In addition to delivering laughs by the minute, the recent comedy “Bridesmaids” can also offer up some budget wedding tips for the discerning bride. For most of the movie – which stars Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Rose Byrne – audiences get a healthy dose of what-not-to-do moments, from an impromptu bachelorette trip to Vegas to an over-the-top wedding shower complete with puppies for party favors. The underlying message beneath the comedy, though, is that simple is almost always best, and that a wedding that stretches beyond a bride’s budget is a recipe for disaster. Here are a few budget wedding tips that can be gleaned from the hilarious missteps of “Bridesmaids”:

1. Keep it local.

Annie, the maid of honor in this movie, organizes a planning lunch for the bridesmaids and selects an authentic Brazilian restaurant in downtown Milwaukee. Sidestepping a country club or upscale brunch location for a local eatery is a great way to save money and also support local businesses during your budget wedding. Yes, the entire bridal party experienced a bout of food poisoning, but checking out a place before a special event can help prevent any last-minute surprises.

2. Go handmade.

For the wedding shower in “Bridesmaids,” the unlucky maid of honor has the wonderful idea of creating a French-themed event in honor of the bride’s love of France. Envisioning handwritten place cards, small Eiffel Tower party favors, and a few special French foods, Annie has just the right idea for creating a simple but meaningful event. But when her idea is hijacked and taken to the next level, with chocolate fountains, live horses, and a plane ticket to France, it completely overwhelms the poor bride. Remember that for a budget wedding, those handmade touches can really make an event magical.

3. Scale back.

When Annie and the other bridesmaids visit a couture bridal shop, Annie checks out all the price tags before gravitating to the simplest, cheapest dress. While her nemesis selects an $800 frilled extravagance, Annie’s selection is not only more budget-friendly, but is also much more beautiful. Scaling back can often produce surprisingly elegant simplicity.

Next time you watch a marriage-oriented movie, pay attention to see what budget wedding tips you can gather!

Photo Credit: Corey Ann