Inexpensive tips for an invaluable wedding

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Here are a few tips for saving money on a wedding, offered by Teddy Lenderman, an author and wedding consultant, as well as a few couples who've recently married:

• Set a budget and stick to it. To do that, make a list of the items that are most important to you. If photos are really important and flowers aren't, hire a professional photographer and have a single rose or a simple arrangement for the bride to carry.
• Schedule the wedding on a Friday or Sunday. Venues often cost less to rent when your wedding is not on a Saturday. You also could have your wedding and reception at the same place.
• Ask wedding vendors you're dealing with for discounts. The worst thing they can say is "no."
• If there is another wedding at your location that weekend, ask the other couple if they'd share costs for the ceremony flowers. Or use your ceremony flowers at the reception.
• Use disposable dinnerware instead of china and glass. There are biodegradable options out there, though they're a bit more expensive.
• Have a mid-afternoon wedding and serve cake and punch or champagne, instead of having a meal.
• Check resale shops for gowns and tuxes that have never been worn, or with minimal wear. Or consider less traditional attire that may be cheaper. Formal wear stores also often offer deals on multiple tux rentals.
• Borrow items like cake knife or toast goblets, the ring bearer pillow or flower girl basket, if you're interested in having these traditional components. If the bride wears a veil, borrow it or use your mother's. Many of these items also can be purchased online at wholesale prices.
• Instead of spending money on individual favors for guests, make a donation to your favorite charity and place a nicely written note on each table, telling them "In your honor, a donation has been made to..."
• Make use of talented friends who might be musicians, photographers, chefs or dress designers. Or hire high school music students to play for the ceremony and/or the reception meal (violin or piano, for instance). But do listen to them before you book.

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