Avoid overly elaborate dresses because they will be more expensive.

Choose a floor sample dress and just have it dry cleaned if necessary.

Look for your dress during prom and homecoming or consider wearing a bridesmaid dress. You can find a beautiful white or cream colored dress during that would be perfect for a wedding at a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding dress.

Look at consignment shops and the classified ads. Wedding dresses are generally only worn once so you can get a gently used dress at a huge cost savings.

Keep the number of guests down. You and the groom should look at the first draft of the guest list and carefully consider who can be taken off the list.

Have a cash bar instead of an open bar. Or you can also just provide wine and beer to keep the costs down.

Hold the ceremony and reception in the same location. You will be able to cut the cost of the location for the ceremony, decorations and transportation to the reception site.