Whether you're planning a small intimate celebration or a lavish affair, weddings are expensive. That's just the way it is.  We've teamed up with the good folks at the Credit Union to bring you ten top tips to help save you money on your big day. Check them out below! 1. Choose your guests wisely  Deciding on a final guest list is one of the biggest headaches in the wedding planning process. Spend plenty of time considering the people you and your other half want to include in the celebration. Only invite the people you both really want to have there on your big day. Be ruthless! 2. Cut down your bridal party Instead of having four bridesmaids and four groomsmen, halve that number to save a small fortune on presents, dresses, accommodation, make-up and plenty more. 3. Avoid marquees Despite what people might tell you, hiring that big white tent isn't cheaper than renting a venue. A marquee wedding involves lots of hidden costs like insurance, electricity, flooring, and even cutlery! 4. Do your own make-up If you're confident about your skills in the beauty department, go for it. You can experiment as often as you like to get that perfect look for your big day. YouTube is a treasure trove of brilliant make-up tutorials, so make sure to take advantage of the free advice! 5. DIY invitations Making your own invitations is one of the easiest ways to save on your nuptials. Head on over to Etsy, choose a template, get it personalised by the designer and delivered straight to your door. Handmade invitations can cost anything from €10 a pop, so printing them yourself will save you hundreds. Image via Etsy.com  6. Haggle with the venue Whether it's wine corkage, table decorations, or the DJ, never accept the first price you're offered. There's no harm in asking for a better deal, the worst that can happen is that they say no. 7. Make your own cake Love baking? Put those skills to use to create your very own wedding cake. The internet is jam-packed with simple DIY guides, so get friends or family involved and hit the kitchen! 8. Ask a friend to sing at the ceremony Got any musicians friends? Now's the time to start calling in favours. They'll either offer you a mate rate or do the decent thing and do it for free! 9. Fewer flowers, more candles Splash your cash on your bouquets - these flowers will be in your photos forever. Everything else can be replaced by candles, which are substantially cheaper and really pretty. 10. Stick to budget wedding shoes From New Look and Dorothy Perkins to Debenhams and Next, more and more high street brands are bringing out beautiful bridal shoe collections. Shop around to save on cash for you and your bridesmaids. If you're planning your wedding this year, why not talk to your local Credit Union? A short term loan from your local credit union could help take the worry out of financing that special day out. Or if you need some help with budgeting, you can also download the free Credit Union budgeting app MyBudgetBuddy on GooglePlay and the App Store.