More Bang for Your Buck: Holy Matrimony

(WSVN) Wedding bells are ringing, but the cost is stinging. When you're ready to walk down the aisle, don't let the fairytale vision fade into financial frustration.

Susie and Rudy -- $ 50,000.

Brett and Diana - $70,000.

Ivonne and Henry - $85,000.

Weddings can cost a fortune, but they don't have to.

Casandra Kravcenko, who is planning her wedding, says "I think that weddings are very expensive to put on, but I do believe that you can budget in certain areas and always come in at your budget no matter what you plan."

Casandra and Dan are getting ready for their big day, but they'll have to do it within a strict budget.

Karen Cohen, from Always Flowers and Events, says "It was difficult with the amount of people - there are a lot of people that we wanted to invite and we had to cut it out somewhere."

Wedding expert, Karen Cohen says tying the knot doesn't have to tie up your wallet.

She says, "Go in with a budget and have your budget in categories of where you want to spend money."

Share that information with vendors, this way they know how much money they have to work with.

Casandra and Dan are on the right track to cutting costs.

Experts say that dates alone could save the happy couple 10 percent. Saturday night weddings in the spring and summer are the most popular and therefore the most expensive.

Another great way to save: explore a package deal.

Dan Alpert, who is planning his wedding, says "The place that we chose was a country club that was really willing to work with us and provide kind of an all encompassing package instead of having to go to a bunch of different areas."

Although all venues are different, Cassandra's and Dan's deal includes cake, food, centerpieces and linens.

When it comes to the bouquet, look at buying flowers that are in season.

Roses, for example, are a flower that's always in season and people have the misconception that roses are one of the most expensive flowers.

You can also make your own invitations, or order them on-line.

"You cut out the middle man and therefore not paying for personal attention but get the exact same product."

And think about hiring a disc jockey rather than a band. They're usually $1,000 less.

Hopefully, these simple tips will keep you from saying "I do" to any unnecessary expenses.