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2 6  A l a s k a B r i d e & G r o o m  2025• Setting The Date • Saturdays are the most popular – and expensive – days for weddings, so why not consider another day such as a Friday or Sunday. Many ceremony and reception venues, as well as other vendors, will have less expensive rates on weekdays and Sundays. You might also find that some bigger venue sites are more willing to accommodate small weddings on an off day.• Think off-peak season and save thousands! Consider scheduling your event between late September and early spring, avoiding the more expensive “peak season.” If your guests require accommodations, affordable rooms are often more readily available during the off season. • The Guest List • Cut your guest list. The simple truth is that there is no quicker, easier way to save money than by limiting the size of the event. • Venues• Hold your wedding and reception at the same venue. The payoff: one less site fee and no need to pay transportation fees from one location to another.• Set your sights on venues that specialize in weddings. These often offer great package deals that include nearly everything you need for your special day, like catering, decorations, rentals and more. • Trim the length of your reception. Even doing three hours instead of four or five will save you significant money. Trust us, your guests will enjoy themselves just as much.• Food & Drinks • Consider having a morning or afternoon wedding, so you can serve lunch or brunch instead of dinner. That will keep the cost of food way down. And, guests tend to drink less alcohol in the afternoon than in the evening.• Instead of offering a full bar, save money by serving only beer, wine and a signature drink of your choice.• Skip the champagne for toasts and let guests toast with their existing drinks, such as wine or cocktails. You don’t have to have champagne for toasts!• Host a brunch wedding. People will drink much less and your overall day likely will be shorter. Brunch food, specifically, can often be less expensive than dinner.• Hold down expenses by skipping the sit-down meal. Consider a cocktail party featuring hors d’oeuvres and food stations. You’ll save on a full catering staff and total cost per person.• Close the open bar an hour before the end of the reception and offer coffee. You’ll save on countless drinks; even better, guests will have a chance to sober up before they head out to the road.• Pare down your cake bill by having the baker prepare a small customdesigned cake for photos and the cutting ceremony and a large sheet cake (which is less expensive to make but still delicious) to be served to your guests. Have the cake sliced in the kitchen and your guests will never know they aren’t eating the confection they watched you cut.Creative ways to stretch your wedding dollars (and still wow guests)Best Budget Tips;Think an elegant look for your wedding day has to cost big bucks? Think again. With a bit of research, a big dose of imagination and attention to detail, you can plan a perfectly posh party without breaking the bank. Here are 20 cost-cutting ideas to inspire you!