We saved money by doing lunch instead of dinner. We also booked like 6 months out when the venue was booking 2+ years out for Saturday night! We had a 10:30 wedding at the Country Club and then a 12:00 reception in the same room. We wanted to do it outside, but it was 85 degrees by 10AM, in MAY, so we did it inside and it was fine. Then we all went into the other room for drinks and pictures while they took the chairs down and set up tables. We still had the amazing view and awesome food of the country club that had like a $10,000 Saturday night minimum for like half that. I opted for beer & wine only (gosh, I mean it was *lunch*
) rather than an open bar. We just had to be out by 4pm. People who came from 1-2 hours away appreciated it because they did not have to get a hotel. People with kids were happy because their kids were not up all night. We were in and out in 6 hours! Then my parents grilled some hot dogs and burgers in their backyard for anyone who wanted to hang out for a while.
We did a lot of DIY, used theknot.com for ideas, splurged on the photographer, saved on the dress (new but no train, real designer not even David's Bridal, but it was $400 because of the simple style I chose) we made the veil for like $4... made the favors, made the centerpieces, paid for the bouquets but chose very simple designs....
If you need more advice just ask - I have pics of a lot of what we did
Good luck!!!