Have your cake and eat it, too:

A wedding doesn't have to tie your budget in knots

10 Tips for a Beautiful Wedding that Won't Break the Bank

By Karen Petit

The Mitchell House and Gardens

You're engaged to be married, but you want to keep your budget intact. 

            With couples watching their dollars and not just their pennies, a memorable wedding with the air of splendor isn't impossible on a budget, says Phyllis James, owner of The Mitchell House and Gardens in Lexington, S.C., where thousands of brides have said "I Do" since the gracious Southern home was renovated and opened in 1992 as a special event and wedding location.

            "Some of the most beautiful weddings have  been the simplest," said James who works with her staff to create the wedding dreams of brides and grooms. "We offer packages with elaborate menus and packages for couples who want a beautiful wedding within a specific budget."

            Here are 10 tips from The Mitchell House staff to help brides create the day of their dreams and save money:

Location, Location!

Choose a location where you can have your wedding AND your reception.  This can save money because you won't have to decorate two different venues.  Special event locations, such as The Mitchell House and Gardens in Lexington, S.C., offer stress-free wedding planning because their staff of experts will guide you through all of the details, says Patsy Kiser, vice president of The Mitchell House.

Invite from Your "A List." 

Choose the people who are the most special to you to invite. By keeping your guest list to family members and friends who mean the most to you, you'll have a beautiful, memorable wedding with those you love -- and you'll save money in the long run.

Let Nature Help You Decorate! 

An outdoor wedding/reception with lush lawns, the green of trees, blooming flowers or the rich tones of autumn will help trim your decoration costs and provide a beautiful backdrop for your special day.  Even the winter landscape can be dramatic. Outdoor trees and shrubs can be decorated with white lights, and a dusting of snow adds a cozy touch. No one does décor better than Mother Nature!

Timing Is Everything!

Be flexible with your timing.  A morning or afternoon wedding probably will cost you less in the long run on food because you won't be serving as many heavy hors d'oeuvres or a seated meal that usually come with a more formal, evening wedding.   Morning weddings with brunch food are gaining in popularity, as are afternoon weddings.  The fare will be lighter – not your wallet!

Fewer Are Fine.

Limit the number of people in your wedding party.  This will help you cut down on the costs of bridesmaid/groomsmen gifts, as well as flowers (bouquets and boutonnieres).  Many young people struggle with the costs of being a wedding attendant and probably would welcome the opportunity to be an honorary attendant so that they'll have fewer responsibilities and less of a financial commitment.

Know It All!

When choosing a venue for your wedding and/or reception, ask questions so that you'll know all of the services that are included in the prices that you're quoted.  Is the rental fee for the facility included in the price you're quoted, or is it separate? Are chairs, tables, linens provided? What about cleaning costs?  "Hidden costs" add up quickly.  And don't forget to ask about a gratuity:  Some venues charge double-digit gratuity fees that can put a huge dent in your budget – 21 percent at the end is not pocket change!

Forget the favors!

Don't spend money on favors, which can be costly and forgotten quickly.  In fact, most guests don't keep them.  The opportunity to attend your wedding and be treated to a reception is favor enough!  Let the money allotted for favors go toward enhancing the food budget for your reception.

The Drink's On …

Many couples are choosing not to serve alcohol, particularly at morning and afternoon weddings.  You also can save by limiting the number of hours that you'll have a bar or by serving only wine and beer.  And before you say "no," consider this: Cash bars also are catching on, and, with the economic downturn, most guests don't expect the wedding couple to have unlimited budgets for alcohol.

"Say It with Flowers!"

This advertising slogan stresses the special role that flowers have in creating your wedding memories.  Nicole Lee, a floral designer at The Mitchell House, says that brides can save money by choosing flowers that are in season and by working with a florist who is willing to work with your budget.  Bridesmaids can carry a single calla lily or rose; you'll usually spend less on nosegays than large bouquets; and some brides are opting out on flowers except for their attendants. 

Lee says you can create your own special style without breaking the bank!

 Remember What Day It Is!

Finally, remember what day this is – the day that you're marrying the love of your life.  While you want this day to be beautiful and memorable, it is a celebration of your love and your future together.  It is not a Broadway production!  Guests always remember how the bride looked and the food that was served.  Many other costly details will be overlooked and forgotten in the years ahead.  "Less is more" may be just the mantra you're looking for!

And on that special day … the best advice to brides and their mothers: You've worked hard to plan a beautiful event, so let the burden slide off your shoulders.  Laugh, love, enjoy, dance -- and have a blast!

** Source: The Mitchell House and Gardens, Lexington, S.C.