If you are having favors, consider using them as a centerpiece.  If you have small boxes, you can make a pyramid with them. If you made cookies or have candies, you can get a nice dish or even a double tiered server (they don’t have to match) to place in the center of each table. Now you have a favor that is doing double duty.

I’ve already talked about saving money by getting married in the off season. I just read that the cheapest month (and it makes sense) for hotels (if you want a hotel wedding) is January.  If you are at a ski resort this may not be true but for most hotels, you are after the holiday parties but before the spring weddings.

If you are having a casual outdoor wedding, consider having a picnic for the reception. That’s right–a real picnic with picnic tables and red and white table cloths.   Picnic type baskets can be the centerpiece with the food inside.

Just because something isn’t advertised as a particular item there isn’t any reason not to use it. I was shopping at home improvement store when my friend who had been looking for table cloths saw exactly what she wanted, but it was a shower curtain. Now these shower curtains were on clearance at about a $1.00 each. Still there were enough of them for us to buy them, cut off the top and set up a long seam and use them as table cloths for her wedding

Don’t turn down something because it has a different use from what you want it to!  Be creative.

If you are crafty, consider making your own favors. How about baking a big batch of cookies?  Just a little bit craftier than plain old chocolate chip?  Make sugar cookies and print your initials in icing on the top.

So you wanted flowers for your bridesmaids and a large bouquet for yourself?  You want more flowers for your reception? Consider using these bouquets as part of the reception in the form of decorations–table centerpieces for example or even just sitting around by a buffet.  You’ll get double duty out of those marvelous flowers

Want music but don’t want to hire a DJ?  Consider having Karaoke at your wedding. It’s not great for dancing but if your guests love to sing (or you do) this can be a great deal of fun for attendees!

Consider an area with a slide show (you can even use Power Point from your Computer) of the early years of the Bride and Groom.  This offers an activity for people at the reception and allows guests to relive their favorite memories of you.

Consider asking vendors if you allow them to have advertising at your wedding if they will give you reduced rates on their services.  Be sure this is okay with whomever you are renting the reception area from as well.

You never know.

It’s not surprise, but it doesn’t hurt to reiterate:

Your most Expensive Locations for Your Wedding are Country Clubs and Hotels

Want it indoors with a fancy look?  Check out local area restaurants.   Even some of the nicest offer lower prices than a hotel for comparable services.

Very often local museums also offer the use of their space or have a room to rent. How much more elegant can you get (unless you’re renting the local train museum which might leave a bit to be desired).