The most effective way to cut the cost of your wedding is to invite less people. Most of the things you will be paying for are on a per person basis such as invitations, food, favours, champagne and wedding cake. A smaller number of people also means a smaller venue and less waiting on staff, again a cost saving.
Only invite relatives and close friends to the wedding and wedding reception with more guests attending the evening do.
Having a buffet-style meal is usually a less expensive option and guests can choose what they like from a greater range of foods than they could get with a served 4 course meal.
The wedding cake can be cut up and served as the dessert, thereby making another saving. This works especially well if the cake is a chocolate cake or a cake with fresh cream and fruit. These can look as beautiful and elegant as a traditional wedding cake. If you have a friend or relative who likes to bake cakes why not ask him/her to make your wedding cake for you and this will be their wedding gift to you.
Similarly with wedding invitations, these can be quite expensive, so either make them yourself or ask for help from your bridesmaids. There are many shops on line and on the high street where you can buy cards and stencils for creating your own invitations and place cards for the seating.
Wedding favours again can really put up the cost of your wedding. You don't have to provide wedding favours but if you would like to keep it simple and again do it yourself or get a family member to do it for you.
Generally speaking people like to help out and may feel honoured to be asked to help with your wedding