Well love is in the air and wedding season has arrived. Couples all over the world will be announcing their love for one another over the next couple months.

Just under two years ago I too was at this very spot. I was engaged and planning a wedding. Wedding planning can be fun but in most cases causes a lot of stress and for many costs a lot of money. Today I wanted to share with you some things I learned while planning my wedding that simplified things and saved us a ton of money.

5 Ways to Save on a Wedding

1. Have a small guest list. This can be  difficult but is sometimes necessary if the cost per guest is going to break your budget. Cross off names on the list of guests who might feel obligated to come to the wedding if they are invited but would not have their feelings hurt if they are not asked to attend. Think of inviting only relatives with whom you have a close relationship instead of everyone related to you. Invite only the people who are important to you and your parents rather than everyone you know.

This was something we really stuck to. We sat down and examined who our true friends were and which relatives actually played a role in our lives. Doing this not only affirmed where we should continue to build relationships but it also helped us keep costs down.

2. If your wedding ceremony and/or reception will be held at a hotel or near a hotel, ask for discounts on room rentals. Reserve a block of rooms for your guests several months before the wedding for the best rates.  You can do this by speaking with the appropriate manager.

We reserved a bunch of rooms for out of town relatives and friends. We included the booking code on our invitations. This created a seamless process for our guests. They were able to phone and book what they needed well before the wedding and we weren’t bogged down trying to find places for everyone to stay.

3.  Make a schedule and stick to it. Musicians, photographers, and Dj’s will charge more if asked to perform beyond the time stated in their contract.  If you plan a schedule ahead of time you can avoid this. We had a photography schedule, a ceremony schedule, and a reception schedule. It helped keep everyone on track with time as well as ensured people showed up at the right spot at the right time.

4. To keep things simple and save money,  have your ceremony and reception in the same location. Not only does this save on transporation but it also keeps it easy for guests. Plus you only have to plan with one site manager.

We did this and we loved it. We had pictures done in the early afternoon which was then followed by a 4:30pm ceremony. After the ceremony cocktails and appetizers were served while people mingled. Eventually we had dinner and finished the evening with speeches and dancing. The whole event ran so smooth and I attribute a large part of this to having our wedding all in one place. Apart from running smooth, we also saved money by getting a deal since we were booking up the venue for a number of hours.

5. Consider having your wedding any day but Saturday. Many venues will charge you their top rate for a Saturday rental. Instead consider a Friday or a Sunday. Choosing a date between October and April also helps  to avoid higher peak season rates in many areas. Our wedding was in October on a Sunday and this worked out very well.

You see, there are ways to save on a wedding; you just have to look for them. Remember, every penny you save can be used towards another goal that you have.

So, if you’re married, what tips and tricks did you discover when you were planning your wedding? Or if you are currently planning a wedding, how is it going so far? Please share.