Make sure you plan your ceremony early. You must make sure your ceremony site and reception site are available at the same time. If your ceremony and reception sites are in the same place, this is a non-issue. Having both at the same site saves you and your guests the time and logistics of having to travel between multiple sites. If you do choose to have your reception at a different site, be kind to yourself and your guests by making sure the sites are close. You should also make sure there is convenient lodging available for out-of-town guests.
There are all kinds of places you can have a wedding. All can range from costly to inexpensive depending upon what you choose. I can't really clue you in to a least expensive option because there are so many variables but I will list some popular options for you.
Church or Other Place of Worship
They're excellent if you happen to belong to one and desire a religious ceremony. The officiant is in-house, pre-marital counseling may be offered or mandatory. Decorations for the sanctuary may be available for free or a small fee. Musicians can be hired.
Gardens
Beautiful...but you'd better hope for good weather. Mother Nature provides all the decoration you need but you may need rentals such as chairs. You'll need an alternate plan if the weather doesn't cooperate.
Historical Places
These places can be handy because a nice garden often accompanies a historical building or house.
The Beach
A fun and informal place for a wedding! You must plan around weather conditions and such, of course. A beach wedding can be absolutely free provided you don't need any chairs or rentals.
Backyard
An economical choice in many cases. The rentals can add up. A home wedding must be carefully planned if it is to be inexpensive.
Hotels
A one stop solution for ceremony, reception and lodging. Shop around for the best deals. Different hotels may offer vastly different packages. This is an excellent option if you have only a month or two with which to plan your wedding. It isn't always the cheapest but can be quite convenient.
Banquet Halls
If the focus of your "big day" is to have a big party with dinner and dancing you might want to plan the entire wedding at a banquet hall.
Wedding Chapel
If you're planning a small to medium sized wedding and have limited time, a chapel can be a convenient, economical one-stop wedding solution.
Bed and Breakfast
A wonderful place for an intimate wedding with just family and close friends. You can combine both wedding and honeymoon.
Resort Destination/Cruise
I haven't researched this one much but I'd think it would be a great option if you wanted to combine wedding and honeymoon.
Flowers are expensive and do not last unless you dry them or have them preserved after the festivities are over. I recommend silk flowers but if its important to you to have the real thing, here are some considerations:
Choose flowers that are in season
Simple hand-tied bouquets are often a less expensive option
Choose several of one type of flower (a bunch of roses, daisies, irises, daffodils)
Choose one or a few big showy flowers (calla lillies, a perfect rose)
Carry a bouquet of greenery and/or herbs
Purchase flowers in bulk. Arrange them yourself or with the help of attendants or family
Have arrangements and bouquets made at a grocery or discount store that has a florist
Reuse your flowers by transporting church arrangements to the reception site after the ceremony
Place your bouquet strategically at the reception site for additional decoration
Rent or buy attractive potted plants for ceremony decoration
