Wedding cost cutting can be difficult in some areas and fairly easy in others. For example, it’s pretty tough to cut costs on invitations beyond simply settling for a budget-priced set of invitations from a wedding wholesaler. An area in which it is easy to cut wedding costs is music. There’s no reason for wedding music to cost more than a couple of hundred dollars assuming you’re not too picky.

Here are some tips on how to save money on wedding music:

Limit your ambitions

Many people love the idea of having a big, eight-piece band serenading guests at their wedding reception. While this may sound like part of a picturesque wedding, consider what your guests would actually prefer. Wedding receptions are a great opportunity for long-time friends and family to catch up with each other. A big, blaring band gets in the way of this. By aiming for something a little more quiet that allows for conversation, you’re already cutting your wedding music expenses.

Go Recorded!

Recorded music is vastly more affordable than a live band. Spend weeks creating a wedding playlist and opt to rent equipment or hire a local DJ instead. You can even ask friends to chip in ideas for fun songs to play at your wedding reception.

Employ an Up-and-Comer

Established wedding bands and DJs typically command top-of-the-market prices for their services. And while they have worked hard to justify this salary, keep in mind that those very people were once working for much cheaper as they built their way up the local wedding entertainment ladder. One way to save money on wedding music is to find someone who is working their way up the ladder and willing to work for cheap. There’s more risk with this method, sure, but college students and aspiring DJs will often provide great service for a fraction of the cost of an established pro.

No Overtime

Most wedding entertainers charge by the hour. Figure out what you’re comfortable spending and hire the entertainment for just that length of time. Most people aren’t itching to go into a 5th or 6th hour at a wedding reception. End the night in a timely manner. Anyone still wanting to party is certainly free to organize plans of their own.

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Here are some wedding trends to keep an eye out for in 2011:

Outdoor Weddings

With the rising costs of wedding clashing with economic troubles many people are facing, outdoor weddings are gaining substantially in popularity. Considerable cost savings can be had when averting the need for an indoor wedding venue. Even with cost savings not considered, the fun and relaxing nature of outdoor weddings is becoming more popular among couples than the traditional, stuffier wedding.

Vintage Accents

Anything and everything vintage is hot right now. From vintage wedding dresses to classic, vintage cars with which to drive away from the ceremony, if it’s vintage, it’s in for 2011. Expect to see a lot of brides dawning their Grandmother’s dress and incorporating pictures and mementos from their parents’ or grandparents’ wedding into their own.

Rustic

A trend to look for in 2011 that shares a vein with the “vintage” theme is anything rustic. Look for wedding photos to incorporate rustic antiques, automobiles, and furniture. Wedding photography will be stylized in a vintage theme aimed at making wedding pictures appear timeless. A rustic ambiance will be employed at many a wedding reception in 2011. Rustic-chic wedding cakes served on antique stands with rustic icing accents will also be a hot item for this year.

DIY

Part of the trend to reduce wedding costs includes several “do it yourself” tactics. Everything from party favors to the bride’s makeup to the table centerpiece even to the alcohol served at the reception can be DIY wedding items. Many such things can be delegated to artistic friends and family members who will love being a part of the process for planning your wedding.

Simplicity

The simpler the better in 2011. Weddings in general will be simple and pretty this year. Not only are simple weddings more affordable, but they are also in concert with a fashion trend that is moving away from discombobulated and towards clean and neat. You don’t have to try to do too much for a wedding in 2011. Just do a few things, do them really well, and enjoy your special day.

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