Colin Cowie, Event Planner, Colin Cowie Lifestyle

• Chill out on the champagne: "Serve signature cocktails instead of champagne," advises Cowie. "Beverages are definitely an area where you can cut costs."
• Buy, rather than rent: "There are great deals in stores right now," Cowie says. "Buy things like placemats and napkins and glasses for $3 that you can use as favors. The Home Shopping Network has great finds and bargains," he says.
• Ban the band: "DJ's are tomorrow's rock stars," says Cowie. "The DJ's today are amazing. Hire a DJ instead of a band; it's cheaper."
• The dish on desserts: "For a wedding, make the wedding cake the dessert," says Cowie. "Add some fresh berries and a scoop of ice-cream and you've got a fabulous dessert." For any type of party, he suggests, go with a dessert sampler, which requires less quantity for the mini-portions that guests will appreciate and enjoy.

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