You’ve envisioned your wedding day for as long as you can remember: amazing floral arches, an ornate white aisle runner, hundreds of guests beaming at you as your dad escorts you to your soulmate at the front. Maybe you imagine a live band at the reception, a horse-drawn carriage from the ceremony to the reception, or grand ballroom filled with spectacular decor.

Now, you’ve got the ring and a date, but those grandiose plans are a little too far out of your budget. It’s more than a little disappointing. What can be done to bridge that gap between your dream wedding and one you can actually afford? We’re here to help.

• Consider an off-season, weekday, or Sunday wedding. Since these dates are not in high demand, many vendors offer discounts for booking an “off” date.

• Know someone with a great piece of land? Talk to them about hosting your ceremony and/or reception there. This alone could save you thousands.

• Get creative with florals. You don’t need to fill every vase with exotic flowers to make a statement. Pair high-end flowers with less expensive filler florals or supplement with artificial flowers.

• Keep your wedding decor simple and tasteful. Classic beauty does not equal overstated. Candles, vases, and mason jars are decor staples that are really inexpensive to buy in bulk.

• Explore all your options. If you have a wedding venue lined up, find out what exactly is included. Linens, napkins, chair covers? You may find that hiring a local event designer/ decorator is cheaper than buying these items new.

• Incorporate a little up-lighting into your reception. It’s a small investment for potentially transforming a room. DJs are usually the ones to talk to for this.

• Glam up seating by incorporating a fancy folded napkin and longer than floor-length table linens. Little touches like these can really up the ambience.

• Mix up the height and size of your centerpieces and incorporate metallic tones for a high-end, dynamic look.

• Instead of an open bar, create a signature cocktail for your big day that coordinates with your theme/ colors.

• Explore alternatives to the traditional wedding cake. Dessert bars, cupcake or brownie towers, or miniature pies are gaining in popularity.

• Be creative. Re-purpose things. Make your own statement. Who knows- maybe you will start the next big wedding trend.

In the end, know your budget and your priorities. Some people can’t imagine not having a five-tier wedding cake, and that’s okay. But be prepared to pinch pennies in other areas to stay within budget.

QC Wed Me is the Quad Cities’ first comprehensive wedding blog and vendor directory. If it’s love and it’s in the QCA, we want to know about it!

Dream it. Plan it. Love it.