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Weddings can be expensive – that’s nothing new. With all the details involved in planning this one magical day, it can seem impossible to find ways to save money. Oh, but you can – and in at least 14 different ways! We asked Canadian wedding planners Julianne Cragg from A Modern Proposal in Edmonton, Roxy Zapala from Art of Celebrations in Toronto, Melissa Samborski from One Fine Day in Toronto and Barb Walker from French Kiss Events in Victoria to dish on their best cost-saving tips and tricks. With these clever wedding hacks we guarantee you’ll save money on your wedding and still manage to have the best day ever.

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195858 Opt for Off-Season "Host your wedding off-season," suggests Zapala. "Winter weddings can be super cozy and full of heart-warming details. Spring weddings are my personal favourite – grass is getting greener at that time, temperatures are nice and mild (which means you won't be sweating in your gown), and so many flowers are in bloom at that time. You can get significant discounts from many vendors such as wedding photographers and reception venues during the months of November to April, so why not take advantage of that?" Photo via <a href="http://juliehillphotography.com/">Julie Hill Photography</a>. Opt For Off-Season save on wedding - venues https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-on-wedding-season-105x105.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-on-wedding-season-600x400.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-on-wedding-season.jpg 550 367 {"orientation":1} https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/save-on-wedding-season/ save-on-wedding-season 0 0

193741 Stay Away From Saturdays "Have a fun Friday night event or a lovely Sunday brunch instead of a traditional Saturday sit-down dinner," says Zapala. "You can save a bundle if you choose something other than a Saturday. Friday evenings of long weekends are usually a fantastic option. Most people work half days that day and they are off for three days afterwards, which still gives them a chance to enjoy their long weekends away from the city," says Zapala. Photo via <a href="http://www.ameris.ca/"target=_blank">Ameris</a>. Stay Away From Saturdays save on wedding - venues https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-2-105x105.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-2-600x400.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-2.jpg 550 367 [] https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/wedding-budget-tips-2/ wedding-budget-tips-2 0 0

193757 Book An All-Inclusive Venue "Find a venue that is beautiful and needs little decor to be added. For example, beautiful chandeliers and walls go a long wall then there is no need to drape them," says Samborski. Also consider having your ceremony and reception at the same venue to cut down on time and transportation costs. Photo via <a href="http://www.lavishandlight.com/">Lavish and Light Photography</a>. The Almost All-Inclusive Venue 14 ways to save - venue https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-10-105x105.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-10-600x399.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-10.jpg 550 366 [] https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/wedding-budget-tips-10/ wedding-budget-tips-10 0 0

193746 Ask About Rental Discounts "With rentals generally you get what you pay for," says Cragg. "Check with the vendors you have already hired to see if they have discounts with any rental companies. Most wedding planners will have them set up already with rental companies." Styling by <a href="http://willowroseevents.com/" target="_blank">Willow Rose Events</a>. Stationery by <a href="http://buenomarket.com/" target="_blank">Bueno Market</a>. Table from <a href="http://vintagerentals.ca/" target="_blank">Vintage Rentals</a>. Flowers by <a href="http://www.blushandbloom.ca/" target="_blank">Blush and Bloom</a>. China from <a href="http://www.williamashley.com/" target="_blank">William Ashley China</a>. Photography by <a href="http://www.heidilau.ca/" target="_blank">Heidi Lau Photography</a>. Shot on location at <a href="http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/holcimestate" target="_blank">The Holcim Waterfront Estate</a>. Ask About Rental Discounts save on wedding - rentals https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-4-105x105.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-4-600x360.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-4.jpg 550 330 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Heidi Lau Photography | www.heidilau.ca"} https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/wedding-budget-tips-4/ wedding-budget-tips-4 0 0

