After making a rough draft of your wedding plans, you may be dismayed at the costs. If your partner wants a swing band and your heart is set on ice sculptures, compromise is a must. You can save money at every junction in your planning. Choose what works for you.

What are some overall ways to cut wedding costs?

• Hire a wedding consultant. They have relationships with many vendors and can help you cut costs. A consultant will help you book your vendors far in advance so you can get the best deals.

• Scrutinize every contract. If you book early, make sure price increases have limits.

• Utilize your connections. Hotel employees, college personnel, students and seniors often get discounts.

• Keep it simple. Simple invitations, a small bridal party, and a limited guest list will keep your costs low. Keep the reception short.

• Shop during off-times. Shop for gowns in late April to May or late September to October, when merchandise is cleared out for the new styles.

• Borrow, borrow and borrow some more. Borrow everything that you can, from your dress to the cake top.

• Book a cheaper date and time. Book a Friday or Sunday in the late fall or early winter, provided bad weather wouldn't interfere with guests' travel plans. Try a daytime wedding. Reception halls and vendors are booked later in the day, so they can book your earlier reception at a lower cost.

How can I cut caterer and florist costs, and pay less for transportation and photos?

• Ask your florist for deals. Tell him you want seasonal flowers. Also ask for details on splitting ceremony flowers costs with other brides getting married the same day.

• Avoid costly appetizers and desserts. Rather than hors d'oeuvres, offer a selection of cheese, vegetables and seasonal fruit. Skip the desserts; your wedding cake is plenty.

• Give an accurate head count. You don't want to say 100 and only have 75 show up. Be dead-on precise when you tell the caterer how many people are coming, so you're not charged unnecessarily.

• Avoid the limo and driver. Hire a luxury car and have a friend drive the bridal party.

• Forego a professional photographer. Ask a friend or relative who does amateur photography if he'd like to document the wedding or hire a photography student.

How can I have music at my wedding without spending money?

• Provide your own music. Check out Web sites for suggestions on picking great wedding music if you're unsure of what to play. Then:

  • Borrow music collections from friends and family. They may have the perfect classics for your ceremony and hip selections for your reception.

  • Make CDs or tapes. With your borrowed stock, compile mixes to play at the wedding. Make copies and hand them out as wedding favors!

  • Use a CD player and large speakers. This can work well for a smaller reception. Make up a play list and ask a friend to change over CDs or tapes after they finish.

• Ask a friend or family member to help out. Offer to help him in some other way to repay him for his kindness.

  • Ask someone to be your DJ. Write a play list for the entire evening. Ask a couple of people to trade off DJ duty so everyone gets to dance.

  • Ask friends to play at the ceremony. Do you have friends that play instruments or are in bands? Ask them if they would consider playing for you.

• Look up local bands. A local amateur band probably wouldn't mind playing for free to get some exposure in your area. Audition the band to be sure the music's right for your wedding.

If none of these options sounds appealing to you, compromise in another area of your budget. Pick a less expensive location or caterer. Do without an expensive wedding dress. Cut your budget to afford your kind of music.

Are any traditions not essential to a wedding?

In current western culture, social etiquette is extremely lax. You can omit just about anything you don't want or don't have the money to do. Just remember to check with your minister about your faith's requirements if you're planning a religious ceremony. Forego any of these to save some cash:

• Wedding reception: This is a good option if you want to elope or have a small private ceremony. Celebrate with your family and friends days, weeks or months after the ceremony.

• Rehearsal dinner: Get together with your wedding party before the big event without straining your budget. Host a potluck barbeque or meet in a restaurant and offer to buy the first round of drinks and appetizers.

• Bridal luncheon: A bride typically thanks her bridal party with a special luncheon, but you can easily replace this event with girls' sleepover or pizza party.

• Engagement party: Spreading the good news with announcements and phone calls is more than adequate.

• Honeymoon: Many couples postpone their honeymoons in favor of a longer trip after wedding expenses are paid. For now celebrate your union with a romantic weekend within driving distance.

You may not have every element of your ultimate wedding, but with careful planning, compromise and budgeting, your wedding guests can have your cake and eat it too. Just be sure to consider the feelings and opinions of your family before making the final cut on any wedding events.