There are several things you can do when decorating for wedding reception to give your guests a beautiful experience and save money.  Here are some cash saving secrets to help you with your decorating.

1. Upgrade Anyone?  Did you know that signing a contract with wedding vendors is usually never final.  Most contracts you sign will allow you to upgrade your package.  Whether it is the photographer, band, DJ, reception venue, or caterer, they will all be happy to take more of your money at any time.  But beware!  Most do not allow you to downgrade your packages.  Therefore, create a budget and stick to it.  Not just a budget for the reception, but for the entire wedding.  That way, you know how much you have to spend and if you spend less in one area, like flowers, then you can spend more in another area, like the honeymoon.  Remember, no last minute additions, no one will miss them…

2.  Timing is Everything.  Having an afternoon wedding reception on any day but Saturday during the months of January, February, March or November will save you an enormous amount of money.  Then you can use that extra cash to decorate.

3.  Enjoy the Outdoors.  Allow Mother Nature to decorate for you.  Having an outdoor reception, even if you must rent a tent, is an incredible cost savings.  Incorporate a theme that takes advantage of the outdoors, like beach style wedding and you’ve created a magical wedding day.

4.  Just Spend a Dollar.  Don’t overlook your local Dollar stores when hunting for the perfect decorations.  They will have a selection of party favors, candles, candle holders, silk flowers and vases that can be used.  Decorating for wedding reception doesn’t have to cost you a small fortune.

5.  Do It Yourself or at least some of it.  Wedding do it yourself…when people see that put together it brings thoughts of hours of hard labor in solitude scrambling to get numerous projects done before the wedding date.  Well, that image is wrong!  Doing one or two projects will save you money and will not require hours of hard labor or any added stress.  Creating your own silk bouquets and arrangements, centerpieces or reception party favors can add up to quite a savings.  And if you have more ambition, talent and time, do more and create even greater savings.

Remember, when decorating for wedding reception, it doesn’t matter how much you spend or where you get your decorations.  Focus on pulling it all together.  The presentation is what your guests will see and that is what you will remember for years to come.