I just went to Brides.com and used their budget calculator. Eeek! very scary. Not helping with the insomnia situation.
In everyone's experience or opinion, what do you think is safe to save some money on given that we are wayyyyy over what I wanted to spend on the reception.
I was thinking invites and programs as DIY's but other than that, short of calling a cab to bring me to the ceremony (which actually might be cute considering I live in NYC) what else do you think is 'okay' and not too noticable or have too big an impact on the event?
BrideInBlue
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
We are doing no floral cp's to cut down there. Also I chose to go with wooden flower bouquets. They are less costly and everyone can keep theirs forever without spending $$$$$ for preservation (also you can get any colors you want, even those that you could not have gotten in real life) I don;t have mine yet but heres a sample pic from their site
Mici n KC
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
Get one big limo instead of several. Go with flowers that are in season. Don't go crazy with invites. There are tons of beautiful, elegant ones that are very inexpensive. Favors can be something like jordan almonds or something else that is one per couple. Make a budget as to how much your spending for your BP gifts. On your HM buy some snacks to bring with you or at a local store (even better if your room has a fridge) and eat cereal for breakfast. That will help save money on food at restaurants.
ali120206
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
Posted by jaiese
It depends on what your priorities are. You should spend more on what you feel is important. QUOTE]
ITA!
karabara
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
Wow! these are all such great ideas. thank you! i can't wait to put some of them to into action!!
above is a link someone created on ways to save....
this link is very good! thanks for putting it here....
mrsdraskin2009
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
Everyone here gave tons of great tips. I am an event planner (and sometime wedding planner) and here are some tips:
*Ask your RH aboutn a Wedding Dinner instead of a reception. You have a downgraded CH but then all the perks of a reception, the room, dancing, etc. You can save $20-50.
*Go to the salon or have a friend to hair and makeup. Having a traveling m/u artist or stylist will cost big bucks.
*Consider an off-day or time
*Limit BP
*Have an adult only reception (kids can add up)
*No video
*Casual RD (at home, inexpensive buffet)
*One limo for BP
*Scratch extras like aisle runners, pew decor, altar decor, or excessive CPs
Snickers76
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
1.Invites-You can get really lovely invites for a good price. Plain white cardstock is elegant.
2. Some flowers-I like flowers, but looking back, I would cut out the men's bouts. I may have also eliminated the cps and just used candles and rose petals.
3. favors-again, nice, but so is a donation favor.
4. small BP-less EVERYTHING!!
5. All of the extras--cry packs, slipper baskets, fancy card box etc.
ETA: The tips from the post above mine are all EXCELLENT.
drpepper318
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
I shopped around a lot for things to get quality but good prices. I went 'cheaper' on stuff I didn't care about as much like flowers and invitations. And I skipped most of the DIY stuff. We also had a much less extravagant honeymoon than most people (but just as much fun!). I suggest you figure out what's most important to you for your wedding and what you're willing to splurge on, and then cut back on everything else.
reneemarie2
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
You can save alot on flowers by looking into local florists. However do keep in mind that because they don't order large amounts of flowers, they may not get bulk discounts like some of the large 'wedding florists'. That's why you should shop around. I found that some of the smaller florists I visited were much cheaper, and some were actually more. Look into non-traditional florists as well...such as Stop and Shop. They were extremely reasonably. The only draw back is that they don't deliver, but if you can enlist a friend to pick everything up and deliver it to the RH, the savings may be worth it.
lonal
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
Deveryone has such good budgeting ideas! I should pay more attention to them! LOL I looked into candled as CP and they are sooooooo much cheaper! I also love candels and only like flowers so for me, it's a great idea! Good luck
ratherbealeper
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
-postcards are cheaper than actual envelopes for RSVP cards
-buy a laser printer - it will pay for itself in no time at all
-get someone crafty to make your veil. its really really easy and saves a bunch of $
-you dont have to do all flowers, you can toss in a lot of greenery, planty type stuff, and branches etc.
overall, try to spend the money on stuff that you and your FH will have AFTER the wedding as cake gets eaten, invites get thrown away etc. I always try to keep in mind what will have the biggest impact/photograph well versus the cost. Also, mimicing what you see is easier than copying it exactly.
Mich0621
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
I know there is a thread that was awesome from a so-proclaimed budget bride (I think an 06' er) who had a beautiful wedding! I will try to find it and bump it up.
