Since keeping the reception simple and casual is the wedding trend for this year, the same idea can go to your wedding gown.   As you can imagine a formal cathedral train gown with luxurious beading probably doesn’t fit too well with a cozy backyard affair, this is the perfect time to find a less formal gown and save yourself thousand of dollars!

You don’t necessarily have to go to bridal shops to buy those three thousand dollars gown.  Many high end department stores or evening gown boutiques offer a wide selection of gowns.  Given that the less formal gowns usually don’t have as much fabric, embroidery and beading; therefore, the prices are truly attractive!

Jessica McClintock — $171.60

Jessica McClintock — $283.50

BCBG — $298.00

BCBG — $348.00

BCBG — $378.00

See?  Not only they are designer brand gowns, they are all under $400!  Because they look less formal, you will have opportunity to wear it again for some other special occasions.  If you don’t want to stick with a white gown after the wedding, simply dye it in your favorite color and turn it into another gorgeous evening gown!

If you, on the other hand, have been dreaming about the more traditional and formal wedding gown ever since you’re 3, why not checking out some pre-loved gowns around your neighborhood or visit an awesome website like http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/.

What does your gown look like, and how much did you save on your dress?   Take a picture of yourself in a gown and share with us!

In the previous post, I’ve shared budget ideas on venue and food.  Yes, I have touched on dessert too… but who will go against the idea of more dessert talk?  I came across a website and feel the absolute necessity to share with you people.  As you all know, cupcakes have taken over the wedding world and hit the mainstream for awhile now; however, I personally feel that no matter how gorgeous cupcakes look, they are never perfect.  I find that most cupcakes are either too sweet or too oily, too much frosting or too much cake.  That’s why someone create a brilliant invention called Lollicake!

Just by looking at the name, you probably have an idea that lollicake is a mix of lollipop and cake together.  It is a heavenly combination of  delicious handmade cake atop a lollipop stick with a crunchy chocolate shell.  Not only these 2-3 bites desserts look amazingly cute, they are also perfect for your diet and your budget.

The flavors that you can choose from are just as good as the cupcakes.  For example:

• Strawberry cake and vanilla frosting dipped in vanilla
• Mint chocolate cake and chocolate frosting dipped in chocolate
• Chocolate cake and peanut butter chips, and chocolate frosting dipped in chocolate
• Lemon cake, vanilla frosting dipped in vanilla
• Carrot cake, cream cheese frosting dipped in vanilla

With these individually wrapped bite size lollicakes, not only you don’t have to worry about the leftover cake, they also make wonderful party favors!  Something sweet, something pretty, something mini and something budget-friendly…. what’s not to love?

Fine dining restaurants, golf clubs and hotels have always been the favorite venue choices of all times, but not this year anymore!  Now that we are bringing weddings back to basics, venue can be as close as your parents’ backyard!  Backyard and barn weddings are getting more popular as ever, because it creates a much more personal and intimate atmosphere for your guests.  When the ambiance can put your family and friends at ease, you can also go for a more casual menu selection which will save you a fortune, such as:  bite size finger food, home cook soul food and barbecue dinner.

For dessert, the traditional wedding cake was so outdated!  Go for ideas like cupcakes, candy station, macaroons tower, cream puffs tower, and ice cream sundae station.  Not only does it look pretty, colorful, and bring out the childhood of your guests,  it is a budget saver as well.  Given that each slice of wedding cake costs at least $5.50 and a fancy cupcake is only about $3.00, no wonder it has been such a huge hit in weddings and the trend is still going strong.

During this difficult economy, even though most couples will cut down the wedding budget, but it doesn’t mean you have to cut down the style and class.  It is the perfect time for you to let your creativity shine!  What are your ways of cutting costs in venue & food?