What you can skip and cannot skimp on for your wedding

You don't have to break the bank to have a beautiful, meaningful wedding day. Here's how to save cash without looking cheap!

YOU CAN SKIP...
Favors: Most guests toss wedding favors anyway. If you really want to leave something, bake yummy treats yourself, or make a small donation to a favorite charity in memory of a cherished relative, placing a card at each setting explaining the gift.

Save-the-dates: Save the date cards are an unnecessary expense, unless you're having a destination wedding, requiring people to make travel arrangements well in advance.

Video: Chances are you will only watch a wedding video once or twice, yet spend thousands on its production. Add this money into your still photography budget instead.

DON'T SKIMP ON

Photography: Hire the absolute best photographer that you can afford. If you try to cut corners here, you are guaranteed to regret it each and every time you -- and your loved ones -- look at your wedding photos. A great photographer is one of the most important investments you can make. Remember, you are asking them to record a piece of family history -- one that will last for generations to come.

Drinks: It is a personal choice to serve alcohol or not, but if you do, do not have a cash bar. If you had a dinner party at your home, you wouldn't charge your guests for each glass of wine. To save money, offer only beer and wine, a signature cocktail or champagne punch. There is no need to provide an entire liquor store. Also be sure to have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages available.

BOTTOM LINE

Saving money does not have to mean skimping on style. With a little imagination and creativity, you can have a gorgeous wedding on a shoestring budget. That way, instead of spending so much cash on that one single day, you instead have it available to use for the rest of your married life. Smart, no?