Photo: Illustration by Christina Park
Let's face it: weddings aren't cheap. With what feels like endless expenses, it's hard to imagine how you could ever host your ideal "I dos" without breaking the bank. But believe it or not, it's possible to plan your dream wedding on a budget.
Have you always dreamed of a gorgeous designer wedding dress or a towering five-tiered wedding cake? Maybe you have your heart set on a certain venue, or always expected you'd host a farm-to-table seated dinner reception. It's possible to make it all happen, but the key here is to compromise.
See More: Dollars and Sense: Answers to Important Wedding Budget Questions
We asked top planners, caterers, bakers, florists, and bloggers to share their best-kept secrets on the best places to trim $500 off your budget. Whether it's little-known secrets that save big or some of the best haggling tips, we have 50 ways where you can shave half a grand off your bottom line. And whether you try two, 10, or all 50 of these tips, you'll start to see those details that seemed so far out of reach before can still fit into your budget.
Whether you choose to go for the big picture ideas (like getting married on a holiday, selecting digital invites, or hosting a buffet reception) or focus on lots of small details (like your menu options, the flowers in your bouquet, and what kinds of alcohol you serve) you can pick and choose to save in the places that feel least important to you. We also compiled tips on how to negotiate with the vendors you have, and the small things you can do to get a better deal.
Ready to start slashing your wedding budget?
Click through to see our 50 tips to save $500 on your wedding in the full slideshow!