself and ask for an email response from everyone. You'll save on invites and get a swifter response.

24. How much does a meringue - style wedding dress really mean to you? If you'd rather look chic, choose a more informal off-the-peg version from the high street stores and save money. What's more, if you keep it simple you'll be able to wear the dress again on nights out. Alternatively, look for hire shops that specialise in special event dress hire and get the dress of your dreams for a fraction of the cost.

25. Get it on eBay. Designer wedding dresses simply clutter up your closet after the big day which is why so many are put on eBay. You could even track down a morning suit for the groom and bridesmaids' outfits.

26. Well groomed doesn't need to be expensive: your husband-to-be might prefer to wear a standard suit to a penguin outfit so offer him the (cheaper) option.

27. Be kind to bridesmaids. If you're going to have bridesmaids, don't force them to wear expensive creations that will never see the light of day again. Instead, why not simply stick to a chosen colour and set a budget, then let them choose their own?

28. Beauty on a budget. Do you really need to hire someone to apply your makeup and tease your hair? Track down the best turned out of your friends and have fun practising your 'look' a few times before the day.

29. Capture the day without paying epic amounts for your wedding video. Most people have access to video recorders and some mobile phones can even add 'reportage' style footage. Ask a friend to be the wedding photographer or, for a more informal approach, get your guests to take it in turns to film the event. Some companies will hire out good-quality video cameras and can even supply lights if necessary.

30. Ask for the negatives. If you've hired a photographer ask for the negatives so you can make your own prints.

31. Limit photographer hire time: you may only want a professional for the formal shots so cut costs by negotiating a reduced time.

32. Be alternative about the venue. Even if you haven't got friends or family with a garden big enough to house a marquee you don't need to resort to highly expensive wedding venues, particularly if you're getting married in the summer. A local landmark, park or National Trust site may give you permission to use their grounds for a small fee, or you could try your local museum, art gallery or whatever is most appropriate for you.

33. Make your own party favours and table decorations. Look at bridal magazines and craft sites for inspiration; you could make something unique and personal to you for just a few pounds.

34. Hire tables and chairs from a specialist or ask around your friends to see if they can help: if you cover tables with cheap paper tablecloths they'll all look the same anyway!

35. Find entertainment on a budget. Whether you want a DJ or a band for your reception, try asking around friends first. Does someone have a brother who is a mobile DJ or do they possess a good music collection? A good local student band could cost less than an average DJ so look in the small ads or ask around. You could always hire sound equipment if necessary.

36. Say it with flowers. Don't get carried away by fantastic expensive floristry as a simple bouquet can often be more effective. Fresh, in-season flowers tied with a simple ribbon can match buttonholes and posies for a fraction of the cost.

37. Blooming marvellous savings. Ask a friend with green fingers to help - with enough time they could even get growing something special for your big day.

38. Don't operate a free bar. Decide what you're prepared to pay for and stick to it. Wine at the table during the meal and some champagne or cava for the toast is probably more than sufficient.

39. Serve punch. Make your own punch from fruit juices and cava: tastes delicious and costs much less.

40. Get bargains on booze. Work out what you're planning to offer your guests and, if you're using your own - or a friend's - venue, see what discounts you can get if you buy in bulk.

41. Choose a venue that allows you to bring your own alcohol. Even if you are charged for corkage, it can still save you money.

42. Get kids' food for the youngsters. They'll be happy with a burger, fries and a fizzy drink so why provide a grown-up meal? You could even hire a kids' entertainer with the cash you've saved.

43. Old, new, borrowed and blue. Compile a wedding CD of your favourite tunes and provide copies with a personalised cover as gifts for your guests.

44. Do you really need expensive wedding shoes when your gown's floor length? Simple ballerina pumps will be just as effective - and probably more comfortable - providing you're tall enough to carry them off.

45. Get wise about wedding gifts. Make a list of realistic practical things you really want and avoid getting thirteen toasters. Alternatively, ask for cash; it may sound mercenary but it's probably the most useful present of all!

46. Impose a strict 'end' time for your reception to avoid paying overtime for bar, waitressing and entertainment staff plus prevent a bar bill sky rocketing!

47. Buy in bulk wherever possible: table decorations, vases and favours can be found online and discounted for bulk purchase.

48. And afterwards... Being a honeymooner can help you get better hotel rooms, upgrade flight seats and promote all-round bonhomie, providing you let everyone know. All companies tend to smile on honeymooners so make sure you broadcast the fact!

49. Get married abroad! Instead of hiring a venue for hundreds of people why not take your immediate family abroad for your big day. It can work out cheaper, and you're often guaranteed the sunshine too.

50. Begin married life the way you intend to go on and don't fall into the trap of paying for your wedding day for years to come. There's more advice on living within your means on this page.

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