Cvent

Whether its fragrant blooms, bold colors, or striking centerpieces, event decor can really create a "wow" factor at your events. But as budgets become tighter, event decor expenses often get trimmed first.

So how can you continue to create a lavish setting on a shoestring budget?

• Focus on one item. It's easy to get caught up in all the ways you can adorn your event, but more often than not too many decor elements not only look overdone, they also break the bank. Pick one or two key decor elements, and slash the budget on the other areas.

• Choose flowers based on season. It makes sense, but often times meeting planners become too set on one type of flower that they bypass equally beautiful seasonal buds that come at a lower cost. For the truly frugal planner, look into fake flowers. Fake flowers have come a long way, and today high-end look-a-likes can be be rented at a fraction of the price of real flowers.

• Lighten up. Lighting is a simple way to set the mood for your event. From custom projections to colored lights, lighting is one of the most cost-effective ways to transform your event.

• Select an already luxurious location. Unique venues such as museum galleries and upscale restaurants often have the decor covered. Unlike some conference centers and purpose-built meeting facilities, you won't have the need to buy flowers, linens and other elements to jazz up the scene.

In a tough economy, it's essential to make sacrifices in your meetings and events. However, when it comes to decor, a few easy fixes can mean you only cut back on costs, not ambiance.