Affordable Vendors?

Has anyone gotten really affordable prices on DJ, photographer, videographer, limo, etc?? I havent even started looking at anyone, but I am really trying to stay under $25 for the whole wedding. Does anyone have suggestions?

Affordable Vendors?

Weddings are very expensive but definitely shop around to get the best prices and go to the bridal showcases (sometimes they offer discounts). Extras always cost money so if you can scale back then do so. Don't go into debt bc of a wedding. Happy Planning :)

Re: Affordable Vendors?

It looks like you already booked your venue, otherwise I'd say look into places with all inclusive packages. because that can save you so much.

Decide what's most important to you and try to cut back in the other areas, like spending more on photo/video and DJ and less on flowers and limos. You often get what you pay for. So if you see a really inexpensive photo/video package, make sure you look at as much of their work as possible to be sure that the quality is acceptable to you.

If you're creative, there are a lot of DIYs you can do (centerpieces, invitations, etc.). This way you're not paying a lot of money to have somebody do something you don't mind doing yourself.

Affordable Vendors?

Echoing what the others girls said - just prioritize what is important to you and be careful of the extras. An additional $400 there or $200 here may not seem like a lot, especially when you're already paying $2000, but all of those add up.

We spent a little more on photography and our DJ/MC in order to have the ones we wanted, but still took basic packages from them in order to keep the costs down (no extra albums or extra lighting or extra musicians, etc.). Having just gotten married last weekend, I think these are definitely the two most important vendors, because the photographer documents the day for you and the DJ/MC makes the party happen.

If flowers are important to you, then just shop around. I got mine from Michelle at Hidden Essence, and they were AMAZING and really reasonable. I got the exact same flowers quoted from another place that my cousin recommended, just to compare prices, and their price was literally double Michelle's price. Everything about working with Michelle was great. I cannot recommend her enough.

We didn't do limos because we did the ceremony and everything at the Watermill. No one saw us arrive in our parents cars, and by the time we left, no one was paying attention. We did book a shuttle for OOT guests, and we saved money on that by using First Student school buses. They were great - on time, clean, and less than half the price of a coach bus.

In the end, we still ended up spending over $40K for 230 guests and no honeymoon, so even when you're being careful, it all adds up very quickly.

Affordable Vendors?

In the Mood - (one of the Watermills DJ's) gave us a great deal and they were great.

Michelle - Hidden Essence was the best deal on flowers ($1000 less then anyone else) and the flowers were FANTASTIC and Michelle is amazing.

Photographer - shop this one carefully - and compare what you are getting.

Affordable Vendors?

I shopped around a bit for DJ's and checked out the reviews here, and the two best companies that charge less than the others seem to be Absolute Entertainment and After Hours. I've heard great things about both but we booked with Absolute because we liked that they posted their prices on their site, but they also gave us a great deal if we signed up at the Bridal Show we went to. Definitely check out the bridal shows, many vendors are willing to give you a discount if you put a deposit down that night.

We are trying to keep it under 20 and we've been successful. It is possible, but you have to decide your priorities. With photography and videography, you may find yourself getting above 25 - those two items can be very expensive. We are not having a limo, and the only real frill I'm having is a harpist for the ceremony. I didn't want to spend a lot on my dress or a dj and managed to find both on my budget. Mori Lee makes beautiful gowns, many under $1,000. My gown was elaborately decorated but still under 1,000! Some of the wedding costs were surprising - like officiants, flowers, etc. With tax and extra fees things often end up costing more. With your dress, there will be alterations. The best vendors are honest and upfront about their pricing. Many are willing to cut you a deal if you book multiple things through them. Our DJ would've given us a great deal on a photobooth if we booked through them, but unfortunately it's not in our budget. You may be able to get a deal on photo/video if you book both through the same place. Also, I recommend Fire Monkey hair design for a great affordable vendor. I checked out a lot of hairstylist's prices and she has much fairer prices for the trial and day-of. Hair and makeup trials can be expensive, let alone for the day-of. Happy planning!

Affordable Vendors?

Haggle!!! We haggled a lot.
I see your wedding date in January. Use that to your advantage.
Remind them that's their slow season. It works!
I DJ shopped and absoulte entertainment haves us the most value for our dollar
Don't cheap out on photog you will regret it.
Video white diamond gave us great deal without sacrificing quality.

Affordable Vendors?

Definitely research and negotiate your price, that helps out a lot. Remember there are a lot of vendors who are competing for your business so you have the advantage. Also, I agree with the other brides here, try to figure out which one is your priority. For my husband and I, we knew we wanted great pictures and video so we spent a good chunk of our budget in that area. HTH

Affordable Vendors?

Try using vendors that may not be big names. You have to be careful but there are a lot of great vendors out there if you do your research. My friend is getting a basic one man DJ package for $600 for her wedding.

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I can't say more good things about Fade to Black for Photo/Video. We were really budgeted and Gil came up with something that really worked for us, and has been really great to deal with. Try giving him a call.

Re: Affordable Vendors?

I have heard good things about these vendors and my sister used them as well.. for photo/video Golden Moments and for dj Ultimate sounds or In the Mix dj's. The two guys at golden moments were really nice and were willing to work on the cost and she also used In the Mix and everyone was amazing there. Ultimate sounds did my friends wedding and they were just as great they really made the party.

Re: Affordable Vendors?

I just got married and everything I did was on a budget. Check my review.

Every vendor I met, I negotiated to see their price and what they had to offer. It will work out in your favor.

I used Trio Productions as our DJ. He was GREAT, Brooklyn based DJ but does travel (We got married in Long Island). He gave me an amazing price for what we got. I contacted After hours, Satisfaction Guaranteed, Variety and no one came close to his price.
If you want more info, FM me.

I also used GT Modern Creations. I like having two videographers to film both bride and groom. Their prices did go up but inquire about them. You get two videographers for the whole day. Their were so professional, sweet and non intrusive. I didn't even know they were there half the time.

Invitations were my major concern in price. I was so scared I was going to pay through the roof. I paid $500 for what I got. Speak with Diana from Sweet Stuff Designs. Tell her Noelle sent you. She really is great.

Etsy and Ebay were my best friends. I looked for deals like the garter, unity candle, veil, jewerly on there. I got a lot of stuff on there for half the price. My veil was beautiful and only $30!!

Hair & Makeup, I asked for reduced rates and they did bring down their rates.

Honeymoon, I used expedia.com because they will match any price you find elsewhere for cheaper. You also earn rewards for trips that can be later used for future trips for discount savings in hotel, flight and/or activities.

Limo - I used Allstar and they were AMAZING!!!!! But, they are pricey. Lancelot was my 2nd choice and he was cheaper but I loved Allstar so we choose them.

TIPS...start saving change in something and cash it from time to time to help save for the tips. That alone will be help you save for this.

Affordable Vendors?

I used Get your Groove on for my DJ and he was awesome. Great to work with and very affordable.

Affordable Vendors?

Fade to Black told me they start in the high 4k for photo/video... is that true?