Budget and Priorities

• How cheap is a cheap wedding? Determine that first and set your overall budget for the wedding. There will be some necessary expenditures, no matter how low your budget, so you need to know how much money you have to work with. Once you've determined the amount you can spend, make a list of priorities. What elements of a wedding are most important: food, music, ceremony, flowers? Decide on the top priorities so you can spend your money accordingly.
  
  

Cutting Out

• Trim the fluff. You don't have to have elaborate invitations, guest favors, parking attendants or a five-piece band for the reception. Remind yourself that just because something is an option, doesn't mean it is a necessity.
  
  

Guest List

• Small is better when it comes to keeping things inexpensive. The more people you have coming, the more money you will find yourself obligated to spend on parking arrangements, a larger location and adequate food. Start with family members and close friends, only. Set a number and eliminate people you don't know well, people you haven't seen in years, business associates, out-of-town guests. People will understand when you explain that you have decided to have a simple, small family wedding.
  
  

Frugal Wedding Food

• The more you make yourself, the more money you save. Call on friends and family members to help out. Go for appetizers and desserts rather than a full meal. Plan on simple recipes that can be made ahead of time. You might splurge on the wedding cake and do the rest yourself with the help of friends. You can also get friends to help with the last-minute preparation, the serving and the clean-up. Just be sure you talk to them ahead of time and everyone knows their duties.
  
  

DIY Decorations

• As with food, decorations are cheaper when you make them yourself. Keep it simple. Browse the Internet and wedding magazines for ideas that you can do yourself. Call on your creative friends to step in and help you out. Promise them chocolate as a reward.
  You can cut your floral bill drastically by going with flowers that are in season and available locally. Talk to your florist frankly about the amount of money you have to spend and plan together to get the most for that amount of money. You may be able to purchase some flowers wholesale, as well, or purchase the flowers from your florist and do the arrangements yourself.