Six Ways to Save Time, Money on Your Big Day

Jan. 24, 2008 — -- Weddings can be one of the most joyous times in a person's life, and they can also can be one of the most stressful. Figuring out how to finance the perfect day sometimes requires aerobatic budgeting acts.

Still, there are ways to save without having your ceremony appear cheap. Real Simple magazine recommends six ways you can save time and money on your wedding with the tips below.

It is more expensive to get married in the summer, and yet about 70 percent of all weddings take place between May and October, with June being the most popular month.

As brides compete for venues and vendors, wedding pros raise prices because they can. Holding your event during the off-season months — like January, February or March — could save up to 50 percent on the very same reception venue.

Also, try skipping Saturday dates in favor of Friday nights or Sundays, when rates are often discounted.

Register for the unexpected. It's not about dinnerware anymore. You can register for big-ticket items, like a couch, at many retailers today. You can also opt for the less traditional route and have guests donate money to your honeymoon.

Through sites like www.felicite.com, guests can contribute whatever amount they would like toward the purchase.

Meet face-to-face with no more than three vendors in each category (catering, music, stationery, cake baking). Meeting more than three vendors per category can prove unmanageable and stressful.

Do your research beforehand by gathering general information about the vendors online and through word of mouth. This way, the interviews are really just about finding your favorite.

When shopping for dresses, hit the stores armed with your own look book, containing magazine tear-outs, photos from friends' weddings, fabric swatches-- anything that helps you communicate your taste to the sales staff.