Things to think of when planning your wedding:

- Wedding Ceremony Venue and Minister/Priest
-Wedding Ceremony Decorations

• Aisle Runner
• Pew Decorations
• Alter Flowers
  

-Reception Venue

• Table/chair rentals
• Stage/Mic system
  

-Reception Decorations

• Entourage Table Decorations
• Table Centerpieces
• Programs
• Guestbook
• Cake Table Decorations
• Table numbers
• Place cards
  

-Catering

• Food
• Linens/Tableware
• Servers
  

-Limo/Car Service
-Bridal Dress, Veil, Shoes, Jewelry, and Garter
-Groom's Tux
-Photographer
-Videographer
-Cake
-Bouquets/Boutonnieres/Corsages for wedding party
-Favors
-DJ/music/entertainment
-Champagne for Toasting
-Bridal/Groomsmen Party Gifts
-Engagement Party
-Invitations

• Announcement
• Directions
• RSVP cards
• Stamps

-Thank you cards
-Makeup/Hair for Bridal Party

Now that you have a sense of what a Wedding entails, prioritize what is important and spend where it counts. Go through the above list and see where you can save by doing it yourself, finding good deals, or friends who can provide the service to you for free.

Example:

-Photographer/Videographer: find a friend who can do it for less
-Invitations: DIY them
-Centerpieces: DIY them, enlist your bridal party to help
-Favors: find cheap favors online for wholesale price (look into ebay)
-Cake: have a two tiered cake and the rest as sheet cakes to serve (its cheaper if you do this method instead of the 4 -6 tiered cake)
-Flowers: DIY them if you can or find a friend who knows how to arrange flowers
-Programs: print them yourself
-Venue: have it in your back yard or a rich friend's back yard