Ten ways to save $1000! (In no particular order)
10. Engagement photo packages usually run between $200-$500. Save by having a friend take your pictures digitally, then you can print them on your own personal printer using high gloss paper to prevent streaking or have prints made at your local pharmacy photo department. In addition, there are always websites like Shutterfly.com and Snapfish.com that will allow you to upload your pictures, print and ship them to you. Some of these websites even offer pick-up at a local store. These prints can run anywhere from $0.10 to $0.99 depending on the website and size of photo.

9. Be smart about when you’re planning your wedding. If you want a Valentine’s Day wedding, the price you’ll pay on roses will be through the roof. However, if you post-pone and schedule for mid-July, the price for roses is a lot cheaper and can end up costing you less. The alternative for real flowers is always silk, flowers. These are cost effective and look just as nice. Also check your seasonal and regional flowers, these can also be great bargains!

8. Plan for the right time of year. Everyone wants a wedding on Saturday night in late May, but the problem is no bookings available. Stay away from Saturdays…. choose a weekday or event Sunday. These low volume days can bring down your catering costs. Ask your caterer if they offer discounts on these days. It’s also important to book the space and date you want as early ahead as you can to ensure the cheapest price
7. Some church’s that require a donation to hold the space will allow you to ‘write it off’ as a tax deduction. Be sure if you’re having a wedding in a church, that you speak with the pastor or priest about their policies. This can always be a bit of a money saving tip!
6. Find a place for your reception where you can bring in an outside caterer. Most facilities have a ‘pre-approved’ caterer list to choose from. But be careful because you may have to meet their minimum order budget. Which can be anywhere around $1000-$3000. However, if you can find a location that will allow you to bring your own caterer you may be able to save several hundred dollars.

5. When is the best time to buy your wedding gown? Between Thanksgiving and Christmas! If you buy your gown between these times you’re going to get a better deal because this, in the bridal world, is known as the ‘off-season’

4. Shop for bridesmaids dresses in department stores. A lot of times, you’re going to find exactly what you want right at your local mall, Macy’s is a great place to start. There are also a ton of online websites like Bluefly.com that have an amazing selection of designer dresses at discounted prices. When you go to try on dresses, the trick is to take your hardest to dress bridesmaid with you and have her be your model. If you have certain colors or a ‘look’ in mind, don’t hesitate to ask who ever is working to help you find what you’re looking for. Remember, those sales-people know that store inside and out and will be able to walk right to the corner containing your dream dress. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or they don’t have the right sizes, DON’T GIVE UP! You can always get online and see if that store has what you want in another location. Nine times out of ten department stores will ship items to other locations free of charge

3. When it comes to saving money on your wedding music, remember two words… borrow and iTunes! If you have a nice sound system forget about the borrow part, but if you’re like most of us and don’t have a quality set-up, find a friend who’s willing to let you borrow theirs and use that instead of hiring a band or DJ. iTunes is a free Apple application (to download the program go to www.apple.com) that allows you to import all your CD’s into playlists. From there, you and your fiancee can pick and choose the songs you want to dance the night away to. Burn multiple CD’s with all your favorite music, then put someone in charge of checking and changing out the CD’s. Don’t forget though, there are two of you at this wedding and just because you don’t like his or her music doesn’t mean you can’t add it to a playlist… its their day too

2. Have your reception at a hotel. Many hotels like Country Inn Suites, Raddison Hotels, and even Regent International will give you a pretty good discount with a rental and reserved rooms. This will not only save you some money, it will be good for those relatives who are coming from out of town, and even for those of your friends who like to get a little crazy!

1. As for the men, ask around and see who already has a tux. If you have to rent, a good place to start is Mens Warehouse but skip renting the shoes… this is just an extra cost that you don’t need. Most men have a decent, or semi decent, pair of black shoes they can wear for one day, and if not, you can always try Florsheim.com or Onlineshoes.com to find some shoes that will work. A lot of tux rental stores will offer discounts for multiple rentals. Get all the men together and schedule a fitting and be sure you tell them to ask what discounts are available.