So now that my date doesnt seem like it FOREVER away (less than a year and a half to go!) I plan to start looking at vendors. So far the only thing I have done is booked my venue (we picked a winter date for a better price).
Since FH and I are pretty much paying for most of the wedding ourselves, we have a very tight budget. (I HAVE to keep it under 30K for everything) Any other brides recomend afforadble vendors?? (DJ, Photo, Video, florist, Limo just for drop off and possible shuttle bc we are getting married at the venue itself).
Also, does anyone care to share some money saving tips? I would like to do as much as I can myself, but I am not too crafty.
Thanks in advance!!
meejack1110
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Budget Brides??
Hey I'm staying WAYYY under that so it is for sure do-able. In fact I wouldn't even call 30k a tight budget, I think most vendors can/will fit within your budget, and I'm happy to help if you need.
My DJ is Parties Alive they are a great company and worked with my budget the most. Florists who give the best value for a budget are Hidden Essence and Black Dahlia (in my experience that is). For Shuttle, you could always find a hotel that includes it and that would save. To save on an officiant we are having a friend become ordained online so that's free! lol
Other tips I used is Vista Print for all stationary (including wedding invites) they are easily personalized and if you are creative you can make very nice ones (all my invites were under $100!) But the overall best way to save money is to keep the guest list down! That will by far be the biggest expense!
Hope that helps and just FM me if you have any questions I'm alllll about making my tight budget to work, and happy to help.
marquitatweety
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Budget Brides??
How many guests are you having? We are having about 60 to 80 guests. Invites just went out today. Our entire wedding with everything is under $10k so 30k is definitely obviously doable depending how many guests your having. Invitations are inexpensive and you receive them very quickly from invitations4less.com. DJ we are using Absolute Entertainment and got a great price from them. Florist we went with Flowers by Burton, they ONLY do weddings. Its a set price no matter what type of flowers you use! We haven't done the limo/shuttle pricing yet, waiting to see how many guests will be staying at the hotel to see if it will be worth it or not. I diy my cry packs which was inexpensive and adds a little personal touch. I originally wanted to keep our bridal party very small because costs add up with bridal party gifts, etc but my fiancé wasn't hearing it and we went with the bigger bridal party. But if you can keep it small definitely try because the cost for gifts does add up. We bought a lot of stuff from Michaels and AC Moore with 50% off coupons which saved a bundle. You can do your own centerpieces which we are doing. We bought hurricane vases from Michaels which were on manager special that were originally 17.99 and we got them for 9.99 each. The candles for them were on clearance so we got them for a great price, and pebbles with colors from Big Lots were cheap. If our centerpieces costed a total of $200 I'd say that was about it for 10 tables. The florist wanted $750 for 7 tables so we saved good there doing it ourself but without flowers. Video is about the same price with whoever you look at. Lighthouse photography is the best for pictures. LOVE there work. Try to keep the cost of your dress down. I got overwhelmed when I first when and chose a dress I fell in love with and ignored the budget I had set for it and now kind of regret it because it was $1000 over what I wanted to spend. You can do your favors yourself for cheap. We used 50% off coupons with Michaels and got small candles, with the votive candle holders spent maybe about $60 or $70 total I believe and got labels printed from vistaprint which were not expensive and for the wrapping we are using purple sparkly tulle and bow. That saved money as well. Good luck with everything!
dawnbon26
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Budget Brides??
Florist - Hidden Essence, Officiant - Rev. Nick, DJ - In the Mood, Invitations - Vistaprint (used groupons), Party Bus - Coachman Transport (used for the whole BP and then used it for the guest shuttle, had it for the whole day.)
For photo/video, check out Fade to Black. Gil will work with ANY budget and he's just so awesome to work with. LOVE him!
For limos, maybe check out All Star if you just need drop-off and maybe shuttle. I've also heard excellent things about Camelot.
JM1224
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Budget Brides??
Best money saving tip... set a budget and stick to it. Some couples choose to save on some items and splurge on others; think about what is important to the two of you and go from there. That was the best advice I got and it really helped me stay on track.
But... that being said... know things will ultimately come up that cost more than you think. If you know you need to keep everything under 30K, set your total budget lower. If things cost a bit more, you can still be under 30K.
Most vendors can work with you when you let them know what you are expecting to spend. I remember specifically - the florists I visited all were accommodating to keep costs where I wanted them to be.
And I'll second Camelot for limos - they were the best price I found for what I needed.
BrideToB
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Budget Brides??
