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Believe it or not, you can save thousands of dollars on wedding costs. Get advice from experts on how to cut that sum down to size.

Wedding Reception Catering

Budget-buster First comes a cocktail hour with both hand-passed hors d’oeuvres and food stations, including a sushi bar, followed by a four-course meal that consists of a salad, soup, entrées—such as roasted Chilean sea bass and braised beef short ribs in a rich burgundy wine reduction—and a plated dessert, like a frozen chocolate mousse.
Cost: $25,800 ($172 per person)

Budget-friendly Cut the cocktail-hour stations. “Those serving sushi, for example, are more expensive than hand-passed hors d’oeuvres because you have to put a lot of food out and keep replenishing it for the entire cocktail hour,” says Christopher Robbins, vice president of the New York City-based Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs, which has a catering facility in the Hamptons, NY. Instead, he recommends hand passing a mix of less costly hors d’oeuvres, such as caviar and mini margarita pizzas.
Cost: $22,800 ($152 per person)
Savings: $3,000 ($20 per person)

Other ways to save: Go with a three- course meal, and choose to serve either the fish or beef, but not both.

Wedding Flowers/Décor

Budget-buster Because so many brides want a personalized look for their wedding décor, expenses can rapidly escalate. Darren Andereck, president and creative director of Alice’s Garden, an event floral and décor company in Chicago, says he might make an over-the-top impact with custom linens and lampshades and display magnificent floral arrangements. He will often choose pin-spot lighting to illuminate the tall, dramatic centerpieces.
Cost: $9,000 ($600 per table)

Budget-friendly Forget custom items that rack up expenses. Instead, rent your linens and lampshades for the tables—they will look just as festive. Rest assured, no one will know the difference. Decrease the size of the centerpieces, and increase the number of candles on tables. “An abundance of votive candles with smaller centerpieces can be equally impressive, and they are extremely cost effective,” says Andereck.
Cost: $7,500 ($500 per table)
Savings: $1,500

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