* Kids can get bored during the wedding reception. So instead of having kids seated at the same table with the adults, you can have an area where kids can be more casual and can have a small party of their own.  And make sure you ask your caterer for special pricing for a specific children’s menu.

* Why not inquire with cooking or culinary arts schools for your reception meal?  They may agree to cater for the reception for just the price of the food, or perhaps, a little more. You may also have a pot luck by asking family members and close friends to cook a dish. I was recently at a wedding where this was done and the food was wonderful!

* If you wanted to cut down on the cost for the wedding party, invite more people to the engagement party instead. Usually, only cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served, which cost less than the full set of meals for the wedding reception guests.

* For the music, you can look for a local college band or DJ. You can also have your favorite songs just downloaded from the Internet and saved to an mp3 player or CD to be played over the speakers during the reception.

* Personalize the decorations. Handmade decorations not only add a personal touch to the celebration, but also cuts down on the cost.

* Consider renting. Most of the items that will be used for decorations will not be used again. These include the centerpieces, the vases, the arc ways and the artificial flower arrangements. So ask your wedding decorator for options to rent these pieces.

* When considering the cost of church decorations, check if there will be another couple that will get married on the same day. They may want to coordinate what decorations can be used for both wedding ceremonies to lessen the need to change decorations before or after the wedding and to split the cost.

Just remember that the essence of marriage is in the union and not in the celebration. Your family and friends are there to rejoice this wonderful event with you but won’t be helping you pay off the bills in the months and years ahead.