Every bride dreams of having a beautiful wedding followed by an equally beautiful reception.  Unfortunately, in order to live out these dreams, many brides are going into a great deal of debt.  In fact, a dream wedding can easily cost anywhere from $14,000 to $50,000. If you want to still have an unforgettable wedding and reception without having to go broke, you might want to consider these simple guidelines for saving money on your wedding.

Location, Location, Location

The first thing you need to consider is the location of your wedding.  You can actually spend a good portion of your wedding budget on your venue.  But, if you look for a less expensive option, you can really cut down on the cost of your wedding.  Look on your state’s web site to see if there are any parks where you can hold your wedding ceremony and reception.  Often, you can hold your wedding at one of these locations for free or for a very small fee.  You might also want to look into your local theater, museums or library as possible wedding venues.

Choosing the Right Time of the Year

If you really have your heart set on a certain location or on certain types of entertainment, you might want to consider having your wedding sometime other than spring.  Many venues and wedding service provides offer discounts during the off-peak times of the year.

Picking the Right Decorations

Your decorations can also be quite costly if you allow yourself to go overboard.  Use flowers sparingly and place them in a few key places to help make a big impression on your guests without costing too much.  Also, consider decorations that can also serve as favors to your guests or that can you can reuse later for other purposes.

Selecting the Right Foods

If you plan to feed your guests at the wedding reception, you might want to consider having a morning wedding and a noontime reception.  That way, you can feed your guests a lighter meal or some finger foods.  If you want to have an evening reception, on the other hand, choose less expensive dinner choices such as pasta and chicken.  You might also want to limit the beverages to wine and beer since having a completely open bar can be quite expensive.