There are obvious places to save money when you’re planning a wedding with a tight budget: fewer flowers; fewer guests; a sit-down dinner instead of buffet; fewer attendants; a D.J. instead of a band; and the list goes on. But have you ever suggested that your couple focus on their venue as a cost-cutting measure? A venue that acts as a gorgeous backdrop is a venue that needs little decor to make it fabulous.

We love beach and lake-side weddings, especially if the ceremony takes place as the sun sets. You can’t get much more beautiful than that, and the colorful sky will look glorious in the couple’s photos. And while church weddings aren’t every couple’s first choice they’re often a good venue because for one, they’re often free or come with a low fee, and two, they’re often filled with gorgeous lighting and architecture. Those last two are things that bridal couples can pay a fortune for if they’re not careful.

When it comes to decorating these venues go with the mantra that Less Is More. Focus on the parts of the ceremony where guests will focus their attention: the altar. Extraneous decor down the aisle and on benches and chairs is pretty, but it’s often bought with money that is better used elsewhere. And make the flowers work double-duty! A certified wedding and event planner is always thinking ahead and knows that those arrangements can be moved to the reception. All it takes is staying a step ahead of the guests, and most of them will never know that the arrangements are “recycled.” You can also use the bridesmaids’ bouquets at the reception. They make adorable table arrangements when popped into crystal vases, and they’re a nice addition to the cake table, too, when laid around the cake in a circle.

Saving a couple’s money is something that they’ll thank you for forever. Everybody wants to have a beautiful wedding no matter what their budget is. A wedding coordinator can only do so much - even when he or she is super-creative - but having a fabulous venue in their back pocket is a guaranteed way to pack a lot of punch into any wedding.

Tags: ceremony, decor, style, venue, wedding

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