Your wedding is a magical time, but with trying to keep up with expectations of a large elaborate wedding, you may find your expenses becoming out of control. You can have a great wedding AND keep your budget under control. The advice in this article will help you to keep within your wedding budget, while still having an unforgettable day.

When you plan your wedding, be sure to think about cost effective alcohol options. Just letting people drink all they want can really add up, especially if the reception lasts a long time. With only a quick question, your venue should be able to provide you with their alcohol serving options.

Online wedding gown purchases can be easy on your wallet, but give yourself enough time for alterations as needed. Even though a gown can be fairly cheap, having it altered to fit your perfectly can sometimes be more costly. When deciding how much to spend, remember to include the cost of alterations.

The photos taken during your wedding are important as you’ll look at these a lot of times during your lifetime. To ensure that your wedding day is documented properly, you should be prepared to spend some money on a professional, experienced photographer.

There’s nothing more important in a wedding than the person who you are marrying. This life-altering decision is one that should not be rushed into. Think about this person and what things will drive you crazy, along with what you can’t live without.

Make sure that you carefully consider what to include in your vows, as they will be something that your future spouse remembers forever. Understand that marriage is a very strong commitment that requires the both of you to make sacrifices. Express your love for the person you will marry when writing your vows.

Instead of one large, expensive wedding cake, consider serving cupcakes or several small cakes. Some specialty bakeries also ship fresh, low-cal cupcakes and healthy fare, like gluten-free options if you so desire.

Those brides that are lovers of fashion and luxury can have bouquets embellished with rhinestones, diamonds, or Swarovski crystals. You can do this by attaching small crystals, costume jewelry, or perhaps a special piece of jewelry with some kind of adhesive. Make sure that the stones of your choice coordinate well with your ensemble; have consistency in your arrangement of colors, size and cut.

If you are going to have a destination wedding, give your guests a basket filled with exotic goodies. Include maps, cameras, hats, disposable cameras, or guides on local attractions that they may want to visit. You may want to include a food guide to some local restaurants so that they can eat.

If possible, see if your reception venue offers lighting choices. Certain occasions throughout the evening will call for their own separate mood and lighting, such as a first dance or cutting of the cake. Verify this with the venue, before signing your contract.

Of the various kinds of flowers you can choose for your wedding day, silk flowers offer a unique and practical option. You don’t have to purchase these fresh so you can buy them months ahead, and you don’t have to be concerned with huge floral arrangements.

If the groom and bride love to travel, try to look for decorations that incorporate that particular theme. Place cards or invitations can be designed in the style of a bus ticket or postcard. An old-style suitcase can be set open on a table as the backdrop for wedding programs or favors.

Choosing centerpieces for your reception tables can be a difficult and costly decision. Rather than buying huge centerpieces that obstruct your guests’ view, consider simpler centerpieces that can be taken by guests as a keepsake. This will make it easier for the people at the table to hold a conversation with each other.

You don’t need to go over the top to have the wedding you have always wanted. Use the tips below and any advice you can gain from those whom have had experience with weddings. These two components can let you relax and watch the savings add up.