Weddings are a special event, but it’s a shame that they cost so much. Well it doesn’t have to be this way. There are plenty of ways you can have a great wedding without letting the costs get out of hand. Having had two daughters go through the process I’ve picked up on a few handy tips for keeping the financial stress out of the wedding day.

First of all it’s important to set a budget. If you just spend as you go the cost of your wedding will really blow out. Sit down with your partner (plus parents if they’re paying) and talk about how much you want to spend on your wedding, or what you can afford, and create a budget. A general rule of thumb is to allocate half of your budget to the reception. Then split the rest evenly between music, photography, flowers, the bride’s getup and extras like invitations and the groom’s suit.

Trim the guestlist. Now, I know this is easier said than done, especially if you have a large family or circle of friends, but you'd be surprised how quickly a few extra people can bump up the cost. Think about inviting some to the ceremony but not the reception. And forget the “and partner” invitation. It’s just too expensive to invite someone you don’t know.

Choose your reception venue wisely. This is always the biggest cost so should shop around for the best deal and weigh up whether a certain spot is really worth the price that comes with it. Try and get a cheaper rate for off-peak times (you’ll be amazed how cheap Grand Final Day and mid-winter can be).

You can also reduce the cost with more simple food packages and being able to supply the drinks yourself. Some good friends of mine have had cocktail-style receptions which are much cheaper. The Father of the Bride gave the newly weds a cheque when they were engaged and explained it was to pay for the wedding but they could keep anything they didn’t spend. Smart.

Cut-out the little extras. Think about some of the following: borrowing friends cars rather than hiring fancy ‘wedding cars’. Getting a friend to be the photographer. Buy a second-hand dress. Avoid the expensive flower arrangements, go with candles or balloons instead.

Another great tip is to avoid mentioning the word “wedding” in your planning. Suppliers often jack up their prices specifically for weddings.

I know the wedding day has to be special, but that doesn’t mean it has to cost an arm and a leg. Just like when making any financial decision, you should look at the ways you can save money and decide what’s necessary and what’s not.