Let’s face it: the expenses involved in putting together a wedding are often at the core of wedding-related stress. While most couples have an ideal version of their wedding in mind even before they start planning, few couples realize just how much their dream wedding costs in terms of cold, hard cash. With more and more couples starting out their marriages with student loan and credit card debts, incurring more debt from wedding expenses is far from ideal. With a little planning, creativity and common sense, the twenty tips below can help stretch any wedding budget, so that your ideal wedding can be possible.

A veil can cost more than the wedding gown! So many brides have written in complaining about the high cost of veils and headpieces that we just had to come to your rescue with the best budget tips on this subject.

Favors are a must for both bridal showers and weddings…it’s no longer okay to skip the favors as a way to save money. With so many great options out there – either in purchased items or DIY projects – you can provide terrific favors that your guests will love for under $5 each. Considering all that your guests are putting into attending your wedding events, and giving you great gifts, that’s not a lot to spend even if you have a big guest list! Here are the top tips for getting great favors on a budget.

It’s not proper to have a cash bar at any wedding, so you’ll really need to know the inside secrets of the industry to find great savings on your bar tab, while still offering the best drinks to your guests. We’ve collected some of the top tips out there, so that you can make it look like you spent a fortune on your champagne and bar offerings, but you’ve really found lots of ways to save money at the same time.

For years, bridesmaids have been chipping in as a group to buy the bride one big bridal shower present from all of them. It could be a microwave, her cookware set, her bedding set, usually one of the ‘big-ticket’ items on the registry as a way to get the bride her most desired item. Now, the concept of the group gift has expanded, as both sets of parents, the groomsmen and even work friends and groups of couples recognize the enormous value in banding together to give a terrific gift to the couple.

Limousines. A stretch Humvee. A Bentley. A Rolls Royce. All cost a pretty penny when you book them for your wedding. You may have dreams of arriving for your ceremony in a classic car – or in a horse and carriage.  But the price….it can be quite overwhelming.  Here, you’ll find out how you can book these dream rides for less, using some smart tips, or create another plan that offers you something far more personalized.

Some of the centerpieces that you see in bridal magazines cost over $400 each! Those elegant, architectural centerpieces that stand high above the tables, dripping with exotic flowers and greenery are gorgeous, and floral designers work magic with a wide range of flowers and greens. But that price! Brides and grooms are looking for ways to center their tables in beautiful ways without spending a fortune. That’s where we come in, with this list of the top budget tips to turn your table centers into works of art at a more realistic price.

One of the most common questions about wedding budgets and etiquette is the going rate for tipping experts. It’s a must to tip your experts well, since they play such a big part of your day’s success. The following amounts are merely guiding suggestions; you’re free to give more to professionals who exceeded your expectations and really made your day special. Amounts vary by region, so be aware that these are the going rates in the northeast.

Some brides spend thousands of dollars on their wedding day flowers, since it’s always been their dream to carry the gorgeous bouquet of roses and walk into rooms that have been decorated into a sea of blooms. And that dream can come true on a budget! Check out the following tips on how to get more floral look for a lower price, without sacrificing your style wishes.

The national average amount spent on photography and videography is close to $3,500. Depending on where you live, that number may be shockingly high or laughingly low, but the fact remains – wedding photography and videography can be very expensive. After all, this is one very important day, and you’ll need great experts to capture the essence of every moment – large and small. As photo experts tell me, “This is the one piece of your wedding that gets more valuable over time.”