Fight the push! Many wedding web sites, wedding shops, venues and caterers will try to persuade you to spend spend spend. Remember that this is your wedding and though it may be your first time wedding planning, you can say no to the “experts”. Don’t let them bully you, outmaneuver you or intimidate you. Many wedding services are affordable, and you have the right to find those services.

Win with the Web

For the best deals and insider savings surf the web. Many online retailers offer discounts on wedding favors, invitations, wedding decorations and bridal shower supplies. Look for bridal wholesalers. Wedding flowers can often be purchased for wholesale. Even prices on wedding dresses can be wholesale or negotiated. A retailer would rather slash a price than lose a sale all together. Which brings me to my next point – negotiation.

Dance for the Deal

Bridal retailers survive because many brides are new to wedding planning. They use the naivete of a bride to their advantage. Photographers, venues and wedding shops will jack prices while an unsuspecting bride is robbed of a good portion of her budget. Don’t let your budget dwindle in one spot. Be upfront with a retailer about your budget. Negotiate the price of the dress. Push for free alterations. Ask for bulk discounts on favors, bouquets, hors de ouvres and other wedding decorations.

Signed Sealed Delivered

Always get a signature when buying a wedding service or wedding item. Especially for the high ticket items like wedding food, reception venue and wedding photographer. If you have secured a great free tailoring discount or a 15% discount on all wedding favors – make sure that’s documented. I’ve heard of vendors backing out way too many times.

Give yourself time

The way to an affordable wedding is through comparison shopping and wedding research. All that shopping takes time. On top of a full time job, an evolving relationship and time to get in buff bride shape – there’s not much time for the actual wedding planning. So a long engagement can help. Also putting wedding shopping time into your agenda is a good idea. If you plan for wedding comparison shopping it’s more likely to happen. Remember, the more time you take to survey your wedding option, the more affordable bride you’ll be!

Be Creative

The best weddings I’ve attended have been creative. I remember a wedding that took place in historical caves in St. Paul, MN. Sounds very strange and dreary, but it was actually very romantic and unique. Think outside of the box. Maybe you don’t want to get married in a cave, but maybe you’ll get married on a Riverboat. In Wisconsin there’s an old fashioned train that will marry couples as they ride the rails. Outdoor venues like parks and riverfronts are surprisingly affordable as well as a beautiful backdrop for a wedding.

The best resource I’ve found for affordable wedding ideas has been the book Bridal Bargains. You can pick it up new or used from Amazon: