Gifts and Etiquette

Tie the Knot on a Shoestring is all about offering creative ways you can save money on your wedding without sacrificing quality. In keeping with that spirit, I've put together this top 10 list, featuring some of the tips from the book.

Top 10 Ways to Tie the Knot on a Shoestring

10. Finalize your budget and guest list before you spend a dime. Otherwise, you may end up buying things or putting deposits on places that end up not being appropriate for the style or size of your wedding.
9. Keep your bridal party to a minimum. The more people in your wedding, the more gifts you have to buy, hotels you have to pay for and other expenses that go along with have a large wedding party
8. Find a white dress, but not necessarily a gown. Don’t let bridal magazines fool you into thinking that you have to have a wedding gown that looks like something a royal or a celeb would wear. Many stores have lovely white dresses that are formal and as fabulous as gowns can be but cost significantly less than a “gown.”
7. Don’t be afraid to DIY or do-it-yourself. Make your own invitations, do your own hair, use fresh picked flowers for a bouquet—all of these DIY methods can save you big bucks.
6. Make sure your reception music matches your wedding. There’s no need to hire a 12-piece orchestra to entertain the guests at your Sunday brunch. Instead, load up your MP3 player and let that little machine spin the tunes for you (for free)!
5. Give back for your favors instead of giving tchotkes. Couples who opt to make a donation to charity in lieu of traditional favors usually end up spending a lot less in the end. Plus, you’ll have done something good—supporting a good cause—on your very special day.
4. Find a simple set of wheels to get you to the church (or synagogue) on time. Don’t waste your money on a stretch limo if a Lincoln Town Car, PT Cruise or VW Beetle will be equally as efficient (and much cheaper) as your means of transportation.
3. Don’t be embarrassed to barter. If you’ve got a marketable skill that a wedding vendor might find valuable, see if he or she will barter their big day services for whatever service you can offer to them.
2. Consider a destination wedding in your honeymoon locale. Destination weddings tend to attract fewer guest, meaning you’ll be paying less, and if you get married in the place where you’ll be honeymooning, you won’t have to pay extra for travel, because you’ll already be there!

And the number one way to tie the knot on a shoestring:

1. Don’t be a June bride. Let the folks with fat wallets pay prime prices during high wedding season. If you plan your wedding for another month, you’ll get better deals