I just spent the last hour playing around with numbers and realized that I cant afford this wedding!!!
What are some of the things you girls did to save money?? I am already having the wedding during an off peak time...and now considering a Friday night.
TIA
Tria1110
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Re: Best ways to save money???
We had a Friday night wedding (not b/c we had - we just like Friday's better than Saturday's) and it was great! The halls are cheaper on Friday nights as well and usually have a lower minimum guarantee. I would forget wedding programs. I would choose a photographer like 12th Night that are reasonably priced but don't include albums - you can have them made cheaper. Don't go crazy on favors - they aren't completely necessary. Get your veil & tiara at Barron's at Tri-County - they are terrifically priced. Go for a DJ instead of a band - that alone will save you thousands. Shop around for flowers - prices vary greatly from place to place.
Just some ideas... good luck!
Mdolph6
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Re: Best ways to save money???
We decided on a Friday night which in the end will save us....but OVERTIME is always good!! Ive learned that there are some things that we can save money on...for example...photos are very important to me so we got what we wanted there but we didnt get the top package for our video...sounds little but you would be surprised on how much you can save that way.....
Also dont buy the first thing you see...shop around!! I didnt do that in the begining and boy did I waste alot ...Oh and dont do the things that you absolutly may not need....ie, programs, menus etc...
GOOD LUCK!! You can do this!!
mishmosh328
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Thanks so much!! I was on the verge of just running off to Vegas!!!
libby2595
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Re: Best ways to save money???
i'm going to share with you the best budget advice i've read/heard.
write down a discription of your 'dream wedding', then come up with you total budget (what your parents can contribute, what his parents can contribute, how much you have saved, and how much you can save between now and the wedding). once you have this together, get the free wedding planner from statefarm. i know there is a thread around here for it.
there is a budget breakdown in the planner. follow it. then decide where you can cut corners, and decide what is not a 'must have'.
this is the way to start. if you still find that you need more money, look into a second job and/or overtime.
diy ALL that you can. the things that you can probably diy are: invites cps altar decorations programs menus card box favors
i'll be back to post more money-saving ideas
GettinHutched
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Re: Best ways to save money???
What I'm doing:
Having a small bridal party Going with only one limo A small budget for invites very affordable dress Going with Burton's for flowers (VERY very affordable and reasonable!) and having low centerpieces cheap favors (huge beer mugs from...shhhh....Dollar Tree hahaha!! But we are getting them screen printed) DJ (but I always wanted a DJ anyway- but without the flashy package)
And of course...the advice so far in this thread is very helpful!!
Another great way to make sure you keep your savings going is to have an automatic transfer from your checking to savings for each paycheck. I have an online savings account (Emigrant Direct) with a very high interest rate so I'm saving lots of money that way!
Good luck!!!
libby2595
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Re: Best ways to save money???
*non-floral centerpieces *no favor or donation favor (your guests don't need to know EXACTLY how much you gave per guest) *look into getting 'hand-me-down' items from other brides *use as much help from friends and family *don't use std
miss nee
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Re: Best ways to save money???
took a sunday date..asked for sunday discounts...packed lunch(occasionally)..purchased fh a 10kt band still w/bling)instead of a 14k...purchased bm dresses from a catalog(nwr) and
conigs25
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Re: Best ways to save money???
I happen to LOVE fri night weddings so thats why i did mine then. If its gonna save you money then do it!!
Can you get a PT job? Take a loan?
How about going easy on floweres? I did candelabras bc i really am NOT a flower person and im sure that saved me money.
You can also make your own invites, rent a gown, have a SMALL BP, do a donation for favors, hire video/photo from same vendor, get a DJ w/ no extras....
Ot looks like your date is April?? Is that really 'off season'. Im sure if you did Jan-March, youd get an AMAZING deal!! Or look into a Thurs night (getting VERY popualr) OR, the day before July4th. Itll prob be a weekday but itll feel like a Friday
cjb88
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Re: Best ways to save money???
I did A LOT of DIYS
but the biggest savers were:
candle CPs instead of flowers
proof only photo package (i made my own album with mypublisher.com)
BRod-Cheng
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Skip the STDs. I relied on word of mouth. I sent out STD only to about 10 people that had to travel from out of state. And, I made them myself.
libby2595
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Re: Best ways to save money???
Posted by BRod-Cheng
Skip the STDs. I relied on word of mouth. I sent out STD only to about 10 people that had to travel from out of state. And, I made them myself.
i sent std's ONLY to those who live in another state
myranscott
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Re: Best ways to save money???
We are skipping the limos. Would rather spend money like that on the honeymoon.
sunflower13
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Re: Best ways to save money???
I agree with the other ladies who posted.....also just to save money in general FI and I stopped going out to dinner and bring lunches to work...good luck you can do it!!!!
woobie113007
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Re: Best ways to save money???
This is what Im doing to save money........ No STDs Doing my own invites.....IMO invites are just going to get thrown out so no need to spend a ton of money on them. I got mine from ACMoore (with a 50% off coupon) and they came out to 11.08 each box. Centerpieces......DIY project.....Candles (pic in ny album if you want to see) Didnt splurge on my wedding dress.....Got it from Davids Bridal and Im absoutly in love with it (Less than 600). Making my own Unity Candle, and Card Box.
Outside of the wedding.....FH and I bring lunch to work, we go out once on the weekend (if at all), we go to dinner once in a while (not as often as we used to). I also had to give up my shopping sprees. We have a house also. Its going to be okay you can do it.
OH also, for the less costly vendors, if you can, try to pay them all in Cash....They seem to love that and will most likely take something off the cost and BARGIN BARGIN BARGIN!!!
Summer07Bride
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Re: Best ways to save money???
I agree with what everyone is saying . . . shop around!!! i got some really great deals by seeing a bunch of different vendors. Also cut costs, however you can. i have been pricing 2-limos and now I am going to cut it down to one. Also it helps to do things yourself or find a crafty person to help you out. My FMIL offered to make my centerpieces for me which is going to save my thousands.
branNjay
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Re: Best ways to save money???
We are trying to combine things.......like we are having small 10 inch cakes as center pieces that way center pieces are not wasteful and we dont have to buy a huge cake..........also u can use the BM flowers on the head table so you have some flowers at the reception.......we arent buying any decorations for the reception(whos really pays attention to those kinds of things anyways?)
waterspout4
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Re: Best ways to save money???
We waited for things to go on sale, then bought them, even if it was 1 year before the wedding. Also, I got an amazing deal on my gown!!!! (Read my review, if you'd like) I also made our RB pillows, unity candle and tapers, cardbox and other things.
mishmosh328
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Thanks for all your help! I would really lose my sanity without this website !
SuzArtie69
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I'm having a small bridal party also Going with only one limo I love a dress that's only $649 Thinking of having low centerpieces/ DIY haven't decide on my theme yet. Inexpensive, but useful favors like coffee/ice cream scoops. There are tons online for $2 and change if not cheaper. DJ, nothing fancy and he's also covering my ceremony, and CR.
I'm also trying out my own invites. AC Moore is great even better with the coupons.
Have fun and definitely shop around for all your stuff. Weddings are expensive. If you see something that you like, try to take it apart with your eyes. You'd be surprised how much you can save if you DIY.
