Talk about money: Sit down with your fiance and go through your bank statements, pay stubs, bills, and other financial records. Discuss how much each of you can afford to put toward the wedding.

Write it down: You might think this goes without saying, but some brides just never get around to doing it. Put everything down on paper.  If you find that one area (wedding dress, let’s say) turns out to be more than you planned on, you have two choices: find something cheaper, or readjust your spending in other areas (such as toning down the flower arrangements or limiting the alcohol.)

Save wherever you can: Here are a few suggestions: Skip the popcorn at the theater, and spend time watching a movie at home and cuddling with your fiance. Cook dinner together instead of going out to your favorite restaurant. Make a commitment to put 10 percent of every paycheck into your wedding fund. A few small changes here and there can add up!

Talk to your parents: Although most couples are now paying for more of the wedding costs that they did in the past, often parents are more than happy to contribute. Find out how much they can afford to invest in your big day.

Prioritize: Once you know how much money is at your disposal, rank the importance of each wedding expense. The more imporant things get a larger chunk of the pie.

Get a wedding planner: Although a consultant might charge as much as 10 percent of your wedding budget, he or she could keep you from going over budget and into debt.  Let your wedding planner know how much you can spend, what your priorities are, and give her a realistic picture of the wedding you hope to have.

Don’t sweat the small stuff: Weddings are expensive, and you may not have the fairy tale affair you once dreamed of.  That’s OK. Trends and styles come and go, but you’ll always have the photos, dried flowers, and memories– and those are priceless.

feature image from wedding planning basics

Wedding Dress Blog points out that “given that the average wedding these days will set you back about $20,000, you may be looking for ways to keep your special day from costing more than the down payment on your first condo. A little creative thinking can cut your wedding tab 25% to 50%. Think nontraditional. Think memorable. Think laser tag, as my colleague Robert Brokamp and his bride did for their nuptials…”

Wedding Dress Blog presents us with a few ways to save on your big day:

Timing is everything: Lovebirds pay a premium to tie the knot on a Saturday or in June. Pair the two and you’re facing a few extra Gs on the bill. Off months such as March and April are more affordable, as are morning weddings where expenses such as food, transportation, and hall rentals can be a lot cheaper.

Location, location, location: Modern Bride estimates that a wedding reception costing $4,000 in San Diego would cost $9,000 in Chicago and $15,000 in New York City. See? Even not-so-small towns have their charm. Wouldn’t your mom be thrilled if you got married in your childhood stomping grounds? Your guests will certainly appreciate cheaper lodging costs. Even if you live in a high-priced city, nontraditional places such as public parks and art galleries can cost less than rental halls and hotel ballrooms.

Bite your tongue: Anything that has the word “wedding” attached to it can instantly fetch a 25% premium (or more) over the generic version. When shopping for your cake, flowers, tablecloth, “ring pillow,” or dress, beeline away from any options preceded by the “w” word.

Put your pals to work: In lieu of another Crate & Barrel tchotchke, ask your talented friends for a gift that you could really use: their help. Perhaps you know someone who can perform music at the service (or change the CDs you and your sweetheart make yourself), take photographs, tend bar, or play videographer — all functions that will cost you $500-$900 to have someone else do. Chances are your best friend’s brother won’t charge a corking fee.

Trim the guest list: At $80 per person for food, wine, cake, napkins, and every one of your variable costs, this is the fastest way to save. Remember, this isn’t just some kegger that’s open to all of your office mates. It’s your wedding.

Just say “no”: Anti-etiquette bride and author of Fire Your Wedding Planner Stephi Stewart says that assertive brides and grooms need to learn to just say “no.” Party favors? Feh. Engraved napkins? Puh-leeze.

Dream of the future: Before you shampoo the rice and rose petals out of your hair, start planning your financial future — together. Saving for a house, college for future critters, paying cash for a vacation — these should all be things in the back of your mind before you write a check for your wedding gown.

Image from weddingscenter.com

As people who sell wedding insurance like to point out, the average wedding in the USA costs $27,000, and in such a case wedding insurance would become a necessity (and a mere drop in the bucket, too).  If you are having a less expensive affair, you may decide to forgo the insurance. You can also get a less expensive policy that covers a specific risk (such as your luggage getting lost en route to your destination wedding; in such a case wedding insurance would cover the cost of quickly replacing your gowns and tux’s.)

About.com lists the following things that Wedding Insurance typically covers (Be sure to read the fine print of your policy to make sure they cover these things!) :

• Weather If your celebration has to be postponed because of rain or other bad weather, your policy should cover the cost of rescheduling.
• Illness or Injury If essential people get sick or injured, causing the wedding to be postponed, the expenses involved are covered.
• A Missing Officiant If your minister, justice of the peace, rabbi or other celebrant doesn’t show up, you’ll recoup some of your costs.
• Missing vendors Similarly, if your caterer, florist, photographer, or other key vendor is missing in action, you’ll recover some costs and possibly the costs of rescheduling the whole thing. (Er, can’t imagine rescheduling my whole wedding because the florist didn’t show up, but to each his own…)
• Your Location If your ceremony and reception sites don’t already carry their own insurance, your wedding insurance policy can cover damage to the site, fire, electrical or mechanical problems, or going out of business that causes you to lose money or have to reschedule.

You can also purchase additional riders, such as:

• Military Service Should the bride or groom be in the military or active reserves, you’ll want to be insured in case they are called to duty suddenly and everything has to be postponed.
• Your Gowns and Tuxedos including stores going out of business or damage.
• Gifts If your homeowners or renters insurance doesn’t cover them, you may want to protect against theft or damage of gifts.
• Liability Most sites carry liability insurance, but if you’re having your wedding at home, you’ll want to be protected in case a guest gets hurt or hurts someone else.
• Honeymoon Protect yourself against having to cancel your trip due to illness, bad weather or other unfortunate circumstances.

In case you had the same question lingering in the back of you mind… canceling because one person gets cold feet, or ditches the other at the alter doesn’t qualify!

This is the hard lesson learned by Lindsay Zora who hired someone to do her engagement portrait, wedding photography, and album. After paying him $1,200, he took the portraits but never showed up at the wedding. Turns out, the Better Business Bureau has received at least eight complaints against the very same studio, and it’s always the same thing: No wedding album.

“You just need to check references or ask for references when you can. If I could do it over again, that would definitely be what I’d ask for,” says Zora, a bride who unfortunately learned this lesson the hard way.

Wedding Channel has some good advice on checking references for a videographer. These tips can be applied to other service providers as well. If your videographer can’t provide wedding references, they say, keep looking for someone who can. “Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event that should be captured by someone who is experienced, talented, and comes recommended by other couples. If you’re in the least bit anxious about calling or emailing a reference, don’t be. Usually, newlyweds can’t talk enough about their weddings, and will gladly clue you in on their experiences.” For more information and a list of questions to get you started, visit weddingchannel.com.

eHow has advice on interveiwing a wedding planner. All Time Favorites has tips on picking a DJ. Bridal Guide can teach you how to be contract savvy. A little preparation can go a long way toward helping you enjoy your big day!