♥ Times are tough and couples are looking for ways to trim their wedding budgets, without sacrificing personal style or paring down their guest lists. 

Here are five great money-saving trends!

~ Use non-floral elements. A big trend for saving money on flowers (and perfect for cold-weather weddings) is using non-floral elements like feathers, fruit, pods, pepper berries, pomegranates, lace, and stones in bouquets, centerpieces, and at the altar. Ivy is another great option, as it symbolizes the 3 tenets of marriage: friendship, fidelity, and matrimony. Eucalyptus is also an excellent choice in arrangements and bouquets. It is hardy, aromatic, and symbolizes good luck.

~ DIY! Do-it-yourself wedding projects are really on the rise in these tough times. Brides are arranging their own flowers, making their own bouquets, crafting their own placecards, using handmade ring pillows, and cooking edible favors. A cool trend we've seen is brides taking classes to learn to letterpress their own invitations, saving hundreds of dollars.

~ Serve a custom cocktail. Have beer and wine, but also have a personal drink. Maybe it's a special drink to you as a couple. Did you have mojitos on your first date? Does your family have a tradition of drinking a special cocktail that signifies your heritage and culture? One couple gave away a party favor the included the recipe for their personalized drink, as well as the special glass to drink it in. If you serve beer, wine, and one custom cocktail, instead of open bar, you can save as much as 50 percent on your bar cost.

~ Ask friends and family to pitch in. It is becoming popular to enlist the help of friends and family with baking, cooking, and sewing. Ask a few people who can bake to make cupcakes or cakes - you'll save money and have a variety of treats. Or, enlist a friend who can sew to make your ring pillow or personalize table linens, for instance. I've also seen recent wedding where the groom and his buddies pitched in to build the wedding arch or make placecard holders. This will help make your wedding really personal, as well.

~ Choose the right day. If want to save money, Friday and Sunday mornings are the best days to get married to save money. Saturdays are more popular, will book up the fastest, and will cost you the most. Also, consider a Sunday brunch. People eat and drink much less during the day than at night and this can save you money on the bar tab and catering. ♥