How to Beat the Budget Blues WJ’s TOP TEN MONEY SAVING TIPS
 1. PICK A WEDDING DAY WITH A DIFFERENCE
Nearly 70% of all weddings take place between May and October each year and it doesn’t take a genius to work out that where there are lots of brides competing with you for locations, limousines, and florists, the price will go up. If you schedule your wedding in one of the “off season” months you are guaranteed to get a much better deal from nearly all your suppliers. Hotels especially are keen to get wedding bookings during the quieter months and some will even reduce their rates by as much as 25%.
Busy holiday periods such as Christmas and New Year’s should also be avoided as hotels, caterers and bands are likely to be busy with holiday parties. Your best bet? Set the date for sometime in January, February (other than around Valentine’s Day, when the flower prices peak), or March. Alternatively, you should be able to negotiate a good rate for a mid week wedding - even opt for a Friday or Sunday wedding if you think your guests won't mind taking a day off work.
2. BE AN EARLY BIRD
If you’re the average couple, your biggest wedding cost will be for food and beverages at the reception. A beautiful morning brunch will set you back less than a sit down dinner. And unless you have really outrageous friends, there will be far less alcohol poured before lunchtime. Better to have a wonderful morning reception than be forced to pinch pennies for an evening event.
3. SELECT A NON-BRIDAL BRIDAL GOWN
You don’t need to wear a wedding dress to look like a bride - bridal gowns aren’t the only white dresses in the world. The line between wedding dresses and evening wear is becoming increasingly blurred so you may well find your dream dress among the women’s evening wear section of a department store. (Maybe even on the sale rack!) You might even find that the perfect gown for you is a more-affordable bridesmaids style, done in white or ivory. However if only a designer wedding dress will do then check out the web - ebay have a great wedding section where you can find new and once worn dresses at bargain prices
4. BE SAVVY WITH YOUR DECORATIONS
Spend your money on the things people will see the most throughout the day - not things they’ll only glimpse momentarily. Your guests may not notice the flowers that decorate the end of each pew as they take their seat, but they will notice the centrepieces on their tables.
Areas to try and make a good impression are your mass booklet or ceremony programme, wedding cake, bouquet and buttonholes.
Less important are extra flowers to adorn your wedding cake table (the cake itself will capture their attention) chair decorations (these are forgotten as soon as guests take their seats) and expensive favours (most guest forget to bring them home anyway). Candles at your ceremony or your reception are a great way to add drama and style with little cost, especially compared to floral arrangements.
Another budget-friendly decorating touch is to hang tiny, white twinkle lights, swathed in tulle, but the best decorating tip of all? Pick a location that needs little or no embellishment - a beautiful garden, a fully-restored historic building, or a spectacular cathedral.
5. HARNESS THE TALENTS OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Don’t be too proud to ask for help. If you know that your friend is a talented singer, or your cousin is a great cake maker, don’t be afraid to ask them to help you out, you’ll probably find that they are thrilled to be able to help. Spread the word among friends and family that you’re looking for ways to keep your wedding budget under control and you may find they have hidden skills and talents you never even knew existed. Your uncle with the classic car may be willing to play chauffeur for the day, and your cousin the computer graphics wiz might be able to create spectacular wedding programs on her computer; all you’ll have to do is pay for the paper.
6. TRIM YOUR GUEST LIST
The biggest expense for your wedding will be the reception food and alcohol, so the simplest way to cuts costs is to reduce your guest list. It may be painful, but the simple truth is that there is no quicker, easier way to control your budget than by limiting the size of the event. Remember: single guests who aren’t in a serious relationship can be invited solo; you may invite parents only; and you really don’t need invite friends and family that you haven’t seen for years. If your conscience is getting the better of you, end the day with an evening party that you can invite work colleagues and surpless guests to - a simple finger buffet costs much less per head than a sit down dinner.
7. PRICE AROUND
Get estimates from several suppliers for your cake, flowers, music, reception site, etc. Then take the time to sit down and compare what you are getting for the prices quoted. Examine quality, quantity, price and service. Be careful when speaking to suppliers to ensure they give you a firm written quote including VAT and “extras” where applicable. That way you won’t be stung with any surprises. When you are satisfied with your choice and have all the details in writing, call and book them.
8. HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT
Why not cut your cake before you sit down to eat (as many couple do) and serve it as pudding? A chocolate cake is particularly successful here, especially if you put ice cream, fruit coulis and chocolate sauce in the centre of each table.
9. SHOP SMART
Do some savvy shopping in the post-Christmas and end of summer sales. First, create a scrapbook of ideas cut out of bridal magazines and brochures. Then head for the bargain shops to save on tea lights, silk flowers, costume jewellery and floaty fabric to swag the tables. Remember that items like candles are often exactly the same, whether from an expensive wedding supplier or your local pound shop.
10. KEEP YOUR FLOWERS SIMPLE
To save money on flowers, use loosely arranged hand-tied bouquets rather than intricate, wired ones. Choose flowers inseason and don't spend extra to decorate the ends of pews or the backs of chairs. Your guests will hardly notice them
FINAL WORD...
Don’t let yourself become obsessed with money. A wedding should not be about how much was spent or saved. Your day should reflect your individual personalities and priorities. Stay faithful to your personal style and a fabulous day is guaranteed.
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Planning 
I posted 4 photos on Facebook in the album "Bridal inspiration from Cannes...." 
