Ok....so my FH and I are paying for everything and its stressing me out big time. Does anyone have any good ideas on how to cut costs or what to do? Paying for a wedding these days is nuts. I want my big elaborate wedding but at the same time how do I do it on such a small budget.
Autumn08
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Re: $$$$ All on us
If you can cut the guest list by 10 people, assuming it's $100pp (nice round number. Than on catering alone you are saving $1000 plus you are saving on invitations, decorations and favors.
Ask yourself in everything is really neccesary. Is this going to really make a difference at the end of the day. Here's a good link that was posted.
Set a budget and stick to it! Much harder to do than you think.
Saturday night is going to be most expensive. Especially in June. Spring and Fall months are gaining popularity like April, May, September, and October. Off months like November, January, Feb. will help save some money as well as and afternoon or off night (any night other than Saturday night).
Flowers can quickly add up. We started with a small BP and then when we heard how much it would cost to add to our BP it quickly added up and we opted out of this. There are ways to recognize family and friends like asking them to read a poem.
DJs cost less then bands. Do you really need all the extras and add-ons?
Photo and/or video is importanat. After the day this is what you have left! Hire a non-wedding prof. A photojournalis for a newspaper or a college grad. Or some photographers will shoot the day of for youand hand over the negatives for a fairly low price. You can make albums yourself. If this isn't your thing I'm sure we can recommend photographers for you.
I know you are trying to save money but go to Borders or Barnes and Noble they have many books (in the bridal section) like brides on a budget. They have great ideas!!!!!!!!!!
love2plan1
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Re: $$$$ All on us
Posted by tara08
candleabras with scattered rose petals around the base of the candleabra with votive candles ...
hey at least the room will be well lit.
That will be very pretty ;)
crsy7
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Re: $$$$ All on us
well u can rent a suv instead of a limo u can make ur own invites and ur own veil.
cherish83
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Re: $$$$ All on us
Posted by AMGBride2008
Do a lot of DIYs... wait until David's Bridal has the $99 gown sale. Scale back on your BP, the more people in your BP, the more flowers. Don't go crazy on the limo, instead of getting one for you BP and one for you and your FH, get one for the whole event. Cut favors... do your guests really need a candle (no offense to those of you doing candles... but you hear what I'm saying)?
As you move forward in your planning you'll figure out ways to cut corners... not to worry Good luck!
I was going to suggest the same thing. FH and are a paying a majority of the wedding. SO i plan to do a lot of DIYs!!
These are what i plan to DIY right now STDs Invitations Favors Unity Candle (my cousin is doing my makeup)
KickinDandelions
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Re: $$$$ All on us
Don't worry! FH and I are paying for the entire wedding ourselves as well, and I must say the girls on this board have TONS of great ideas! What we're doing...
1) DIY Invites - I bought a Gocco machine. FH will design the invites and I'll print them :)
2) DIY Centerpieces- I agree with everyone else. You don't HAVE to have a floral centerpiece. We may do rectangular vases (from IKEA) with rocks in the bottom (from IKEA) and floating candles. IKEA is a great resource!! Their vases go down to $.99 each!
3) Photographers/Videographers - We found a photographer through craigslist that I really like. (I'll FM you the info). As for videographers, we might ask them to tape just 6 hours and use our own software to edit the video and produce copies.
4) Bridal Party - I think we're having just one MOH, one Best Man. We MIGHT do one BM and one groomsman but are still debating about that.
I don't think I'll be doing an aisle runner..if I am, it'll be something like a really long sheet of paper (I still have to think that through )
Hope this helps!!
Soon2BMrsD
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Re: $$$$ All on us
we too are paying for just about everything ourselves. fils are chipping in a little but thats because we wanted a oct. wedding and they wanted june and we said if you want it so bad you pay for it.. so they are... (but the difference between the 2 not the whole thing) and trust me im very greatful.. my parents are buying my dress and as far as i know thats about it.
we are going to cut back with floral CP.. instead of the big tall ones were going to do something low and simple.
-favors are great but we may not be doing them if we cant fit them into the budget.
-invitations i plan on making them (if in the long run they are cheaper) ive found some really great cheap invites.
-limos... i may only have one for me and FH.. and have everyone else drive themselves.
theres pleanty of ways to cut back... guest list is something i can cut back on but FH just cant... his family alone is 115 people mine is 70... so i feel that we should only be paying for a certin amount on both sides. and then it should be the parents responsibilty to cover any extras suchs as aunts ive never met. etc.
i hope this helps i know its long!
Belongs2DanBuckley
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Re: $$$$ All on us
If you have ur heart set on floral CPs and flowers for your girls in the BP...you can DIY and you will save soooooooooo mcuh $$$
get vases from Ikea, flowers from either the internet or Trader Joes and craft tape and ribbon from Michaels and DIY...
if you want to get really fancy your can get the square vases and put 1 doz roses in each....scatter rose petals around the bottom and put tea lights around that....you can even put a quare mirror under it so it looks like the whole CP is illuminated...HTH...good luck
I'm in the same boat...I'm working 3 jobs and FH is working 2
