Sonya Cogan Photography: RECOMMENDED WEDDING VENDORS AND MONEY SAVING TIPS

Money Saving Tips

Having a hard time finding that perfect dress in local stores? Have one custom made exactly how you want it! Just bring a photo to wedding dress expert designer and seamstress Katherine Love 918-1533 and she will make it for you using the finest fabrics.

Consider a civic site like a garden or city park for the ceremony. They're often available for a small fee which can save a lot.

Hold your wedding at a time of year and/or day of the week that is in less demand. For example, location fees for Friday or Sunday can be less expensive than a Saturday. Also, avoiding peak months like April thru September can save you money as well.

Create your own invitations, programs, and RSVP cards by purchasing the materials at your local office-supply store and print everything out on your own printer. I recommend Vista Print. Just go to www.vistaprint.com and you can design your own invitations and other materials at a fraction of the cost, printed on lovely linen paper. What's more, you can personalize it to exactly how you want them to look, so they're creative and unique to your personality.

Use candles in your choice of beautiful shapes and sizes to inexpensively create a fabulous mood. Candles make lovely centerpieces on tables and are a fraction of the cost of flowers. Places like Hobby Lobby often have half off sales on their candles and other accessories.

Hiring a great deejay over a band will definitely save you money, and the broader range of music will also be a much better entertainment choice. Deejays also keep a schedule and know how to fit in all the events like cake cutting, toast, etc. as well as playing a great variety of music!

Consider using fresh flowers on your cake instead of labor intensive sugar ones.

Skip the dessert table and have your wedding cake be the dessert.

Instead of open bar have a cash bar with a bartender. Guests are less likely to drink too much and any liability is not on you.

Buy small candy bars and replace the outside wrappers with printed pictures of the couple's engagement photo, plus their names and wedding date. It's the perfect customized wedding favor. Who doesn't love chocolate?

Skip a designated "champagne toast." Allow your guests to toast with whatever they are already drinking at that moment.

Chose a plated meal over a buffet. Sometimes a plated meal is less expensive because the food costs are less for the caterer, so be sure and ask which is less expensive.

Finally, remember it's your day so do what makes you happy. And Congratulations!