Did you know that the average cost of a wedding today is $16,000?!? But there are plenty of ways to be cost-efficient with your planning and still have the wedding of your dreams. Here are some suggestions for holding a wonderful wedding without breaking the bank.

Bridal Gown

• Start shopping right away. You won't feel rushed or pressured into buying something, and you'll be able to shop smart.
• Keep in mind that simpler, unembellished dresses may be less expensive than ornate ones decorated with crystals, beads and lace.
• You can also buy a sample dress . . . find one right off the rack as opposed to having one made for you.
• Renting and borrowing are also options. Or if it fits (for the most part), wear your mother's wedding gown.

Flowers

• Use flowers that are in season and/or locally grown - they're less expensive than out-of-season flowers that must be shipped to your area.
• Trim huppahs, trellises, pews, etc., with more greenery than actual blooms. They will still look lush!
• Use multiple, less-expensive flowers in bouquets, like baby's breath and daisies, with ivy to fill them out.
• Walk down the aisle carrying one or two large, stunning blooms, like roses, orchids, tulips, lilies of the valley, or sunflowers, tied with a ribbon.
• If you're getting married in a naturally flowering place, like a park or garden, you may not have to bring any flowers or plants. If you're marrying around Christmas or Easter, your church may already be decorated beautifully. (But beware the Valentine's Day wedding, when rose prices will be outrageous.)
• Take the ceremony flowers along to the reception site.
• Mix silk or dried flowers in with fresh ones in table centerpieces.
• Put a pretty flowering plant on the tables as a less-expensive alternative.

Food and Beverages

• Stationary appetizers cost less than passed hors d'oevres, which also require wait staff.
• Choose less expensive entrees, like chicken instead of beef, pasta instead of scallops. Simpler vegetables like broccoli instead of asparagus will cut the cost, too.
• Cut down on courses. If you're having a cocktail hour, do you really need an appetizer course, soup or salad?
• Instead of a seated dinner, consider a buffet or pasta bar.
• Have a wedding cake as the only dessert and eliminate any other sweets.
• Consider a breakfast, a brunch or a tea to save money on food and labor. People will also drink less liquor at these times of day.
• Get a small, decorated cake to cut during the reception, and supplement it with a sheet cake of the same flavor that's cut in the kitchen for guests.
• Think about a cocktail reception, with just drinks and hors d'oeuvres, or a champagne-and-cake reception after the ceremony. Time them appropriately so that guests will not expect a full meal.
• Serve only wine, beer and soft drinks at the open bar, plus a round of champagne for the toasts.
• Serve traditional wedding punch - you'll need less liquor, and you won't have to use the most expensive brands.
• Buy and provide the reception liquor yourself instead of paying a flat rate to your caterer or banquet manager for a set amount of open-bar hours.

Invitations

• Consider thermography, which is a less-expensive process than engraving, but still gives a raised look to the words.
• Ask stationers if a package price is available if you order all your stationary at once (invitations, reply cards, thank-you notes and napkins).
• Send invitations that are light enough when completely assembled to require only a single stamp for mailing.

Music

• DJs generally will cost less than live bands.
• Hire students from local universities or music academies to sing or play during the ceremony.
• Ask a talented friend or relative to do a solo at your ceremony.
• Hire in-house musicians from your church or temple; since they already receive a salary there, their fee may be nominal, or at least less than that of outside musicians.
• Consider hiring a three- or four-piece combo instead of a larger band or orchestra - you'll also save on tips, meals, etc.
• Ask if any of the musicians play another instrument; if the pianist also plays the guitar or violin, perhaps he or she can provide cocktail-hour music, and you won't have to hire another musician.

Photographs

• Compare hourly fees and package deals to see which is most cost-effective for you.
• Have a professional photographer take the formal pictures at the ceremony; have guests take all reception photos.
• Call an art school's photography department and check out some of the students' portfolios.
• Find out how long the photographer will keep your negatives; you may decide to buy prints later, after the other wedding bills are paid.

Reception

• Friday is a less-expensive day to schedule a wedding. And consider off-peak months and hours (Nov. - Apr. and lunch/brunch/teatime).
• You may also be able to negotiate a better price if you book your reception a year or more in advance.
• Be creative; think of less-expensive sites, like university buildings, publicly owned buildings and parks, community centers, the church or temple hall, the backyard, the beach, a photography studio, an art gallery or a restaurant's private room.
• And try to borrow items such as punch bowls, dishes, tables, glasses and linens.

Transportation

• Use limousines for the minimum amount of time.
• Ask about different types of cars - luxury limos might contain a TV and VCR, which are unnecessary for a wedding day. A corporate limo might be perfect for your needs and will cost less.
• Borrow or rent a gorgeous sports car or antique car from a friend or relative.

Video Memories

• Ask if the videographer will do a scaled-back package for less money. Eliminate special effects like extra editing, for example.
• Have one roaming camera at the reception and multiple cameras just at the ceremony. Too many cameramen at the reception might be overwhelming to guests, anyway.
• If you have a friend or relative with a video camera, ask him or her to videotape your wedding as a wedding present.

Happy cost-cutting!

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