Our Top 12 Cost Cuts

You want the wedding of your dreams, but the economy and your bank account are less than dreamy. No worries...we've got some great tips to help you keep costs down!

Weddings aren't a simple affair, and costs can quickly escalate as you delve deeper into the plans. Here are our Top 12 creative ideas that are guaranteed to save you money but will still ensure you have a beautiful, wonderful and tasty wedding.

1.    Recycle Heirlooms: If you have family heirlooms, reuse the diamonds or metal to make your wedding rings; or wear them on your wedding day to compliment your attire - they can double as your something borrowed and something old. It's a great way to save money, but it's also an eco-friendly alternative and a nod to the past!
2.    RSVP Online: Don't worry about ordering return envelopes and postage for your stationery. Invite your guests to RSVP online via your theBIGstep wedding homepage.
3.    A Flower a Guest: On your invitation, ask guests to bring their favourite flower to the ceremony. Have someone collect the flowers before the ceremony and then tie them into bunches with ribbons for you and your bridesmaids to carry. Bring along spare vases to create arrangements as well. It's a fun way to involve your guests and make arrangements that are that much more personal.
4.    Lollies in the Middle: Instead of flower arrangements or other pricey centrepieces, fill glass vases or jars with candy. These can add colour to your tables and can be used as after dinner treats!
5.    Dessert with a Twist: Skip a plated or buffet dessert in favour of your wedding cake. Many couples are opting for less traditional cakes and choosing more favourable flavours, including mud cake, carrot cake, banana cake, or a combination of flavours to serve to their guests. Alternatively, get the girls together and bake a cupcake for each guest that you can arrange on a tower of cloth-covered boxes - a cute wedding cake and dessert in one!
6.    Make your Own Wedding Music: If you can't afford a band or DJ, take charge and make your own playlists on your iPod, which you can plug into a sound system at your wedding venue.
7.    Friends & Family: You will be amazed at how helpful and resourceful friends and family can be. Consider your guest list and ask around to see if anyone can source alcohol at wholesale prices, arrange your flowers, design your invitations, decorate your wedding venue, make your wedding cake or make you wedding jewellery.
8.    Bargain Hunt: While it may seem easier to hire, you may save, or even make a bit, if you buy some wedding elements. Lauren purchased her chandeliers, which may seem a bit strange, but she couldn't pass them up. Instead of keeping them in the hall closet, she sold them to a hire company after the wedding. TradeMe is also a great place to sell unwanted items to the next couple planning to say their "I dos".
9.    One Long Course: Feed your guests all evening without the cost of a 3-course meal! Replacing the traditional meal with a constant stream of canapés is a modern twist that will keep guests' stomachs full while also keeping costs down.
10.    Candlelight: Candles can add elegance to a venue with the light of a match. Grab a bunch of different sized candles or a pile of tea lights from The Warehouse, Briscoes or Farmers, but don't light them until just before your guests arrive, as you don't want them burning out before the last dance!
11.    Palladium Rings: Palladium is a platinum group metal that, in its latest alloy composition, has an amazing similarity to platinum, but it wears like gold. It's less expensive than gold and considerably more affordable than platinum, but feels like one and looks like the other!
12.    Wallpaper: Think about purchasing discount wallpaper to use as table runners. It will add texture and character to your tables in an interesting and unique way.