Budget brides?

FH & I are trying to take care of the expenses for our wedding ourselves... Any other couples doing the same that can share tips/ideas on how to have a fairly elegant wedding on a smaller budget?

We're going for a classic/elegant feel to our wedding... and obviously money is an issue...
And food is going to be an issue too... We need a venue that serves pretty traditional Italian food to make our guests happy - so we don't have to hear them...

We want to have a 'budget' wedding without it actually looking like a budget wedding.. if that makes any sense....

And definitely lots of 'DIY'

Thanks!

There's alot of stuff you can 'save' on....
go with photographers that have a la carte packages- you just get proofs so that you can make your own album.
go budget on flowers- they're gonna die anyway! Go with low centerpieces, or make your own with candles! Jen2999 made AWESOME DIY Candleabra CPs...check her wedding review!
Save on limos...if you have a small BP just get one, or skip them completely!
Invites do not have to be so much I only spent $216 on mine and I ordered them online! You can also DIY.
use Phyllis at Bridal Elegance, Burtons or RK Bridal to order your gown- you get great prices there! Maggie Sottero gowns are VERY affordable by the way....
no need to go with hairdressers/makeup artists that come to your house....you can save by going to a salon!
If you save in some of these ways, you might be able to splurge in others so you can have that classy wedding you want!
I hope this helps!

Hey if you're new, definetly check out the book, 'Bridal Bargains' INVALUABLE resource! Tells you all about how to cut corners realistically. Tells you all about flower wholesalers in the city and online. Tells you which dress designers are worth the extra money and which are crap-You'll never guess what Vera Wang got as a grade!

Helped me figure out which was was better to book and where you can get good bargains. Believe me, its worth the 14 bucks unlike a lot of them out there.

i was a budget bride:

here's what i did to save money:

Saturday morning ceremony/afternoon reception in FEBRUARY (this was key)
Had it at a low-cost hall
Lots of DIY (made my own programs, menus, etc.)
NO centerpieces (hall provided)
Because my wedding was in Febraury, this enabled us to save with our other vendors: band was booked at half of what he usually charges, photographer gave us the video for FREE, etc. etc.
-I used friends with talents whenever possible... (i.e. friends did my music at my Mass, my friend played the bagpipes at church and the reception for us, etc. etc.)
-use lesser known vendors... most of the ones on this site i found to be very expensive... i foudn quality vendors that may be a little less 'popular' and they charged less.

Good luck... it is possible to have a nice wedding without goign too broke! GOOD LUCK!

Ok.. well I would def. say do an off season wedding..and at a venue that includes the centerpieces/cake / all top shelf liquor ( the place I am going to have my wedding has excellent penne and italian appeitzers)
-Look on ebay for alot of your favors / centerpieces
-buy your rings in the diamond district in the city some of them are better quaily then regular chain stores.. some stores i am using are antiqueengagementrings.com & doyleanddoyle in the city.. you will save $$$$$$$$
-Book your photographer and look for a good one on craigslist.com there are alot of talented photographers on there that are just starting out and they need a way into the business. i booked not one but two photographers from craigslist.com under 1500
-go to a flower wholesaler ( commack Florist.. i can't rave enough about this place )
-For makeup go to big name stores such as macys, bloomingdales and etc. and scout out womenat makeup counters who wear their makeup well and have them do a trial.. I have had mine done for free by 3 of them until i found one.. however I am paying her to come to me the day of and its under a $100
Go to a salon instead of someone coming to you a good salon that I go to is Salon Trio in Jericho..
-Find a friend with a antique car or car service or search them out on the net.. I just contacted the MODEL A Ford club of Long Island and they are coming FREE..so I can take photos with their faboulous vintage cars.. all i have to do is feed the one person who comes.. some companies wanted to charge me $600 for 2 hours of service!!!!!
- Get married at the reception hall.. this way you can avoid paying church fees and large limo fees..
-buy your dress off the rack
- buy your veil online
- buy jewlery offf of ebay or macy's has alot of good clearance jewlery
- Do your own invitaions
thats it for now I hope this helps !!!