In today’s turbulent economy, planning for a wedding can be even more stressful than usual. Nearly every bride and groom experiences a bit of stress when it comes to budgeting for their wedding, regardless of their financial situation. If you are one of these couples, try following these simple tips to help keep costs down while still having a magnificent wedding:

• Reduce your guest list. There is no need to invite every friend of every relative or every single person you work with. Keep the list simple and you will save money while also making your big day even more special for you and your guests.
• Choose a banquet hall. Don’t spend the extra dollars for a grand ballroom or cathedral when a well-decorated banquet hall can be just as elegant.
• Choose a sensible menu. You don’t have to go over the top with your menu choices. A poultry entrée is an affordable and satisfying choice.
• Limit the flowers. There are plenty of decoration options, such as ribbons, candles and fabrics that can create just as dramatic of an impact without the high cost.
• Hire a DJ. Live bands are more expensive than a DJ, but a skilled DJ will still get your guests moving and may even double as an emcee.
• Serve mini-cakes. Save money on your wedding cake by having one smaller cake for display and serving mini-cakes or a sheet cake to your guests.
• Haggle prices. Vendors expect you to haggle with them, so see if you can bring down the prices before signing contracts.

By taking these simple steps, you can easily create a wedding plan that fits within your budget - even when the economy is on a downturn.