195856 Go Paperless When it comes to invitations, Cragg suggested a more green and cost-effective alternative. "Instead of having multiple inserts with maps and RSVPs make it all digital and create a website," she advises. Photo via iStockphoto. Go Paperless save money on wedding - stationery https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-stationery-105x105.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-stationery-600x399.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-stationery.jpg 550 366 {"aperture":5,"camera":"NIKON D3","caption":"Happy couple looking at laptop computer with mobile phone and digital tablet","created_timestamp":1315748383,"focal_length":"95","iso":"125","shutter_speed":"0.00625","title":"Happy couple looking at laptop computer","orientation":1} https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/happy-couple-looking-at-laptop-computer/ happy-couple-looking-at-laptop-computer 0 0

195869 Limit Your Guest List “If you want to save money the best tip is to cut your guest list," says Cragg. "Once you cut the number of people you need to feed, you also reduce the number of centrepieces, table clothes and favours you will need." Photo via <a href="http://www.renaissancestudios.ca/?utm_source=weddingbells&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=weddingbells">Josh Cornell from Renaissance Studios</a>. Limit Your Guest List https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-guests-105x105.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-guests-600x400.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-guests.jpg 550 367 {"aperture":13,"credit":"Copyright Gordon Hawkins","camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1380377633,"focal_length":"32","iso":"500","shutter_speed":"0.00625","orientation":1} https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/save-money-on-wedding-guests/ save-money-on-wedding-guests 0 0

193759 Opt For A Small Wedding Party Another way to cut costs is to cut down on the people in your wedding party. Samborski says that a small bridal party can make a difference -- you'll have fewer thank-you gifts to buy and won't have to worry about covering the cost of extra bridesmaid dresses and hair and makeup appointments. Photo via <a href="http://eplove.info/blog/">Roger Elsworth</a>. Opt For A Small Wedding Party save money on wedding - wedding party https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-12-105x105.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-12-600x450.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-12.jpg 550 413 [] https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/wedding-budget-tips-12/ wedding-budget-tips-12 0 0

195851 Cut Back On Photography "If you fall in love with a photographer that is out of your price range, you can still have them, just limit the hours you have them for to make them work into your budget," Cragg advises. "Have them for the important parts – the ceremony and formals," she says. You can skip the "getting ready" shots and the reception. Photo via iStockphoto. Cut Back On Photography save money on wedding - photography https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-105x105.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-600x489.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding.jpg 550 448 {"aperture":6.3,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":1372783574,"focal_length":"50","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.005","orientation":1} https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/save-money-on-wedding/ save-money-on-wedding 0 0

195868 Choose In-Season Flowers "Talk to your florist about which flowers are in-season at the time of your wedding, as the price of flowers is greatly determined by availability," Walker explains. "A good tip is to gather lots of inspiration pictures of your dream bouquet, and determine what it is about the pictures that you like: is it the overall shape, size of the blooms, texture, palette? Then, share those with your florist, and he or she will be able to recommend in-season flowers that will give you the same feel," she suggests. Photo via <a href="http://www.elizabethmessina.com/"target=_blank">Elizabeth Messina Photography</a>. Choose In-Season Flowers save money on wedding - flowers https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-flowers-105x105.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-flowers-600x805.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-flowers.jpg 550 738 [] https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/save-money-on-wedding-flowers/ save-money-on-wedding-flowers 0 0

195867 Make The Most Of Your Centrepieces "I am a huge fan of 'biggest bang for your buck' so what I often tell my couples when it comes to flowers and décor is to have few statement pieces rather than a room full of mediocre centrepieces," says Zapala. "This way your wedding will be stylized and unforgettable and no one will know just how much you saved on the décor. With average price of a tall centrepiece being somewhere between $150 and $300 each and low centrepieces of hydrangeas or baby’s breath being around $50 and $75 each you can save few hundred and maybe even few thousand dollars if you opt for having just a few statement pieces and low centrepieces for the rest of the tables," she adds. Image via <a href="http://rusticweddingchic.com/cotton-mill-wedding" target=_blank">Rustic Wedding Chic.</a> Make The Most Of Your Centrepieces save money on wedding - centrepieces https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-centrepieces-105x105.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-centrepieces-600x400.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-centrepieces.jpg 550 367 [] https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/save-money-on-wedding-centrepieces/ save-money-on-wedding-centrepieces 0 0

