Angie's List

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Did you recently get engaged and now you're looking forward to planning the wedding? It can be a lot of fun but all those expenses really add up fast.

In this week's Angie's List Report, 3 On Your Side's Jim Donovan shows us how to have a great wedding, even on a small budget.

That's right. There's a lot to do when it comes to planning a wedding. There are venues to book, limos to rent, flowers and rings to buy. The list goes on an on. But there are ways to do it without breaking your budget.

"The biggest driver in the cost of the wedding is the guest list. Reduce your guest list by ten people, say at $100 a head, and you've just cut $1,000 out of your budget. A good rule of thumb when we talked wedding planners on Angie's List, was that if you haven't talked to someone in over a year, it would probably be ok to exclude them from the wedding list," said Angie's List founder, Angie Hicks.

And remember, the dresses doesn't have to cost a fortune for you to look like a million bucks.

"The key to the bridal gown is how well it fits the bride, not necessarily how expensive the dress is. There are many options whether you are buying something on sale, a consignment dress, or even buying a dress second-hand are all options, as long as you have it altered well to fit you," said Hicks.

But wedding planners say there are a some things you shouldn't skimp on.

"They should really look at spending a little extra on the photographer because that is the person who is going to make those pictures, that are going to last a lifetime, so you want to be sure they are good," said Hicks.

Cost-cutting Wedding Tips:

Guest List: Cutting the guest list is going to provide substantial savings. For example, if you haven't seen someone (yes, even relatives) in over a year - there's no need to extend · the invitation. At $100 a person, taking 10 guests off the list saves you $1,000!

· Wedding Date: Pick a wedding day other than Saturday. For example, Friday or Sunday food and beverage minimums are considerably less. If planning a destination wedding, consider marrying on a Wednesday or Thursday.

· The Venue: Have the wedding at a venue that has a caterer, chairs, tables, silverware, glassware, and table linens. If you opt for renting a space and having to bring everything in, it can add up very quickly. By using a venue that has everything, you could save up to 10%.

· The Dress: Bridal gowns can be purchased at dramatic discounts at consignment boutiques, and department stores. Do not be afraid to ask to see samples that have been in inventory for a long time. If you find one you like - ask for the best price. As long as the dress fits your body shape, it doesn't matter that you got it at a discount.

· Favors: Guests typically do not care about taking home a favor and in most cases they are thrown away at the end of the night. Instead, donate the dollars you would spend on favors to a charitable organization.

· Flowers: Always pick flowers that are in-season with your wedding; Choose flowers that are open and fuller - this will cut down on the amount; Re-use ceremony flowers at the reception. Large dramatic centerpieces can cost $500 or more - imagine having 20 tables! Consider a variety of centerpieces such as florals for 1/3 of the tables, dramatic candles for 1/3 and a smaller combination of flowers and candles for the remaining tables. At the end of the night, give the flowers to guest or donate to hospitals and nursing homes.

· Centerpieces: Take an environmentally friendly approach to reception flowers by providing centerpiece cakes on every table. There is no waste and the end of the night and guests will enjoy getting up and sampling other favors. Centerpiece cakes range from $35 to $100 each and provide huge savings over a one-time-use floral display.

· Food: Provide one main entrée to the guests rather than offering multiple choices; Offer two or three different hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour, rather than five or seven; Offer a plated meal rather than buffet. Buffets may cost more per person because the caterer does not want to run out of food.

· Drink: Host kegs of beer rather than individual bottled beer. A keg of beer will provide approximately 163 glasses for about $350, compared to 163 bottles of beer at $815.

· Invitations: Consider DIY. Doing it yourself is fairly simple with all the design programs available; or leave out engravings and decorative linings to cut down on costs.

· Lighting: Lighting is a dramatic and cost-effective way to transform the look of your wedding. Great lighting is simple and will save hundreds of dollars over dramatic centerpieces or linens. Light walls in dramatic colors or points of interest such as windows or columns.

· Entertainment: Hire a local cover band. Depending on your area, many cover bands can be hired for four hours at the same price as a DJ.

· Hire a pro: Consider hiring a professional wedding planner. They typically know the very best professionals for the budget and will negotiate discounts or complimentary upgrades.

Tips on where to splurge:

· Photography: The memories captured will last a lifetime and should not be left to amateurs.

Wedding bands: Your wedding rings are items that will be with you for a lifetime and you will be looking at every day

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