Don't let marriage burn a hole in your pocket

'I do' need not mean we're broke because of wedding costs

A great wedding day does not have to hit the hip pocket too much. Picture: Kostyazar

WE ALWAYS want the best for our wedding, but having the best doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune. Yes, weddings are expensive, but it doesn't have to be too expensive, so you can still save up for the more important things after the wedding.

Here are a few tips to help save on the big day:

• Encourage friends and family to offer their help or talents in exchange for wedding gifts.
• In lieu of gifts, ask your guests to contribute to your honeymoon fund.
• Consider booking a wedding package overseas - you can have your ceremony somewhere special and enjoy your honeymoon, then have a family barbecue to celebrate on your return.
• Only invite people you know and love. Inviting the aunt you haven't seen since you were five is just costing you a lot of money for a relationship that isn't there. Make your wedding day special by only inviting people who are a part of your life.
• Sign up to multiple wedding website mailing lists. You might just find out about a great sale that will save you loads of cash.
• Keep your ceremony and reception venues at the same place or within walking distance to save money on transport.
• Rent a house for the ceremony and reception that can accommodate the bridal party to sleep over the night before.
• A beautiful rooftop with a view makes for a gorgeous small wedding venue. Or get married in a park or a public place, then have the reception in a restaurant.
• Print a poster with the ceremony program and have it visible when people walk into your venue rather than printing one for each person.
• Think about having the ceremony at the local courthouse and then have a bigger fancier reception. Or have your ceremony in your backyard or a local park rather than hiring a venue.
• Only hire a professional photographer for a few hours rather than a whole day. Keep them local to your location, otherwise you will be incurring their travel and accommodation costs. Ask for an all-inclusive package that allows you to keep the photography images.

Jody Allen is the founder of Stay At Home Mum: stayathomemum.com.au