Savvy tips for wedding savings

You've always dreamed of your perfect wedding day, but now you're looking at everything you'd like to do on your budget and your head is spinning. Have no fear -- a bride who knows how to get the most bang for her buck is a happy bride. And the best part: your guests don't have to feel like you skimped at all.

Here are a few ways to cut costs on your major wedding expenses.

Wedding Gown - Don't buy the first fabulous gown you try on at the most expensive store in town. Start looking early, so you have the time to really shop around and find something you love in your price range. If you're shopping at the top boutiques in your area, ask if they're having any upcoming sample sales or trunk shows -- both of which are great opportunities to get a discount. Filene'ss Basement's annual sample sale has great deals, too -- and is worth checking out for the pure spectacle, even if you come out without your dream dress. There are also stores and websites that sell 2nd hand dresses in great condition -- though you want to be sure anything you buy is free from any lasting stains or odors that you wouldn't want with you on your wedding day. Another option: buying fabric wholesale and have a local tailor do your stitching.

Decor - The first key to savings in this area, choosing a picturesque location with great lighting and views that doesn't require much in terms of decoration. Then when you're adding flowers, stick with what your florist can pick up locally that's in season to stretch your floral budget. You can also use less costly items like candles, ribbons or fresh fruit. Make sure your flowers are doing double duty and that your florist transports your ceremony arrangements to your reception -- they're a great way to decorate your bar or buffet. And consider using potted plants instead of cut stems, you'll spend less on assembly time, and there's the added bonus of making an environmentally friendly choice. Plant them in your yard afterwards and enjoy them for years to come.

Catering - Choosing to have a serve-yourself buffet versus waited table service can bring considerable savings. As can choosing to have a limited bar, instead of serving every premium option. Have your bartenders make up a large batch of one signature cocktail using a reasonably priced liquor -- Just-married Martinis, anyone? And it will look like you made your choice for the fun of it. Another way to save: closing the open bar early. How many of your guests will still be boozing during coffee and dessert anyway.

Cake - Stick with wedding cake for dessert. If you're shelling out a few dollars per slice, don't pay twice to have additional desserts made. Pick a truly yummy dessert that you'll feed your guests and not something that's just there for the Kodak cake-cutting moment. Tip: choose butter cream frosting, rather than the more expensive fondant, and decorate with a few fresh flowers, instead of costly edible florals or other decorations that are crafted by hand. There's also the fake cake trick. Have your tiered masterpiece made with only one real cake tier for you to cut into and a few others made of Styrofoam -- or display a cake that's much smaller than what's needed to feed your crowd. Then have less expensive sheet cakes in the kitchen ready to be served. Works every time.

Music - Have a friend play DJ, or just use your own CDs or iPod instead of hiring a costly professional or live band. Just be sure your sound system can play to the volume and sound quality you'll need for your space, and that you do a thorough sound check. Or if you want to do live music on the cheap, hire students from a local university music program. This is an especially good idea for your ceremony music.

Invitations - Use thermograph or laser printing, instead of the most expensive engraving or letter press. Or do your invites yourself -- buy the materials and do the printing on your laser printer, then polish off the assembly and calligraphy. You could also use a Grocco machine to try your hand at playing printing press. Take postage into account when you're choosing your invitation size and shape. You'll be surprised at how the stamps to mail something square or a tad too large will up your total shipping costs considerably. Or you could cut all your invite costs, and your carbon footprint, and use an e-invitation to do all of your inviting and rsvps online.

Venue - All-inclusive venues, like restaurant or catering halls, often are far less expensive per person than hiring your vendors plus renting all of the tents, tables, chairs, linens, portable restrooms, lights and more that you'd need to host your wedding in your parents' backyard. Another cost saving tip: have both your ceremony and reception in one location -- then you won't need to rent glamorous transport for you and your wedding party to make a fancy exit, or to hire buses to take your guests between the two locations.

Favors - Many people love the beauty and fun of favors, but you should consider favors an add-on expense that would be nice to have, and not a must-have. If you choose to have them, favors make a great DIY project, since they'll feel special and personal, even if they come out looking homemade.