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Most couples who are planning a wedding envision a perfect day filled with the company of loved ones, complete with a beautiful ceremony and lavish reception. Unfortunately, the average cost of a wedding is $26,327, according to a 2007 survey by the Fairchild Bridal Group. The good news is there are many ways you can save and cut corners without anyone having to know. Here's how.

1. Bridal Gown

How much does a wedding gown cost these days? Well, that depends. If you're like most brides, you're probably going to spend at least $1000 on the dress. If you're going for a designer gown, you'll need to at least double or even triple your budget for a dress that falls into the couture category. In order to cut corners on the cost of a wedding dress, there are a few things you can do. Try purchasing a gown through one of the online retailers rather than a bridal shop. You can find numerous brand name picks at up to 40% off the normal retail price. Or consider having your gown custom-made. By going to a skilled seamstress, you can order the fabric from her at a discounted price and get the gown you envision. Depending on the style and embellishment of the dress you choose, you could end up spending about half the price you would if you bought the designer version.

2. Tuxedo

A tuxedo rental can run you about a hundred bucks, give or take a few dollars. One way to shave off some of the cost is by going with the group discount, especially if you're coordinating with all the groomsmen. Many shops offer a freebie with a minimum number of rentals, but they don't always advertise the reduction, so it pays to ask if it's available. You can also go the coupon route. A number of the larger chain tuxedo rental shops offer coupon deals either through their online site or in newspapers, so check around to see what bargains you can find.

3. Wedding Ceremony

You have a lot of choices when it comes to sites for a wedding ceremony. Depending on your personal preference, you may choose a church, a garden, a historical building, or a country club. If you plan on getting married at a church, keep in mind that members often pay less in fees than non-members. Don't forget to check with your accountant to see if you can get a tax deduction on your contribution to the church for the ceremony. If you're choosing an alternate site for a wedding, consider a civic site such as a botanical garden or historical park rather than a privately owned venue. Typically, the rental fees are more affordable and the facilities are equally beautiful.

4. Reception

Whatever venue you choose, when you decide to get married will affect how far in advance you have to book and how expensive your wedding will be. Saturdays are naturally the most popular wedding days. Surprisingly, busy months do vary somewhat from state to state. The U.S. Department of Health cites that in Illinois, the months of June, September, and October are the busiest wedding months. If you can book your wedding during an off-peak day or time of the year, you can sometimes realize a sizeable savings in your wedding day budget.

5. Transportation

The wedding day typically calls for hiring out a stylish ride for the bride, groom, and wedding party. Usually, the transportation comes in the form of a limo to shuttle everyone from the ceremony to the reception site. You can save by eschewing the standard limousine companies. Go directly from your ceremony to your reception and hire a pick-up/drop-off limo car service without the three-hour minimum time requirement. Renting an alternative like a luxury car and having a friend or relative chauffer you can be a fun option that can be less expensive than a limousine rental.

6. Food

There's no doubt that the menu you serve your guests will take up a hefty chunk of your budget — as much as nearly 40%. According to the book Bridal Bargains by Denise and Alan Fields, the average cost for the reception and catering is $9,286. To save money, there are a few options. You could have your reception at a venue that allows you to bring in an outside caterer. Typically, an outside caterer delivers quality food at a more affordable price than say, a hotel. You could also forgo the standard multi-course meal and go with an ethnic food instead. Serving Chinese, Mexican, or Italian cuisine is much more affordable than traditional wedding cuisine according to the Bridal Bargains authors.

7. Beverages

During weddings, alcohol flows and so do the expenses that come with serving it. In order to cut costs here, go through a major wholesaler like Sam's Club or Costco and buy your own bottles in bulk. You'll likely be able to save at least 50% in costs. If the reception site doesn't allow you to provide your own, consider an alternative like serving a specialty alcoholic drink like a mimosa or apple martini as opposed to having an open bar.

8. Flowers

Flowers add to the romance and ambiance of any wedding, whether it's during the ceremony or the reception. Save some money here by avoiding flowers that aren't readily available locally and sticking with what's in season. You can also rent filler plants to add greenery and create a more lush appeal to your wedding day décor. In general, flowers like hydrangeas, carnations, and gerbera daisies make great decorative pieces because they're affordable and brilliant in color, so they stand out.

Remember, cutting your budget doesn't mean you have to lower your standards. Employ our money-saving suggestions so that you'll be able to have the wedding you've always dreamed of, without the exorbitant cost.

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