Help cut costs!!

EastCoastGirl31 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 08:17 PM

Help cut costs!!

I really need to cut costs with everything. I have seven months to plan my wedding. I need to come up with a good DJ, Florist, and Photographer/Videographer. I am starting from scratch and am really overwhelmed. I just booked my wedding site last week!

Janine24 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 08:21 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

where were you thinking of cutting costs? In my opinion I think you could go a little less with the flowers and save some $$ there. You could also check out davids bridal to try to find a dress that is lower in price. With photographers...I would check out Patken...they will work with anyones budget. Hope this helps

EastCoastGirl31 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 08:23 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

Thanks...does Patken do photojournalism?? I definitely don't want to sacrifice on the pictures...that's really important to me. I definitely want to keep the $$ down, though.

Janine24 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 08:29 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

yes...they do photojournalism... their work is amazing I just had my engagement shoot with Steve this weekend and the pics came out great

EastCoastGirl31 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 08:30 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

Are you having your wedding photos done with them also??

How much should I expect to pay??

kim425 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 08:31 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

My suggestion would be to not sacrifice the photos. This is your wedding, you want to remember it. Don't skimp on the photos. I would try to cut costs with the flowers and the dj and the limos. Flowers? you could try making your own centerpieces. Are you getting married at the reception hall or at a church? You could just get a limo for you and your FH. You don't have to get the limo for your bridal party. I'm getting married at the reception hall so I'm not getting a limo for my bridal party. i was amazed at how much money that ended up saving.

neen Posted: Nov 03, 2003 08:34 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

I second cutting costs on the flowers-try Burton's (they do a great job and give a great price). I also plan to cut costs on the invites-people just toss them anyway. Good luck

Janine24 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 08:35 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

I def. agree with Kim, I dont think you should cut $$ with the pics. But I just feel Patken can work with the $$ you want to spend...

EastCoastGirl31 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 08:40 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

Photos are NOT something I am willing to sacrifice. I am new to this and don't know how much to expect as far as cost. How much does the Florist, DJ, Photo. cost?? I won't be getting limos. The wedding and reception are both at the hall. I will cut on invitations...but, how much should I expect to pay??

Janine24 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 08:44 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

my DJ was 1500
don't have a florist yet
pics & video over 4000

but I think the prices really depend on what you want and how many pics you get per album, etc...

EastCoastGirl31 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 08:46 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

Who is your DJ?? and is that the average cost?

Janine24 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 08:51 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

my Dj is Diamond Cut Productions... they are a house DJ of the swanclub. But there are a lot of other DJ's I would look into on this site. I may actually be switching Dj's because I know someone who just used them and wasn't completely happy. So see what some other girls have used.
I think avg. is less than 2000

gertyrae Posted: Nov 03, 2003 09:04 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

We are using the centerpieces at the Vineyard, so our flowers are only $750, DJ was $1500, and our pics are $2000. I agree with not skimping on the pics, too much. We aren't doing a video to save $$, and we waited till now to book the limo. We have an advantage though cuz of when we are getting hitched you may have to be more careful cuz you are getting married at the height of the season.

EastCoastGirl31 Posted: Nov 06, 2003 03:58 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

the centerpieces that the Vineyards use... what do they look like???

wc0143 Posted: Nov 06, 2003 04:03 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

Try contacting Stan Weist (vendor on this board) about DJ. We are meeting with him tonight and his price seems reasonable (less than what others have posted but it was for reception only - 4 hrs).

D&J Posted: Nov 06, 2003 04:12 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

.. personally I think the most important part of any wedding is the music and pictures/video, but that's just me..

Flowers I feel if your on a tight budget, you dont have to have such expensive centerpieces, you can keep them simple or even make them yourself
... as for your dress you can find at sample sales etc. for cheap.. you just have to shop around.

If your looking of a band, I have the PERFECT one... They are a 9 piece band for $5800. They are located in Rockville Centre..
Echoe Orchestras, Inc
(516) 766-6839
Tony Saitta (he's a doll!)

I went to listen to them on Tuesday and we were blown away how amazing there were, and I did my research, traveling around from this place and that and I found a GEM!.. You will be blown away by them!!

Good Luck!
.. and I'm sure what ever you choose will be perfect!

shelzyp Posted: Nov 06, 2003 04:13 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

A great DJ that my friend used was Ralph from High Energy Entertainment. I used Spin Around SOund and they were great.

FLowers - we found it to be the cheapest at Burton's.

Dress - I found my dress elsewhere, but they gave me a much lower price, and it included the headpiece and veil.

Photos - VIP, for what I wanted I found them to be a good price, and they use 2 photographers, one protrait and one photojournalistic.

BillysBride Posted: Nov 06, 2003 04:16 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

Rachel,

If you want info on my DJ FM me. He is a family friend and has been a Dj forever. He works through a company, but he can be hired on his own. I'm sure he can work within your budget and you'll get 110% from his work.
I went with Flowerden in Brooklyn, they're work is beautiful and their prices can't be beat! Let me know if you need more information. Good luck!

btrflygrl Posted: Nov 06, 2003 04:21 PM

Re: Help cut costs!!

I'm paying less than $1,000 for DJ
PIcs are $3500, broken down as follows:
$3500 minimum pkg...$1500 for services and the rest of the money can be applied to whatever we want: album, enlargements, Thank You's, etc. they just did the e-shoot and it was amazing, we are so happy with the pics!

FM me if you want advice, we are keeping everything very tight also!!