Planning a wedding can take months, but in the end, the magic of the day makes it all worth it. Speaking of big days, you’ll be dealing with big finances, and you’ve probably noticed that weddings can be expensive. If you and your future spouse are searching for a few ways to save on your wedding day, here is a list of tips.

1) Get married during the off-season

Couples who choose wedding dates in November or anytime in January through the end of March (with the exception of Valentine’s Day), can save 20 to 30 percent on their venue and other services.  Venues, caterers, and other vendors are most busy during the summer and spring, thus having your wedding outside these times can result in significant savings.  It is also a great idea if you can schedule your wedding day on any day other than Saturday, which is when a lot of people want to hold their celebration.  Couples who have a wedding on a Friday still have the weekend for guests to recover, but face less competition for wedding vendors.

Getting married in the fall is an excellent alternative if you are looking to save. 

2) Consider DIY craft ideas to save extra money. 

A personalized favor recipe might be the perfect DIY craft idea.

If you can do it yourself (and do it well), there’s no point in paying someone else to do it.  If you have more time than money, there are many wedding craft ideas that you can easily do yourself. Making your own centerpieces is an easy DIY option. By simply purchasing vases from your local arts and crafts store and filling them up with artificial flowers, you will have a beautiful centerpiece arrangement for your wedding. You can also come up with DIY party favors, such as boxes made out of papier-mâché. To add more to your personalized favor box, add a touch of ribbon or other appropriate décor which complements the theme of your wedding. Check out Etsy for more great DIY wedding ideas.

3) Purchase discount diamonds and pre-owned engagement rings

Many couples who are looking for that perfect ring feel overwhelmed at the cost and selection of diamonds and engagement rings.  One alternative to visiting the local jeweler (who has a giant markup on everything) is to purchase a discount diamond from a pre-owned engagement ring.  These diamonds are just like the ones at your local jeweler, except at a significantly lower price.  Discount diamonds provide a fantastic way to save money for the big day.

Although your wedding day will be one of the most important milestones of your marriage, smart brides find a way to make their money go further.  These three tips can keep you happily married with a few extra dollar bills in your pocket.