12 Fantastic money-saving tips

1 - Telephone Shopping

Let your fingers do the walking and phone around before you wear out shoe leather and visit suppliers and service providers. Let them know that you are comparing prices and that you might be willing to give them your business if they offer you a favourable deal. Remember it's your money they want, so don't be embarrassed to say 'thank you' and hang up if they insist that their prices are none negotiable and final.

2 - That Dress.

If you just have to have a designer gown you can hire one.
There are many brides who wish to recoup some of the cost of their wedding dress and so are will to part with it soon after their weddings. So if you have no qualms about wearing someone else's happiest day gown there are savings to me made by buying a second hand gown.

3 to 8 - Florists - cake makers - hair stylists - manicurists - photographers - stationery

Use your friends and your friends friends. There are many naturally gifted florists, cake makers, photographers, manicurists, hairdressers and make make-up artists out there who haven't as yet considered the possibility of becoming professional.
But just to be safe we suggest, that like their professional cousins who you would normally hire you test their skills out before you let them lose on the real thing.
Get the hair dresser friend to do your hair at least once before you invite her to take on the task of being the wedding hairdresser.
Get the cake maker friend to bake a cake and the florist friend to throw together a bouquet that you've seen in a magazine.
Stationery too is an item that a talented 10 year old can churn out on a home computer with one of the readily available software packages that are sometimes given away free with magazines. Or if you don't know a talented 10 year old it might be worth acquiring the skills yourself as some of the programs come with idiot proof guides.

9 - The Big Day

Avoid saturdays and the hot summer months and go for a weekday between late September and May instead, because venues and photography and honeymoons are likely to be cheaper of season.

10 - Entertainment.

An over loud, caterwauling, plainly tuneless band, can spoil and evening. And a DJ who's too firmly rooted in one era can bore the newly wedded stars out of your eyes. So take care when seeking a cheap alternative to tried and talented professionals.
But don't forget that in every crowd of wedding guests, there are a good number of exhibitionists waiting in the wings, who would love to be asked to step up and grab the microphone, especially if it is attached to the sound device, known as a karaoke machine.
And you never know, many of the not so gifted guests, might be tempted to clear their throats and belch a ballard to the magic sound of laughter and encouragement from the well oiled and encouraging audience.

11 - Reception

You can if you like still have a seating plan but go for a buffet rather than a sit down formal meal. You will cut down on costs as there is no need for waiting staff.
Alternatively dispense with the seating plan and place settings and just have decorated tables where guests can sit or stand as they please.

12 - Booze

One of the major costs of any wedding is alcohol. If it is provided by the venue the charges can be fairly high. Why not take the opportunity to sail across to France, Cherbourg or Calais where great savings can be made on all sorts of wins and champagnes.
You should check on the venues corkage charges before you book. Of course there is no corkage if you hire a marquee.

____________Madeleine Dietrich_________