Tips to Cut the Costs of Your Wedding Reception

Jan. 29, 2008 — -- Face it: Weddings are as beautiful as they are expensive, but soon-to-be brides and grooms can save money while still having the ceremony of their dreams. "Real Simple" executive editor Jaimee Zanzinger has tips for the perfect but still affordable wedding reception.

Learn how to save on invitations, flowers, food and music.

Invitations (and other stationery) should make up about 2 percent of your total budget, but postage can get pricey. To cut down on cost, choose a rectangular invitation instead of a square. The square will cost you at least 17 cents more per invite to mail.

Also, you should think seriously about whom you invite to your wedding. You may spend 50 hours a week with the guy in the cubicle next to you, but do you really need him at your wedding? The rule of thumb for co-workers is to either invite all of them, or exclude all but the few who have become your outside-the-office inner circle.

However, if you work in a small office where everyone from the receptionist to your boss have heard you arguing with the florist, it's a good idea to invite the whole group. That said, the No. 1 way to cut down your budget is to invite fewer people.

Stay away from floral-heavy holidays like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. It's all about supply and demand. When flowers are in high demand, they are bound to be more expensive. You should always go with something that is affordable for the season in which you are getting married.

These blooms are available all year long, and are affordable: alstroemeria, freesia and snap dragons. They all cost less than $2 per stem.

If you're looking to shave money off your flower budget, cut down on the flowers during your ceremony. The guests are closer to the flowers at your reception.

Finally, if you don't feel like seeing all those beautiful buds going to waste, donate them after your wedding to a hospital, hospice or nursing home. Some cities even have nonprofit organizations that will pick up flowers and drop them off for you. Check out www.flowerpowerfoundation.org for more information.