Major things:
- Fewer guests
- Move event before 2pm
- Shorten reception
- Pick a reception venue that doesn't need as much decoration (ie, not a ballroom)
- Brunch instead of dinner
- Use rehearsal dinner menus instead of reception dinner menus
- Don't serve alcohol
- Cut down (or cut out) floral: altarpieces, centerpieces, smaller bouquets or rose wands for attendants
- Move ceremony floral to reception (if move fee is less than separate floral for reception)
- Use outside vendors for photography and videography
Smaller things:
- Use items from the dinner/lunch/brunch buffet as your pre-reception food instead of ordering extra
- Serve half glasses of Champagne for toast or eliminate Champagne toast all together and toast with drinks in hand
- Chair covers instead of chiavari chairs
- Provide less transportation for guests
- Ride your charter bus to the ceremony site before it picks up your guests instead of having a limo/Rolls/etc.
- Eliminate chargers under the plates, gobos on the walls, and other things no one will remember
Off the top of my head....
