1. Slim Down Your Guest List
Do not add anyone on your guest list who you could not see yourself getting married without. Be selective when choosing your guest.  Chances are that your old college roommate who you haven’t seen or spoken to in eight years is not worth the money
that it will take to save him a spot at the wedding.
 
2. No Fancy Venues
A lot of the budget for weddings is for the Venue. It can seem tempting to spring for a fancy ballroom or church for your ceremony and reception. But if your budget is tight, it is probably best to do a ceremony/reception at home or somewhere outdoors like a park or a backyard. That way you have full control over how you decorate your home or backyard.
 
3. Go Easy on the Bouquet
One of the biggest wastes of money is the flowers that many people order for their weddings. Not only will these flowers die very quickly, but they are also very expensive to order. Especially if you buy off-season flowers. If you insist on keeping the real flowers in your wedding, go to your local grocery store and buy fresh cut flowers. You can buy several bunches and make all the Bridal Party needed flower arrangements yourself. If you are open to fake flowers, like the ones from Hobby Lobby, these can be a great opportunity to save money on something you’ll get to keep forever.
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4. Off the Rack Dresses
While it may have always been your dream to feel like a guest on “Say Yes to the Dress”, it is a lot better for your wallet to find a cheaper, but still beautiful, alternative to your dream ball gown. Think of your venue and pick your dress according to that venue. Shopping off the rack allows you to find a dream gown and only pay for alterations, which can impact your budget GREATLY. Check online places like Pinterest or Etsy.

5. Tell Your Guests to Skip the Gifts
Yes, while salt and pepper shakers and new mixers are great, a lot of family members may have more wedding effective talents that they could gift you. For example, if one of your guests is a photographer, ask them to take the pictures while they are enjoying the wedding. You can also ask that your guests to give you money to put towards your wedding and/or honeymoon instead of gifts from a registry. If you go this route you need to add a statement on your invitations telling your guest that money would be appreciated instead of gifts.
 
6. Stock the Bar Yourself
One of the biggest reception expenses is the cost of alcohol at the reception. The best bet for a wedding on a budget is to stock the bar yourself. Sticking to things like beer and wine is a lot cheaper. By doing this it will allow you to hire help in bartending.
 
My Final Thoughts
If you are having a wedding, it does not have to cost an arm and a leg in order for the wedding to be special. It is special enough since it is the day that you will be marrying the love of your life, so do not stress about spending all your money to make your wedding perfect. Spend time personalizing your wedding and that in itself will make your wedding special and one of a kind. With these tips on how to throw a great wedding on a budget, you will be able to throw a ceremony and reception that is sure to wow your guests!