If you have a small wedding budget, don’t panic. Planning a wedding on a small budget is very simple if you implement a few tips to cut costs at your wedding. Remember, your family and friends will be at your wedding to celebrate your love and happiness and won’t really care about how much you spend. If planned well, your wedding can be a gorgeous and stylish extravaganza without really spending much money.

-         Decide on how many people you want to invite. You could invite those closest to the couple and throw a house party for the rest of the friends.

-         Cut out frivolities like invitations or huge floral centerpieces. The invitations and centerpieces are supposed to complement the wedding theme, not draw attention away from the couple. Instead, be creative and use personalized hand written cards or wild flowers to decorate.

-         Get friends to bake their favorite cakes instead of a traditional wedding cake. Not only will this help you cut costs at your wedding but it will add a lot of variety as well.

-         An open bar is not a necessity and is the first thing that should be ignored at a budget wedding.

-         Plan the reception meal well. You can replace lobster with the equally exotic and cheaper calamari. Use seasonal vegetables instead of importing fancy ingredients.

-         Have the wedding and reception in the morning. Keep the ceremony short.

-         Serve brunch, which can be made very stylish and exotic by the right chef.

-         Pay a tribute to your grandma and wear her wedding dress on your special day.

-         Have a casual wedding. The more formal the wedding is the more expensive it would be. If it is a casual one, then your guests will be relaxed and you will be able to budget better.

-         Be creative. Have fun locations which are scenic and special to the couple.

-         Never be too shy to ask for help. Your loved ones will be more than happy to be a part of the wedding preparations. Friends with cars can ferry your guests, the talented cook can suggest great new food to try and the children can help gathering fresh wildflowers for your centerpieces.

A wedding is all about fun, not the amount of money spent. Do remember, you should never skimp on the photographer, thank you notes and gifts for all the people who helped you out. Also don’t forget the comfort of your guests in an attempt to cut costs at the wedding. Ensure that the valet service is adequate, comfortable seating, adequate food and a great clean up service after the ceremonies.