I definitely know that this is a daunting task, and it is good to think ahead, because everyone, including myself, tends to go over budget. Here are some things I am doing (although some ideas we aren't using since FMIL is paying for a lot of upgrades)
1. We decided on a short engagement (6 mos), and when we went to many places, they were dying to cut us a deal because when you get close, and they lose money if the room is left unbooked. If you don't want a short engagement, it also works well to be flexible on dates, times, times of year, days of the week, etc. You will pay an armload for a Saturday evening in the summer in many places, but can probably pay less if you chose another time. Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons, and even Saturday afternoon tend to be cheaper. Also if you want am on season, consider a holiday, like Memorial Day, Labor Day, 4th of July-these are cheaper. I have also heard of cocktail receptions, without the sit down dinner, which might be nice! Also, be careful with extras, they add up! For example, a Viennese Table is lovely, but most people are stuffed by dessert and will only have a little of whatever is in front of them! 2.Only you can prioritize what is important to you-what must you have? We splurged on photography, which is very important to me! Also, flowers: low arrangements are cheaper, and so are the in-season flowers. Silk also looks nice and you have a DIY! 3. Here are my unneccessaries: favors (most people toss these-me being one of those people), cry packs, slipper baskets, bubbles, limos (ceremony and reception at one place). If you can live without certain things, go for it. Also certain things I want I will DIY-programs, menus You can also DIY invites and save a load! Also, you can save on-shoes (you can get a lovely pair inexpensively, no one sees them really), jewelry-you can find lovely options in a flea market-ditto for veil and headpiece! 4. Don't be afraid to negotiate!
Sorry so long...HTH!
Mrs. V 2008
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
Posted by JennyJim
flowers... they die
although they are beautiful, I'd rather spend the moola on photography
I agree! i don't see spending thousands of dollars on something thats going to die!
jtgarsik
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
honestly, for me it was just searching high & low & REALLY working & negotiating with my vendors. I wanted everything in my wedding to be beautiful...so i took my time, and really searched for great deals with great quality....my wedding wasnt super cheap, but it wasnt an absolute fortune either.
karabara
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
You guys have such great ideas.
Mrs. Draskin, rats! I already signed my contract and didn't even know this was possible! I'd wish I'd know. My sister's good friend is actually a hair person (she worked in trump plaza salon or some fancy place like that) so maybe I should ask her to do my hair. I'd so much prefer giving her the money than someone else. Plus, she might give me a more reasonable rate since she isn't affiliated with a salon. We are getting married in the RH, they are (lucky for me!) including an aisle runner and flowers for the front. They also provide a floating rose per cocktail hour table.
You are all so correct, I need to prioritize and prioritize. I know my CP is important to me. So are my bridesmaids' dresses. And, what else? the invites I want pretty, but I don't want to spend tons of dough on it b/c ppl look at it for 5 minutes, then throw it out after they write it on the calendar. I should make the direction card very fancy since that is what ppl keep! haha! The cake is important to me. I want a fun, beautiful cake! Maybe I will drive down to Baltimore and visit Duff from Ace of Cakes! (i wish!)
I definitely want to make my own invites. I'm very nervous about it though. It seems very daunting and like I will need to do numerous trials. I feel less nervous about making my own veil (which I plan to do!)
I need a new printer. I feel like it's an extravagance, but I guess since I will use it way beyond the wedding it's not a bad idea. Plus, the amt I'd save from printing my own invites, menus, table numbers/pictures and possibly programs, it would be worth it. I might also do my own thank you's. Oh boy! I'm getting stressed. It seems like so much b/c I'm no graphic artist.
BTW - Mrs. Dee - I bought that bridal bargains book! it's awesome. I can't wait to read more of it. thanks for the ref!
karabara
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
Posted by jtgarsik
honestly, for me it was just searching high & low & REALLY working & negotiating with my vendors.
I'm terrible with negotiating. what are some things that you did? the only 'negotiating' i did really just kind of fell into my lap. I didn't want carving stations at my cocktail hour (it was just so unattractive to me) and the BM said she'd take $5 off the price per person for me. I didn't ask for it, so it kind of doesn't count as negotiating!
ratherbealeper
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Re: Budgeting - what's safe to save on?
We bought a kickass HP laser jet that was about $150 and it been my right arm since we started this wedding stuff... As for the invites, they are pretty easy and there are so many girls on here that arent designers and they have made super cute ones (my FH and I happen to both be artists/designers and this actually made it harder as we would quibble over fonts... he actually brought pantone chips to the paper store....)
