8 fantastic money-saving wedding tips that every bride-to-be should know

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There's no denying that your wedding is one of the happiest occasions of your life. It's a chance to stand up in front of everyone who is important to you and celebrate your love. But the one thing most people don't realise is just how crazy expensive they can be. From rings to bouquets and venues to musicians the costs can add up pretty quickly. If you're planning a wedding (or know someone who is) then don't panic because there are lots of quick and easy ways you can save money on your big day without losing any of the details that you love. Here are 8 amazing money-saving tips that will help you look after your pennies. Don't get married on a Saturday It might sound simple but changing the day you get married on can knock hundreds (sometimes thousands) of your hotel bill. Most hotels charge more for weekend events so by simply changing your wedding from a Saturday to a Friday you will be able to make huge savings. Have your wedding ceremony and reception in the one place Having your whole wedding within the one venue is a great way to save some moolah. Lot's of hotels offer wedding and reception packages that usually work out cheaper than hiring two venues.

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Shop around for your bridesmaid dresses You don't have to spend a tonne of money to get gorgeous bridesmaid dresses. Lots of high street stores like ASOS and New Look now stock long formal dresses that are perfect for your bridal party. Remember you don't have to stick to the traditional maxi dresses either, more and more brides are opting for modern alternatives like shorter shift dresses and jumpsuits. Use lots of foliage When you're creating your dream bouquet make sure you include lots of lovely green foliage. It's a great way to save money on flowers plus it looks gorgeous too. If you're brave enough you could also attempt to make your own bouquet (yes it is achievable) or ditch the flowers completely and go for a more original arrangement.

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Be sensible with your cars You'll need a nice car for yourself and your bridesmaids but be realistic about what you can afford. An easy way to save money is to rent one fancy car and simply attach matching ribbons to the cars taking the rest of your bridal party. If you know someone with a beautiful vintage car simply ask them can you borrow it for the day. It could save you hundreds. Ditch the photo booth Yes, they are lots of fun but if you're trying to stay within your budget then ditching your photo booth could be a good way to save some cash. Buy a Fuji Instax or a digital polaroid camera instead and create your own props to use. Your guests will absolutely love it. Cut the cake Wedding cakes can be crazy expensive. One easy way to save money is to ask your baker to create a fake layer out of cardboard. No one will ever know the difference and you won't need all that cake anyways. Another cost-cutting idea would be creating a cupcake or doughnut cake which are usually much cheaper.

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Be ruthless with your guest list Or at least be sensible. Does your mum's cousin really need to be there? What about your dad's friend from college?  Keeping your guest list small is the easiest way to save money. Lots of people follow the one year rule. If you haven't spoken to someone in one year then you can probably eliminate them from the list. Remember you can always invite people to the after party without having to invite them to the whole day.   Brought to you by Bank of Ireland. Whatever your savings goal, make sure you reach yours. Open a Bank of Ireland GoalSaver Account today and you could win a €25,000 savings boost. Bank of Ireland is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Terms and conditions apply.