You can save on your wedding day

The average American wedding these days can cost well over $20,000. You could buy a new car or make a down payment on a home with that money. I wanted to have a glorious big day WITHOUT getting hitched to mound of debt that would take years to pay. This is what I did to stay frugal but still have a fabulous wedding.

Do you really need a wedding planner? You can save thousands if you plan your wedding yourself. I found there are plenty of Web sites and magazines like TheKnot.com and Martha StewartWeddings.com with advice to guide you through the process. Understand, though, that while you’re saving money, you’re going to be using up a lot of your own time. And the day of the wedding, I needed some super wonderful friends on hand at the site to help make sure everything went smoothly with the set-up.

Be flexible on the date and time. The offseason is your friend if you want to save when you book your wedding site. And how about a daytime wedding? Saturday at 7 p.m. is the most popular time for wedding receptions. If you have your wedding during the day, you can save the evening for the after-party (trust me—there's always an after-party) or some romantic time with your brand new spouse!

Choose a buffet over a sit-down dinner. It's less formal and less expensive, so you win all around!

Buy your own alcohol. Caterers make a lot of money from marking up drinks. Buying your own beverages is another way to knock thousands off your big day's price tag. And you get to keep any leftovers yourself! I had cases of wine and beer that lasted for months.

Try the sample sales. Wedding gown sample sales really aren't as bad as that "running of the brides" stampede you see on TV every year. Before I went to one, I did my homework, going to stores to see how much new gowns cost. So when I saw a real silk dress at a super low price, and then they knocked another thousand dollars off, I knew I had a bargain.

Go for a DJ over a live band. Do you really want to hear someone else cover the original songs that you love? Just be sure to pick a DJ that's on the same page as you music-wise so you don't end up with someone super cheesy. I had a "no Celine Dion' clause for the contract with my DJ.

Easy on the flowers. Do you remember the flowers from any of your friends' and family's weddings? Didn't think so. Flowers are another item that can really set you back. Going for something less elaborate and in-season will help you save.

Finally, remember this day is about you and your fiance. Any personal touches you can give to the wedding that reflect you both as a couple will give your wedding flair without adding expense. And wouldn't you rather have your guests remember your wedding for its unique charm rather than for the mound of money you spent?

Do you have any tips on saving money on the big day? Share them with us!

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