My budget isn't too far over yours and I'm not exactly going the cheapest route with all my vendors so it's very doable. I know Gil from Fade to Black offered the most inexpensive packages and his work is a great quality. Since you have so much time, wait for deals before you buy anything. For instance, if you want to provide flip flops for your guests, wait for the Old Navy dollar sale. Groupons are great for Vista Print. I did my Save the Dates practically free using a groupon and other VP deals I found. A DJ is probably more affordable than a band and there are great ones out there for decent prices. Also - the Black Friday deals will be good for you. The Knot and other wedding vendors do great deals for favors and other decor items during Black Friday. My limo is just drop off/pick up and was the cheapest of everyone I called (Red Carpet Coach Limo).
BrideToB
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Budget Brides??
Ooops hit submit by accident. I just wanted to add the limo is also doing the shuttle b/c my hotel doesn't provide that, but if you find a hotel that includes it that's a savings as well. It can be done! Good luck!!
Jott1015
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Budget Brides??
We are having 125 guests - venue alone is 14K, so I need to cut basically everywhere else lol
Jott1015
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Budget Brides??
I was actually thinking below 25K
MissToMrs
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Budget Brides??
I am staying below 25K. This won't include our honeymoon since thats what my parents are giving us as a gift! However; for vendors, I am using Memento Photo (amazing work and very affordable!) We choose not to do flowers, so I am making my own centerpieces- christmas ornaments in glass bowls with some other accents which i picked up at the end of the christmas season for around $50 total (all about knowing what you want and finding deals). We aren't using a florist, I am having brooch bouquets made for me and my girls so I can recommend my etsy vendor. For my bouquet and my 6 bridesmaids, it came to $650. :) For music, we aren't sure yet, we haven't booked although we need to get a move on it! We are only contributing $1800 for music; my parents want a band, so if we end up getting a band, they will pay the difference but there are plenty of djs for $1800. I have heard phil from after hours is around that price and he has great reviews!
good luck! :)
vppjzv
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lauren1802
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Budget Brides??
hidden essesnce for florist ($1000 less than other vendors, i found easier than making our own centerpieces- who would set it up?!- and worth a few extra hundred $)
etsy for invites (mine were $2 per)
transtar exec for limos
get in every LIW contest possible, maybe you will win something!!
For flowers: Hidden Essence!! Definitely! She was HALF the price of any other florist I talked to!
Photos: KEN HILD!!!! If you want FM me and I'll send you his info and pricing :)
DJ: AFTER HOURS!!!! Phil is AMAZING and gave me SUCH a great deal for the one man DJ package and the photobooth!!
Soon2BMrsPortz
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Budget Brides??
For photo/video: I'm another bride on the Fade to Black bandwagon! The amount and quality you get for the price you pay is fantastic. Gil's so quick to get back to you too. Some of my engagement photos are in my album if you wanna check it out. I'm so happy with them.
Florist: Definitely Hidden Essence. I checked out 3 florists and she came in well below the other two plus she's so nice and responsive.
DJ: I went with Tommy's Tunes who is pretty affordable but the lowest price we were quoted was actually Absolute Entertainment, which I've heard good things about, but we just didn't like the guy we met with so we decided against them. After Hours will sometimes price match so if you find a cheaper price somewhere else but you really like them, go back to Phil with that price and he'll try to work with you.
Limo: I'm still looking into Limo's but so far the lowest price I was quoted was from Transtar Exec. Still waiting to hear back from All Star and Lancelot though.
nella20005
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Budget Brides??
You can def be under 30k. I would say mine is around $20k-$22. This site helps alot. The ladies here a great with telling everyone about a bargin. I'm always looking for for sales and deals. I put aside money every paycheck for things I know I need to get soon but I'm waiting for a sale (i.e. flip flops or napkins) I also shop early so it doesn't feel like I'm spending alot at once. I even got a pt job to help with the little things like flowers and limo.Start now and you will be suprised what you can save.
Jott1015
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Budget Brides??
OMG thank you so much everyone for all the suggestions ideas!! much much appreciated!!! I was sooo stressed thinking I wouldn't be able to afford my wedding but you guys gave me such hope! lol. We are planning to save 20K by the wedding and with some $$ from my mom and possibly taking out a small loan from my 401K I max out at 30K - but ideally I wanted to stay around 25K, and it seems do able.
Thank you again everyone!!!
nella20005
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Budget Brides??
I wouldn't take out a loan. That's one piece of advice my boss told me. She said if you can't do it like you want either down size or move the date.
canoli
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Budget Brides??
I agree do not take out a loan. It's one extra stress that you and FH don't need starting your married life. check out burtons and wicks for flowers. they seem to be the cheapest.
Poggi
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Budget Brides??
I wouldn't take out a loan. One of my coworkers took out a personal loan for her wedding and she told me that she really regrets it. Do whatever you have to do to avoid it. You don't want to start your lives together with a debt.
