Bare Bones Wedding

My FI and I will be paying for the wedding ourselves. We chose January 2004 as I learned from these boards that off-season wedding can save you $$. Even with the savings on the reception it is still going to be a struggle paying for the wedding and I don't want to take a loan out...I have enough student loans as it is!
Any cost cutting tips would be greatly appreciated. I want a simple but nice wedding.
Thanks,
M

We also wanted a simple wedding, where the main goal is to give our friens a wonderful time (of course in our style). Where 80% of the money is going is for the caterer (including ceremony, officiant, flowers for the ceremony, wedding cake, cocktail hour, and dinner-reception) and the photographer ... I can't help I wanted my wedding recorded in good pictures

Then we did a lot of savings in hiring a DJ instead of a Band, and we are getting only 'one man DJ' no MC or dancer (it is not our style at all) no giveaways, no smoke, no lighting. Then the flowers, we are using the center pieces that the place provides that are buds in flower bases, because I have been in parties where the center pieces are actually annoying because nobody can see the other's faces. Favor, I am getting everything to assemble it, I decided for those nice glass top tins with mints with a beautiful pressed flower as a decoration.

Wedding gown, I am going for an informal yet beautiful Watters&Watters gown that including fitting in a nice wedding shop (although some people in this board have had troubles with them, they have been wonderful to me) costs me $465.

I ordered my veil online that costs me a fraction that in the store.
Bridesmaid (I have only one) dress in David's Bridal, and I am still searching for the rigth dress for my MOH. I don't have children in my wedding party ... my friends are childless (yet).

No limo (I might get a party bus for the guests out of town), I got my invitations online (about 30% less than in the store, and it does include proofs), and like my FH does jewlery as a hobby we are getting our wedding bands from the main supplier of these in USA and we will make them fit to our right size.

And of course, since I am a musician and I have a very talented brother and friends, the ceremony string trio and the jazz-fusion trio for the cocktail hour are some of my wedding gifts.

Make up and hair, I have not decided 100% yet, but I am getting my facials at an Aveda Salon called Hairsay, and they are wonderful. I might get that done there, with the money I would pay in hiring a makeup artist to travel to me and a hair dresser, I can pay for my Mother's and MOH's too in Hairsay. Of course, that has its downsides, like for example that I have to retouch by myself my makeup during the pictures ... but my MOH is good at that.

I still have a couple of things to get done ... but so far we are within our 10 grant budget, that of course is more than what originaly we wanted to spend.

I hope this helps!

Elena

A Sunday wedding will really help your budget. Also, keep the bridal party to 1 or 2 on both sides. Manage your guest list NOW, rather than later. Do not include people you barely know, or have known for a few weeks. Try to keep work friends off your guest list, explaining that the wedding is small and for family really. Do not allow parents to add people on that you have never heard of because 'they HAVE to be invited'. That is never true and if they insist tell them they must pay the full per person charge at the reception for them.
A large bridal party really adds up quickly. Get one limo large enough for you, husband, BP and parents (if you want). Or ask everyone to drive and just get a towncar for you and husband.
Look on eBay for great deals on headpieces, veils, favors and other things like guest books.
A good DJ instead of a band. Keep flowers simple and use lots of candles. You can get them on sale at Michael's for cheap, and they really make a room more beautiful. Book your vendors early so you have the best vendors at the best prices.
Ask to pay vendors in cash to avoid tax charges- many will do this.
Look for a gown you love and can afford. Try Alfred Angelo and Mori Lee gowns. They are affordable and nice.
Give a small favor that is thoughtful, such as homemade cookies or candies.
Keep your invites elegant, yet simple. You do not need to spend a lot to have nice invites.
I suggest never going cheap on photographers and getting a video. They are the only things you have to remember your day with when it is over. Do not let a friend tape your wedding or take your photos unless they are professional wedding vendors. You need someone with professional equipment and experience. You do not have to get tons of albums. Just get a nice album for you, an 8x10 for the house and get the parents a folio instead of an album. That is a few 4x6 photos in a nice collage type frame. Only send thank you photos to close family and friends. Send the rest a nice thank you note instead.
Look for BP gifts early, not when you are in a rush at the end. You can find beautiful gift ideas on sale, but when you have to get something quick you will end up spending more on something you do not like as much.
Cut the reception down to 1-hour cocktails, 3-hour reception. I have heard that saves a lot of money but have no proof of it.
I hope these ideas help.

If you really want to save, you could also try a Friday afternoon wedding. It may be inconvenient for most guests, but many wind up taking off from work for Friday night weddings (I know I do) so maybe a Friday afternoon wouldn't be so bad. You could also cut your reception down to 4 hours instead of five, especially if it will be a lunch.
Also, as I've learned from the board, cut your guest list as much as possible. Try making your own bouquets and centerpieces. Make your own invitations.
Good luck! I'm in the same boat.