193752 Limit The Live Music "For couples who are wanting to incorporate live music into their day, but not wanting to shell out the big bucks for a dance band, consider hiring live musicians to play during your cocktail hour and dinner, and then having a DJ or playlist take over for the party," says Walker. The musicians will help create the atmosphere perfectly, and will be an unexpected treat for your guests. Look into musicians who you have heard at your favourite local spots, as opposed to traditional 'wedding' companies, as their prices will often be less, and the style of music will most likely be exactly to your taste." Photo via <a href="http://rickvandervalkphotography.com/">Rick Van Der Valk Photography</a>. Limit The Live Music save money on wedding - music https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-5-105x105.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-5-600x399.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/wedding-budget-tips-5.jpg 550 366 [] https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/wedding-budget-tips-5/ wedding-budget-tips-5 0 0

195855 Consider Cake Alternatives "This is a great area to save money and there are so many ways to go about it," says Walker. "My favourite is to buy a small cake from your favourite bakery in town, and have it on display for the 'cutting of the cake' moment. Then, have either a slab of cake in the back, for the caterers to plate and serve or opt for a dessert bar filled with a variety of your favourite desserts for guests to taste." Keep in mind that your venue might charge a cake-cutting fee. This is a provision for the plates and forks, and the washing of these items. You can get around this fee by offering a tower of cookies or cupcakes with cute take-away boxes in lieu of a traditional wedding cake. See our favourite <a href="http://www.weddingbells.ca/planning/wedding-cakes/surprising-wedding-cake-alternatives-for-every-type-of-wedding/">wedding cake alternatives here</a>. Photo via <a href="http://chicvintagebrides.com/">Chic Vintage Brides</a>. Consider Cake Alternatives save money on wedding - cake https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-cake-105x105.png https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-cake-600x899.png https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-cake.png 550 824 [] https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/save-money-on-wedding-cake/ save-money-on-wedding-cake 0 0

195870 Limit The Alcohol "There are multiple ways to save on alcohol, which is one of the larger costs at a wedding," says Cragg. "You can hand out tickets to guests, lets say three each, so that they can have alcohol on your tab but not get completely intoxicated. Instead of having wine wasted by being at each table, have it at the bar, or have the servers pour it. For the reception, another way to save money on alcohol would be to limit your bar. Don't have every single beer and whisky available. If you really want to cut costs, limit yourself to two or three types of beer and wine." Photo via iStockphoto. Limit The Alcohol save money on wedding - alcohol https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-alcohol-105x105.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-alcohol-600x400.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-money-on-wedding-alcohol.jpg 550 367 {"aperture":6.3,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":1307225583,"focal_length":"200","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.005","orientation":1} https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/save-money-on-wedding-alcohol/ save-money-on-wedding-alcohol 0 0

195866 Skip The Favours "Favours often go wasted at weddings, so I always recommend skipping them, and putting the savings into another aspect of the wedding that will add to your guests' overall experience, such as a champagne toast, live music, or a shuttle bus," says Walker. "Your guests will appreciate these things so much more than favours!" Photo via iStockphoto. Skip The Favours save money on wedding - favours https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-on-wedding-favours-105x105.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-on-wedding-favours-600x400.jpg https://weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/save-on-wedding-favours.jpg 550 367 {"aperture":4,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","caption":"Goody bag with lavender at wedding reception. Shallow focus.","created_timestamp":1370088557,"focal_length":"100","iso":"320","shutter_speed":"0.05","title":"Table decoration at Wedding Reception","orientation":1} https://weddingbells.ca/planning/14-ingenious-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/slide/table-decoration-at-wedding-reception/ table-decoration-at-wedding-reception 0 0