Great weather, dreamy locations – the great reasons for summer weddings. Lots of you are going through the process of planning your wedding and as we all know, it can be one of the most frustrating tasks to tackle. But how do we go about throwing off a killer day without running up your credit? Here are five simple suggestions that can help you cut down on wedding costs.

1. The Budget. We know – this is pretty obvious. But it doesn’t have to be such a chore any longer! Brides.com’s wedding budget tool makes budgeting a breeze. It helps you efficiently track all of your wedding expenses so you stay organized and realistic about your spending.
2. The Dress. Often times one of the most costly aspects about weddings is – that’s right – the dress itself. Being proactive about sales is your best bet to save. So do your research online and see where has an upcoming sale, and don’t forget to sign up for store newsletters to get inside deals!
3. Music and Photography. Ask your friends and contacts if they know persons practicing deejaying and photography. Chances are you could find someone new to these arts who is quite good for a reasonable cost. You’ll be giving a chance to someone young and eager, and saving big while you’re at it!
4. Food and Flowers. The rule is simple: serving foods that are in season will cut down on your costs tremendously. The same goes for flowers; make use of of the plethora of this season’s blooms! After all, you don’t really need those exotic lilies to be flown in all the way from Malaysia… do you?
5. Stay Simple. The most fundamental tip is that the less extravagant elements to your day, the more likely you will be to stay within budget. Ask yourself if you really need to both arrive in a helicopter; will it truly affect the outcome of your day? 9 out of 10 times you’ll find the answer is no.

Each wedding – not to mention bride – is different, but careful planning with the help of family and friends can make the process much easier. Remember that knowing exactly what you want and sticking to it is the best way to save, and you’ll be extremely happy for more reasons than one when it’s all over.