In addition to what other girls are saying, try to get the most decoration/service out of the wedding hall (one place we looked at in NJ offerered excellent sitdown dinner + premium open bar, silk flowers for c/p and a chuppa rental for $69/pp plus 200 for flowers and 500 ceremony for Sat. afternoon). We also found out that sat. afternoon is similar in pricing as friday/sunday nights at most places.

Be simple yet elegant with flowers. I have heard, but have not done my own shopping, that veil/tiara/other accessories are also cheap in the garment district of manhattan. Definitely get a DJ over a Band, bands are expensive. Get an inexpensive gown. David's Bridal dresses are not bad, its only service and alterations that they can't do. So just look there (or on their website) and perhaps you can even find a dress during one of their sale periods. They will order you a new dress (not off the rack) if you pay in full upfront. Alter the dress elsewhere.

Also, search these boards for 'budget help', there is a lot of good replies there.

Alina

Just editing to add that you may want to consider doing your own make up, and let your Bridal party do their own. The bridal party does not absolutely have to have their hair in up do or you can leave the choice to them (they can pay themselves). Also if you get married at reception site, you don't need a limo (300 in savings)

How about a Sunday brunch, afternoon tea or cocktail reception. You'll save a lot.

As far as centerpieces go -- A lot of people love the look of piller candles -- which you can get cheap at Ikea.

Check out eBay & consignment shops for wedding gowns, tiaras, ring pillows, etc... I've seen some amazing deals out there... I got two matching baskets for $8 (with shipping) from eBay that my flower girls will hold --> these things usually go for $20!

If you're crafty -- or know someone who is -- think about making a ring pillow & garter yourself.

I agree - ditch the limos to save big bucks -- or if you really need them, I heard that funeral parlours will rent them out cheap (of course they won't be white...)

Don't buy wedding magazines -- they go for about $5 a pop. You can get better info for free via the Internet.

Make your own invites, wedding programs, etc on your computer.

Don't buy Thank You cards from the photographer -- use cardshots.com or another vendor that will convert a photo into a postcard or the cover of a folded card

I agree -- don't make your own flowers unless you use fakes and can do it far in advance and have friends or family available that will set them up for you. If you want real -- check out Burtons or another 'any flower - any style' vendor.

Keep the bridal & guest list small

Talk to recent brides -- see if you can borrow their slip, tiara, or other accessories (I'm borrowing the tiara I'll be wearing -- the bride spent over $800 on it -- but I'll get it for free! )

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I think I found a reception hall that has a good price that we can handle for a Saturday afternoon in January.

I'm definitely looking at DJs rather than bands.

I'm trying to keep the bridal party small (only 4 on each side)

Simple centerpieces - maybe something with candles as suggested - if the hall will allow it. Although I don't know if that will have the pretty effect since it will be light out during the reception.

Will look for deals on the dress...something simple but pretty.

Probably will end up going without the video but that is low on the priority list.

Thanks again,
M

Kidlibny:

Does your hall provide centerpieces? You may also consider doing clear fruitbowls =>that was my plan until we found out our hall offers silk flowers.

You may want to reconsider going w/o video. I say this b/c I know a few brides that have gone without, and later on they wish they could relive the moments, and wish they had a video.
It's your choice, just think about it.
Even a low-cost video is better than none.

The hall does not provide centerpieces other than decorations for the cocktail hour on the table where the cold salads and fruits will be. I have a Michaels near me that sells pretty glass bowls and vases and every few weeks or so the have coupons in the paper for 40% off one item. I have over a year so I figured if I pick up one bowl at a time it shouldn't be so bad.
I keep flip/flopping on the 'no video' thing. I've hear that you see to miss so much as a bride during the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception and it is nice to be able to go back and watch the day again. If there is money I guess we can try a simple video, no special add-ons to DVD.

I eneded up getting a video from T&T for $700 with a DVD & editing -- but no animation, no digital camera, etc. We don't want anything fancy - so it was perfect for us. They've gotten positive reviews -- I'll let you know how mine comes out when I get back from my 9-21-02 wedding...

There definitely are deals out there...

How about purchasing simple tulips the day before and placing them into the vases (only if you have someone else to do it on the day of)? I believe tulips are one of those flowers that stay long, so it may work. You could also consider doing bamboo shoots for centerpieces. Michaels also does silk centerpieces by request, but I think they're just as expensive as live flowers. The knot has silk rose centerpieces in polka dot pots for $15 or so each.
that's all I can think of now. I wonder if any places rent silk flower centerpieces, hm.