CLEVELAND -- After the ceremony is over and your dress is boxed up, one thing that will make your memories last longer are the photographs. This is something you don't want to skimp on because the pictures are passed from generation to generation.

Lauren Petrella of LCD Photography said, "You want to be careful of photographers meeting you in coffee shops." She said make sure they have a home or business so you can find them. Ask to see recent photos taken last season from the photographer shooting your wedding. And ask about hidden fees.

LCD offers unlimited time, and unlimited locations in all its packages. And although a good wedding album will cost around a thousand dollars you want to ask how many pages and images it will hold.

And most importantly make sure your photographer has a "back-up plan" in case a photographer gets sick or a camera breaks.

Engagement Ring

Someone else that will last a lifetime, the engagement ring. Whether the setting is tiffany or cathedral, what matters most is the rock it holds. Joe Soukenik with Rivchun and Sons Jewelers says the setting is secondary and should be matched to woman's' hand. "You're round brilliant cut diamond is the most expensive," said Soukenik. And although the 4-c's still apply, color is becoming less important.

Reception

The reception will be the costliest part of your wedding. There are many decisions to make such as an indoor or outdoor event, a large hall, or small gathering place, and buffet or sit down meal.

If you rent a hall, likely nothing will be included. That means you'll have to rent everything from tables and chairs, to glassware and tablecloths. That tends to add up quickly. When it comes to the menu, many brides assume buffet is better for the budget but it's actually the most expensive option.

"You'll have portion control with a plated dinner as opposed to a buffet where you need to prepare more food," Ashley Brush, Sammy's event coordinator, said.

Brush said it's the type of food that costs more money.

"You want to select an entree with that wow factor," Brush said.

That doesn't mean you have to have lobster. For example, Sammy's chicken in philo, with salad is under $30 a plate and the saffron fettecuine is even less.

And if you're offering an open bar, pay by the pour, not the guest. You could also just offer a specialty drink like wine or a favorite martini. And kegs of beer are an option versus individual bottles. A keg of beer will provide approximately 163 glasses for about $350, compared to 163 bottles of beer at $815.

When it comes to the cake, beware of hidden delivery fees. Syndee Klingenberg owns Cookie and a Cupcake. She said the average wedding cake at other bakeries costs $6 a person and most venues also charge you a cake cutting fee that can range from $1.50 to $3.50 per person. She suggests thinking outside the box. Her cupcakes are just $2.50 each.

Or consider buying top cakes as your centerpieces for the tables which will serve two purposes. It cuts down on flowers, they're a little cheaper than a big cake, and everyone cuts their own.

And candles make great centerpieces for your tables as well. They are also less expensive than flowers. Or you could rent the glassware and use flowers from the wedding ceremony for the centerpieces.

Wedding Dress

The perfect wedding gown is likely the most expensive dress you will ever wear. But it doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars to look like a princess.

Angie's List suggests bridal gowns can be purchased at dramatic discounts at consignment boutiques and department stores. Do not be afraid to ask to see samples that have been in inventory for a long time. If you find one you like, ask for the best price.

Liz Bouch found her fantasy dress and then hit cyberspace. She googled the designer and gown name and ended up on Bride Power. She found the dress she wanted in one size larger than she needed. So she had it altered for $100. In the store, it would have cost her $1,500 and she wound up paying $350.

Flowers

When it comes to flowers, don't go with the most expensive ones. John Pawlak with Pawlak and Sons Florist, suggests using the flowers of the season and just giving him a color scheme. Pawlak said even though lilies and roses are around the same price, it takes fewer lilies to make a bouquet.

And if you really want to save, share. Find out if there's another wedding going on that afternoon and split the cost with that couple. Plus when selecting a venue for your wedding, you may want to consider the church calendar. Tokar suggests having your wedding around Easter or Christmas when most churches are dressed to the nines.

Wedding Planning

Planning a wedding can be far from fabulous. Liz Bouch is getting married in May and has been planning her perfect day for more than a year.

"I found someone to help me. I found a wedding coordinator, a wedding planner," said Bouch.

She chose not to foot the bill for full service, but instead hired Stephen Tokar as her florist and will pay for his assistance on the big day.

"Nice weddings aren't cheap and cheap weddings aren't nice," said Stephen. But he said you can get the "wow factor" on any budget. The first thing you need to do is make a budget and realize that half of it will be reserved for the reception.

One way to save money is cut down your guest list by inviting the people you talk to regularly. Tokar said if you haven't spoken with someone in a year, including family members, don't invite them. Each person costs about $100, so taking 10 guests off the list saves you $1,000.

You can also save by picking off peak days; Friday's and Sundays. For example, Sammy's location in Legacy Village costs $1,500 to rent on a Saturday in the summer, on a Friday or Sunday night the cost is $900. And an afternoon reception is $700.

It's even less if your wedding takes place January through March. Mary Kline of Sammy's tells couples you still have a wonderful affair during those months.

Discounts are the same for almost every vendor with one exception, your florist. Flowers are always more expensive around Mother's Day and Valentine's Day so avoiding those days will save you money. Also, pick flowers that are in-season with your wedding and choose flowers that are open and fuller, it will cut down on the cost.

You can also take an environmentally friendly approach to reception flowers and provide centerpiece cakes instead. There is no waste and guests can enjoy sampling other favors. Centerpiece cakes range from $35 to $100 each and provide huge savings over a one-time-use floral display.

Tokar also suggests thinking about having the reception and ceremony within the same location. That means one rental fee, and less decorations.

Do it yourself invitations are the easiest way to save about $1,000 and kits are available at Pat Catan's and other craft stores. You can even design your own with card stock and vellum.

Wedding Contacts

Alterations Tanya Grinberg Fast Needle- Milton's 5858 Mayfield Rd Cleveland, OH 44124 (440) 473-0990 Fast Needle

Florist Ed Pawlak and Sons Florist 5264 State Road Parma, Ohio 44134 (216) 351-4242 Ed Pawlak and Sons Florist

Venue Sammy's at Legacy Village 24723 Cedar Rd Cleveland, OH 44124 (216) 382-3089 Sammy's at Legacy Village

Baker Cookie and a Cupcake 2173 Professor Ave Cleveland, OH 44113 (216) 344-9433 Cookie and a Cupcake

Planner Stephen Tokar Stephen Tokar Event Design Studio 7029 Euclid Ave Cleveland, OH 44115 (216) 431-0578 Stephen Tokar Event Design Studio

Craft Store Pat Catan's Craft Centers Pat Catan's Craft Centers

Photographer LCD Photography 8500 Station Street Suite 220 Mentor, OH 44060 (440) 266-1970 LCD Photography

Jeweler Rivchun & Sons Jewelers 850 Euclid Ave Cleveland, OH 44114 (216) 781-0999 Rivchun & Sons Jewelers