Chances are that, if you’re getting married this summer, you already have your arrangements semi-set in stone by now. That’s just the nature of the multi-headed wedding beast that is vendors, caterers, churches, photographers, etc., which all require months if not YEARS advance booking. However, no matter the deposits you may have already put down, you still have a bit of time to save some money on your big day. Here are a few less expensive wedding tricks to consider.

Cut back on your wedding party, or opt for no attendants at all. This will primarily save your friends the expense of being in your wedding, but will also benefit you. With minimal attendants, you’ll need less time with the photographer and order fewer prints, you won’t have to rent a huge limo or trolley to transport everyone between the ceremony and reception, and it’ll streamline the receiving line and introductions. Plus, then your friends can spend their money on the critical stuff, like buying you a lovely gift.

Depending on the venue for your reception, you may be able to get away with no bartender, hence no bartending fee. Instead, consider personalized drink stations where guests can pour their beverages. Pinterest has a ton of wedding-appropriate ideas, from a wheelbarrow full of ice and beer to oversized glass drink dispensers. You can even get tips on how to “dress up” a self-serve keg; just be sure to coordinate with your caterer. Of course, some of your friends, and maybe even some family members, may take self-serve to the extreme, in which case proceed with caution. You know your guests and whether it would be appropriate to speak to your heavy drinkers before your big day. Make it known that you want everyone to enjoy themselves, but also to be responsible. Consider closing down your stations during dinner or after a certain hour of the reception. Again, coordinate with the venue and your caterer for the best solution. If it’s possible, bring in your own beverages, like wine and soda, which will also be less expensive. Oh, and that friend who is saving a ton of money NOT being in your wedding, maybe reach out and ask if they could monitor the drink stations on your behalf.

Keep the frills and flowers to a minimum. In the grand scheme of things, of course, you want to have a perfectly coordinated wedding with gorgeous blossoms and standout decorations, but in truth, most of your guests won’t really notice or appreciate those details of your wedding. The only centerpieces in my long history of wedding attendance that I can recall, and were really impressed by, were moss and stone terrariums at a wedding in South Carolina. Do you know why these stood out? Because that was a dry wedding with no music; they had to spend their budget on something.
Go with church lady cuisine. If your wedding is at a church with an adjoining hall and ladies’ auxiliary, book that service for your food instead of an outside caterer. Sure, you may not have the prime rib you’ve always dreamed of, but your guests will get a good meal, you’ll be giving more money to the church, and the women who cook for those weddings do NOT mess around. Trust me; you’ll get good service.

If you haven’t already set a date and/or time for your wedding, consider a daytime celebration. Brunch weddings are on the rise and are a less expensive alternative to an evening ceremony/reception since venues cost less to book during the daylight hours. Plus, serving breakfast is a thriftier option than a dinner buffet. If you are worried about guests taking advantage of those personalized drinks stations above, having a late morning/early afternoon reception will cut back on the chances of your nearest and dearest over-indulging.

If you’re still in the planning stages, when you shop around for florists, bakers, photographers, and venues try not to mention that you’re having a “wedding” right away. Many times, these service providers have different fees for different events, and weddings tend to get up-charged. Instead, say you are checking on prices for a party to get a ballpark estimate before they hear the cha-ching of wedding bells.

These are just a few tips and tricks for pulling off a frugal wedding. There are many ways in which you can DIY everything from invites to favors, get deals on group tux rentals, and take a simple mini-moon instead of a weeklong deluxe honeymoon. The important thing at the end of your wedding day is that you are beginning the next chapter of your life with a loving and committed partner, and were able to celebrate that fact surrounded by your family and friends.

This trend is as time-saving as it is money-saving, with the extra cash-in-pocket being a welcome bonus of the decision. Since most couples take time off work just to get married, it can be hard to also ask for vacation time for the honeymoon directly after the nuptials. For this reason, many newlyweds are opting for mini-moons — shorter, more local holidays to celebrate their new marriage — with plans of bigger blowouts in the future.