How are you cutting your budget

amandamichael Posted: Feb 18, 2010 08:10 PM

How are you cutting your budget

im sitting here thinking that my fake budget and what i wanted to spend has pretty much gone out the window for everything except the dj

and with all little things to finish im wondering, will i save money anywhere haha

any secrets?
anything anyones cutting out or not doing or diy?
i need motiviation and ideas girls!

wiggleit28 Posted: Feb 18, 2010 08:13 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

It's great to share ideas about this! FH and I need to be very budget conscious as do many of us!

We are DIYing STDs and invites (which still costs money but a lot less than they would having them made). I would also like to make my own centerpieces and not have any flowers at the church. Also might not do a videographer.

Any other moneysaving ideas would be much appreciated!

Jessc4985 Posted: Feb 18, 2010 08:43 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

I am cutting out flower CP's.

xoabxo Posted: Feb 18, 2010 08:48 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

im not doing limos

jenn_eric Posted: Feb 18, 2010 09:02 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. Get money off, get extra services for the price....

Some of what we're doing:
~Skipping the flashy lights and tvs from the DJ (photo montages are nice, but let's face it, our guests don't need to look at pix of us, they have the real thing in front of them)
~Skipping the video....we'll never watch it an nobody else is going to want to
~Creative centerpiece fillers (we're using cranberries)

Misc. ideas:
~Use the bridesmaids bouquets to decorate the cake table
~Skip the fancy favors, and give things like lotto tickets or candy

FutureMrsDe Posted: Feb 18, 2010 09:23 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

Trying to get cheaper Limos like Lincolns for the BP

Not getting church flowers , making my own pew bows.

trying to get discounted favors

Danielle41209 Posted: Feb 18, 2010 09:31 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

We're actually thinking of changing the venue date and time of day.

I never realized how expensive some things are....

Thats-What-She-Said Posted: Feb 18, 2010 09:31 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

Posted by jenn_eric

Misc. ideas:
~Use the bridesmaids bouquets to decorate the cake table
~Skip the fancy favors, and give things like lotto tickets or candy

Love the lotto ticket idea!!!!!

We are having a family friend who is handy with a camera do the pictures

No video (honestly I think this is one of the biggest wedding rip offs. your only going to watch the video when you first get it, and maybe on anniversaries. )

We are having a winter wedding to save on reception hall costs.

HSsweethearts Posted: Feb 18, 2010 09:33 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

-I'm going to do no or minimal church decor. My church is so gorgeous. The flowers aren't necessary. I also feel like pew bows just get in the way.

-We are booking an inexpensive videographer

-Probably won't do a cardbox, or if I do, it will be a simple DIY. Not necessary

-No personalized napkins, stirrers, matches..no point

-No shamcny lighting. I really don't think most people notice.

-You can use one person as DJ and MC, especially if you have a smaller wedding

-You can order just the proofs or just the raw footage and pay for albums/edits later

-Sticking to house vendors can save you hundreds or thousands on feeding them

evita2781 Posted: Feb 18, 2010 10:11 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

I wish I knew - b/c FH and I are totally blowing our budget

two accountants that cant even handle their own budgets...

Tetelove Posted: Feb 18, 2010 10:17 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

Okay lets see...

DIY: Invitations, Programs and any other projects..

Flowers: Inexpensive Flowers

Limos: Any cheap but looks nice

MrandMrsP Posted: Feb 18, 2010 10:18 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

i cut it up tore it up and threw it out with last nights trash

I so wish I had stuck to my budget

mybabylovesmoi Posted: Feb 18, 2010 10:23 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

i plan to do diy as much as possible like invites, cardbox, centerpieces...
we may cut limo since ceremony and reception is in one place...
may cut out video and have one passed around. Im not a fan of the mushy edited ones.
no groomscake
no bride and groom presents

Did NOT cut on RH and photography.

NellieBellie32 Posted: Feb 18, 2010 10:33 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

yea i never actually made a budget for that reason.....so far its worked out pretty well, when the collection agency shows up to my wedding then ill know i overspent ahha

MrandMrsP Posted: Feb 18, 2010 10:57 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

Posted by FutureMrsDe

Trying to get cheaper Limos like Lincolns for the BP

Not getting church flowers , making my own pew bows.

trying to get discounted favors

My church flowers are coming with me to the RH and being placed in front of my sweetheart table
I am not having my table decorated I will reuse my church flowers

MrandMrsP Posted: Feb 18, 2010 10:57 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

Posted by NellieBellie32

yea i never actually made a budget for that reason.....so far its worked out pretty well, when the collection agency shows up to my wedding then ill know i overspent ahha

DITTO

AND SINCE MINE IS FIRST I WILL KEEP A SEAT WARM FOR YOU

ElovesJ117 Posted: Feb 18, 2010 11:48 PM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

I love the lotto ticket idea. A woman I know told me that she did lotto tickets for her wedding favor and attached something cute like you're one in a million. I can't remember the exact wording

catemac23 Posted: Feb 19, 2010 12:08 AM

Re: How are you cutting your budget

We're doing winter wedding, so initial costs are down. i found these greatttt candle/vasey type centerpieces- 240 including shipping and tax for 18 centerpieces!!! Definitely a cost saver...getting one mode of transportation for ushers and bridesmaids to take together to church and which we'll also get into...i have to say we did splurge and go with the video- if we're going to spend so much we want to have something to remember it by!! Wasn't bad that a veryyy close family friend bought the wedding dress...that always helps! It's tough...everything adds up!