Money saving tips for 2009 weddings

As we get ready for the New Year, many brides and grooms are getting ready for the big day.

Wedding experts say Christmas time, along with Valentine's Day, are some of the most popular times of the year for getting engaged. However, those costs can add up.

Bride-to-Be Katrina Henrickson is cutting the cost of her wedding by cutting out and making her own wedding favors.

"Maybe a couple of hundred of dollars in the end that I'm saving," said Henrickson.

Henrickson and her bridesmaids made the small brown boxes at Archiver's The Photo Memory Store in Appleton.

Her wedding is scheduled for late May, though she got engaged last Christmas--a popular holiday for engagements.

"We decided to have a long engagement to have plenty of time because we knew we wanted to do a lot of stuff ourselves," said Henrickson.

Staff at Archiver's said some couples also make their own wedding invitations from scratch, saving about half compared to preordered invitations.

"It's a great way to personalize your wedding," said Terry Williams with Archiver's The Photo Memory Store.

There are also ways to save on the big ticket items like wedding gowns.

"You need to allow yourself six months of time just to order the bridal gown typically without paying rush fees," said

Mary Lynn Socha from Belles of Elegance Owner/Manager.

Belles of Elegance in De Pere also suggests brides ask about any extra shipping fees on dresses, which are sometimes delivered to stores from the manufacturer.

While you're shopping around for the dress, shop around for other deals carefully. Sue Diehl, owner of Visuelle

Productions in New London, produces bridal shows in the United States and other countries.

"I would definitely because of the economy, check with the Better Business Bureau that they are accredited," said Diehl.

Back at Archiver's, Henrickson said planning ahead is a good way for brides to save money.

"We're trying to keep our cost down but trying to keep it nice. I think its working!" said Henrickson.

Visuelle Productions says the average wedding in Northeast Wisconsin can cost $15,000. However, Diehl said that cost can be reduced by some good negotiating from the bride and groom.