Invitations and Programs: There are several online sites that you can order invitations from for cheap. Otherwise, you can buy inexpensive ones that you print yourself from Michaels or Target. Or if you feel very ambitious, you can make them completely from scratch, using your printer and nice cardstock from a craft store.

Wedding dress: Buy it on sale in the fall/ off-season or get it secondhand. There are several websites for brides selling their dresses (make sure you try on the same style in a store though and know your size/ measurments). Or avoid the traditional "wedding dress" completely and find a nice white dress at a department store (Nordstrom's, J Crew, Target). If you decide to get it at bridal salon, call around to compare prices of the dresses you like. I got my dress for $450 cheaper by doing that.

Bridesmaid's Dresses: Ebay and Craigslist! Instead of matching dresses, you could just specify a color and designer and let them find one they like at a price they can afford. (i.e. "Apple Red" at David's Bridal)

Groomsmen's attire: Tux rentals are expensive, but usually not on your tab. You could have them wear their nicest black suit, or some matching slacks with a white button-down shirt. But if you do have the groomsmen rent tuxes, usually then the groom's rental is free.

Ceremony site: If you are a member of a local congregation, the church may be "free" with a donation and can usually accommodate the reception as well. Otherwise, you could have it somewhere less traditional and it may be cheaper. Ideas: Historic mansions/ old buildings, gardens, parks, museums, hotels, farms, a friend's backyard, bed and breakfasts… Famous, beautiful churches and country clubs would probably be the most expensive.

Ceremony "props"- unity candles, ringbearer pillow, flowergirl basket, guest book, pew/aisle decor, etc: Do it yourself, find similar things not targeted for weddings (normal candles instead of "wedding unity candles"), or get them at a discount or craft store (WalMart, JoAnn Fabrics).

Flowers- Rather than having them professionally done, buy the flowers wholesale and arrange them yourself or have a crafty friend do it. Limiting the number of flowers in the reception decor will reduce the cost a lot (like having a single bloom in a vase instead of a bouquet, using candles and other decorations, etc). Local/seasonal blooms are cheaper, possibly free if you know avid gardeners. I hate to say it since many people disagree, but I think fake flowers are tacky.

Photographer: Try to find a talented amateurs or someone just starting out. You could ask at the photography dept. at a local college for recommendations, search craigslist, etc. If you go with a professional, they usually offer cheaper packages that are just a certain number of hours instead of the whole day.

Reception Venue: It's smart to have the ceremony and reception at the same place, so you only have to pay 1 fee. If you have it somewhere separate, look for nontraditional venues (see above).

Catering: Hors d'oeuvres, finger food, or an afternoon tea is much less expensive than providing a full meal, but then you shouldn't time your reception to be during lunch or dinner. Brunches and buffets are the next cheapest options. If you have very generous and ambitious friends/relatives and under 75 guests, you could possibly cater it yourself (some basic food items can be purchased in bulk at places like Sam's Club). You could also do a pot-luck, or a dessert reception and have your friends and relatives make something. The cheapest route is just cake and punch but it comes off as cheap. I mean, this is your wedding, not your graduation open house.

Wedding Cake: You can get inexpensive cakes at grocery stores or Sam's Club. If you knew a talented cook/baker, they might be willing to do it for cost- it's not impossible to make a tiered cake with simple decorations (toss on a few flower petals or a ribbon).

Alcohol: Just having a champagne toast is the cheapest option, providing an open bar is the most expensive. Something in between, like only wine and beer, and then champagne for the toast, suits most people. Buying it yourself in bulk is cheaper than having your caterer provide it (Trader Joes has some excellent wines for $5-$10 per bottle). Of course, you can always choose not to provide any alcohol if you're opposed to it.

DJ: You could make a playlist yourself or have a friend do it- lots of people are just hooking up their ipods and avoiding the Chicken Dance. Otherwise, find someone who is just starting out or does it for a hobby.

Band: A more famous one, or one that often performs for weddings would be more expensive than, say, a local coffeeshop performer. Look on Myspace Music for local bands in the genre you want. They may be willing to negotiate prices to accommodate a small budget.

Reception Decor: Purchase the materials and do it yourself or enlist friends' help. You can get vases, candles, rocks, mirrors, ribbons, fabric, etc from discount stores and dollar stores, and find ideas for handmade centerpieces and decorations online.

Reception Rentals (linens, dishes, silverware, wine glasses, decorations, etc): Call around for price comparisons. If you have it at a church or more traditional wedding venue, they may include those things in the price. You can always go with disposable plastic/paper ware, but it's slightly tacky.

Favors: Not 100% necessary, in my opinion. But you can easily make them yourself, like baking cookies and decorating them with your initals, giving a sachet of candies with a cute tag, tying candles with ribbons and raffia in your colors and a little monogram charm, etc. Lot of ideas online, esp from "Real Weddings" on the Knot website and Martha Stewart's website.

For more money-saving ideas, look on the Knot, Indie Bride, or wedding forums.
Good luck!

not hiring a wedding planner will save you money.. you can always put certain taskes onto your parents, his parents and friends..

make a notes and give them to them..

watching a lot of tv, weddings on a budget.. some people bought vases at the dollar store… accents like colored glass and stones at the dollar store..

my brother made a money tree with a REAL tree limb and stripped it and painted it silver.. put colored ribbons with clips… then put it in a decorated base with crystal glass in the base… cheap but looked elegant

Second we looked for sites that were not used that often for ceremonies. We got married on the Gardens of a museum. Their prices were a lot lower than that of the typical sites. Being different pays off.

As far as cake and photography, to save money, I suggest you looking for people who are getting started in the business. They may have some experience but they will give you a very low rate (sometimes free!) as long as they can use their work for their portfolio. Best of all, they always go out of their way to succeed, because again its for their portfolio, and they're looking for referrals!

Food can be the hardest part. I was very lucky with both of the daughters weddings. The oldest had her reception at a VFW hall which my stepfather is a memeber got the hall and food for a great price. The youngest daughter her maid of honors BF owns a restaurant and he catered it for the cost of the food.

For your wedding dress look on the clearance racks a bridel shops. One gown we got was marked down to $100 and than we saw that some of the beading was discolored from the dress being in a window so they sold it to us of $50. Was lucky and found someone to replace the discolored beading for $50 total $100 for dress. The other dress was $99.

Both the weddings looked great and everyone was very happy. But I sure am glad that both of the girls are married and I don't have to do that again.

Start planning as far a head of time as you can. Start projects and get them done ASAP.