10 Ways to save for your big day

With the average wedding costing tens of thousands of pounds, it's important to get the best value you can for your hard-earned money. These tips will help you save you lots of money and provide lots of fun too!

1. Cake - It's a favourite DIY item at weddings but also one that can easily go wrong. Mums are brilliant for this job, since they often have a family recipe for a favourite cake, whether it's fruit, sponge, fairycakes or brownies. Try out a few recipes and decorations, have a practice run before the day to see if it can be made and decorated in time - and don't forget the cake stand! Real-life bride and Wedding Ideas forum member Alison (aka onlybme) found her cousin's skills came in handy: "My cousin Liz casually announced that she used to make wedding cakes professionally. I spent the rest of the day in shock after she offered to make our wedding cake for us. For the styles we like, she is saving us £435!'

2. Flowers - Arranging flowers isn't as easy as it looks, unless you have a professional in your midst! However, if you've got a friend who's good with their hands, send them on a day-long course in floristry in time for the day. You can buy flowers direct from your florist and arrange them the day before or on the morning of the wedding. "We're saving a bunch on our wedding flowers thanks to my good friend Sharon and I growing and arranging all the flowers,' says Rebecca from our forum. Meanwhile, fellow forum member Clare had a great plan: "Me, my mum, auntie and bridesmaids made all the bouquets and buttonholes with artificial roses - we had a great girly night doing them all together!'

3. Seamstress - Someone with dress-making skills is never going to be ignored when there's a wedding around the corner! They can be useful for doing all kinds of adjustments, personalising bridesmaids' dresses, making cravats, ties, accessories and decorations.

4. Wedding video - Couples often say their one planning regret was not arranging for their big day to be filmed. Very little compares to a professional videographer, since they can often provide two camera operators, better sound and picture quality and will edit the film professionally. However, if you want a record of the day, asking a camera-savvy friend to do the job should give you a few hours of footage to jog those precious memories. "We have got the whole family involved in saving money on our day,' says forum member Aimee. "My cousin's doing our video and, in total, we've saved about £2,000.'

5. Cars - If you're getting married and holding the reception in one place, it's likely you'll only need a car to take you there. There's less need to hire transport for the occasion, but you could ask around friends and family to find out who has a suitable car or maybe a more fun vehicle (farmer friends = tractors!). Or, take Rebecca's lead: "We won't be needing transport - we've decided to walk the 15-minute stroll between the ceremony and reception venues, since Edinburgh is so pretty.'

6. Hair and make-up - Everyone has a glam friend who always looks flawless; enlist yours to apply your make-up on the wedding morning. Lucky Sarah Binns2B from our forum tells us: "My sister is currently doing a beauty therapy course and so she will be doing my make-up and nails on the day and my mum's friend is doing my hair.' An easy moneysaver, and you could treat yourself to a whole new cosmetic bag of goodies to use again and again with all the cash you'll save!

7. Stationery - This is one of the most popular DIY elements for weddings. Couples love the chance to get creative and make something really personal, and kits are easily available on the internet and in craft shops. However, if you'd like something more professional or don't have time to make 50 each of invitations, RSVPs, and thank you cards, then it's time to call in another favour!

   "My h2b's dad works at a printers so all our invitations are bespoke, free and match our theme perfectly,' says Cara aka Twinklebandit.

   You can also save pounds by crafting your own favours - Vicky is baking 60 cookies for only £20, saving herself about £150 and Helsbels's clever h2b is making soap for favours - another huge saving!

8. Entertainment and music - Mention weddings and music and suddenly you find a lot of 'bedroom DJs' emerge! If you're on a tight budget, they could be a good choice for your evening entertainment, plus they can play all the music you want - complete control! Check they know how to do it first though: "My brother is a budding DJ and has bought all the equipment needed to do an amazing disco at our wedding reception. He has saved us in the region of £400!' says Sarah-Lou. If you know someone with an amazing singing voice, get them involved with the ceremony or reception. Jennifer, aka Midgetjens, has it all worked out: "My sister will be surprising family and friends by singing at our reception - she's doing Faith Hill's There you'll be.'

9. Catering - English tea party-themed menus are really popular right now, so why not ask all your mums, grans, aunts, cousins and friends to make a batch of their favourite cakes, scones or biscuits to serve instead of canapès? Real-life bride Sarah has found an even better option: "H2b's auntie is doing all of our catering - we're paying for the food but her services are free!'

10. Honeymoon - Do you know someone who lives abroad, or who has a holiday home in a foreign country, or even on the UK coast? If so, it's time to write a letter again! Forum member Rebecca is saving lots of cash in this way: "We have friends with a cottage in the Algarve and they have offered to buy our flights as a wedding present - so that's a free honeymoon!' Also check the noticeboards at your workplace. People may have free weeks at their time-shares, which could turn out cheaper than a hotel.

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