7. Remember, there is no such thing as too much food and booze
The worst thing you can do at a wedding is leave people underfed or without a fully stocked bar. If you're putting your guests first, ideally this is where the majority of your budget should go. People won't remember the favors or even the flowers, but they will remember being hungry at 9 p.m. if the last meal they had was at noon! If money is tight, aim for a ceremony after 3 p.m. so you only have to provide dinner, and look into options that'll keep prices lower: BBQs, food carts, buffets . . . a three-course meal and silver service isn't the only option. Limit the drinks options: wine, beer and soft drinks is plenty if you're on a tight budget. Cocktails and Champagne are a privilege, not a right.
8. Don't put ridiculous stuff on the gift list
We all want a KitchenAid. But do you actually know people who're going to shell out $300 on a gift? If you have a gift list, be kind and keep the majority of items below $100. You can always put multiples in there so those able to spend a bit more can buy you a set of something. If you're keen on monetary gifts, try a service like Honeyfund, which allows guests to put money into funds for specific items, like your honeymoon. It's a little bit more discreet than asking for cash in an envelope!
