How to have a beautiful wedding on a budget!!

Any past brides have any advice on how to do this?

From choosing a hall to the photo, dj and everything else!!!


We all want a beautiful wedding that is not going to break the bank!! So any past brides have a way of saving on things and still making it beautiful let me know!!

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Posted by soontobmrshammer

Any past brides have any advice on how to do this?

From choosing a hall to the photo, dj and everything else!!!


We all want a beautiful wedding that is not going to break the bank!! So any past brides have a way of saving on things and still making it beautiful let me know!!

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Great post! I'm curious about this myself!

well i'm not a past bride, but we are having a budget wedding.

Here are some of the things we are doing to cut costs:
No photog: we are having a family friend who is hand with a camera take pictures.

DIY Invites: I really love pocket invites and they are expensive so we are getting ours from Michaels and DIY

Winter Wedding: RH prices are way cheaper in the winter

Limos: we aren't going crazy, 1 limo for everyone. No classic cars or anything like that. Also if you are getting married at the hall you can cut out limos all together.

DJ: FM Entertainment is giving us everything we want and well within our Budget.

Favors: We were going to scrap these all together, but my mom offered to pay.

Smaller Guest List: not everyone in the world needs to be there. We don't really care if we offend people. Only our closest friends and family will be there.

Good advice!

Um... the knot has a lot of these articles!

I agree, DIY as much as you can! We are saving a ton on DIY invitations. I'm also playing with the idea of cutting out flowers and doing DIY bouquets and centerpieces but we'll see how that goes.

For the vendors I would say just a ton of research...if you look hard youll be able to find some within your budget. Also, think outside the box in that area. I've found that vendors (photographers and bands) that don't solely cater to the wedding industry (though they do have experience with weddings) tend to be way cheaper. If youd like to share what you had in mind as a budget for catering hall, photographers, etc. people may be able to give you more specific recommendations.

Good luck!

I think I'm going to cut costs this way:

Limos - Only one...I really dont need to be dropped off in a fancy car...someone can bring me in their own car, i really dont care haha. No one sees you anyway.

DJ - I am probably going to the local colleges and finding someone from there. Anyone can play music, its as simple as pushing a button on a computer. Obv I want to hear them first!!

Flowers - I think we are going to do fake flowers. I feel like doing the real flowers is such a waste of money and you can find silk flowers that are SO beautful and no one can tell the difference!!

aside from DIY centerpieces, you could look into any place that offers floral classes and see if they would be willing to have a class make your centerpieces and all you pay for are the materials and maybe a minimal fee. There are also flowers sold in bulk from proflowers that may save you money (although i do not know what a local florist would charge so i would do some comparisons)

You can also look on craigslist for a photographer. To me photog is important. but you can find someone who is studying photography or whose hobby it is and see if they would do a wedding...they would be less expensive bc they are looking to build a portfolio. Then you can upload their images to a photo site (Shutterfly, kodakgallery, etc) and order prints and stuff.

good luck

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Posted by LindyBride22

For the vendors I would say just a ton of research...if you look hard youll be able to find some within your budget. Also, think outside the box in that area. I've found that vendors (photographers and bands) that don't solely cater to the wedding industry (though they do have experience with weddings) tend to be way cheaper. If youd like to share what you had in mind as a budget for catering hall, photographers, etc. people may be able to give you more specific recommendations.

Good luck!

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I completely agree with you. I was able to find a really amazing DJ- that was actually cheaper then a 'wedding DJ' (he does the clubs in nyc).

Also, decided how you want to spend your budget (every penny of it)...the little extras can really add up (are flip flip baskets nice? yes. but do you have to have them? no.)

budget?? oh.... that went out the window months ago

I'm a bride on a serious budget and here's my advice from my planning so far:
1. DIY can be cost efficient but it can also be hard work. Make sure you are up to it and remember, you have bridesmaids who can help you.
2. Know what you want and try to not 'keep up with the jones'. Your wedding doesn't have to be over the top, it is a wedding. Don't worry if you cannot afford a 'hollywood premiere party' wedding, most of us can't. (by the way, most celebrities have the most beautiful intimate weddings i would check out pics for inspiration)
3. Choose your vendors wisely. If you want nice pics but you cannot afford to do albums, make sure you make this clear from the start and hire a photographer that give you copyrights to your pics, that way you can make your own albums on the many many album making websites.
4. You don't need video but if you don't have it, you may regret it. That was my sisters advice so I made sure to get a videographer. Nothing too fancy, because I can't afford movie-like video, but it will be edited and I will have a video of my day.
5. Flowers everywhere is just too expensive for me. THe less flowers, the smaller the decor bill and that is what I am sticking to in order to stay in budget.
Budget wedding doesn't have to look cheap. Just get creative and utilize the internet, there's inspiration everywhere!

I agree with the research! I am totally doing this on a budget.

1) Sat day weddings are cheaper than evenings

2) I booked a package for my DJ, limo,flowers, tux, photo and video through the wedding plaza - all for around 5K

3) check out Davids Bridal for dresses- They have beautiful dresses at a fraction of the cost of the big stores.

4) I got regular invitations- no pocktefolds. Pocketfolds are alot more expensive and cost more to mail.

5) I am not doing bathroom baskets or slipper baskets


Those were my big budget items. But definately do your research. Dont jump into things.

So far my grandmother is buying my dress and my mom is taking care of the headpiece, veil and jewelry among other things..


I have a pretty big bridal party so i may just have a party bus for them since that seems to be the cheapest way.


We have our hall already- booked on a fri night in Nov to save money


Our Dj we are prob using the same one we used for our engagement party who owes us money from a little issue we had with them. I will not disclose the name...



Not sure what else...

Oooh, I have a thread in my notebook about this....

here!

*Negotiated my RH w/low minimum

*DIY invites

*DIY cardbox, menus, programs, photo share cards, bathroom baskets

*No crazy RH upgrades, or vendor upgrades

*One limo party bus for BP

*Bought dress at sample sale w/trunk show discount

*Won my photo package

*Budget videographer

*Low CPs/possibly non-floral

RH:
Chose an off season, or choose a day wedding over the evening, or a Fri/ Sunday wedding. Also look for RH's with packages where a lot is inluded (lines, table cards, cake, chair sashes, beautiful decor for photo opts)

Photo/ Video:
Choose the most basice photo package that just comes with the CD and make your own albums to cut costs. You can also choose the most basic video package.

Flowers:
Low CP rather than high ones or vases that have floating flowers will definitely be less expensive. Some people just do candles.

Limo:
You can choose to skip them all together if your getting married at the hall or get one that you and entire BP can go on and just do a pick up/drop off option unless you need it for pics. Definietyl negotiate with this one.

DJ:
You can get the most basic package or only get a package with a DJ (no MC)

Favors:
Theres a million website that you can find cute favors for $2 or less or you can skip them all together. All just depends on what you want

Good Luck!!!

Puchase this book:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/bridalbargains/news.html

It is the most amazing book. It is helping me sooooooo much. I am on a tight budget.

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Posted by kristiesclafani

Puchase this book:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/bridalbargains/news.html

It is the most amazing book. It is helping me sooooooo much. I am on a tight budget.

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My mom actually bought it for me - i think alot of it is for wedding so outside ny though. I started reading it but not the whole way through ..Maybe i should!!

Not sure if you booked a RH yet but we are on a very tight budget as well. We booked with Marconi Manor in Islip (I've been working with Wendi and she's been terrific). They're food is fantastic and they have 3 all inclusive packages to choose from. We went for the lowest package and are still getting everything we wanted. The only thing I had to add on to was the limo (the package only provide 1- 6 passenger and I needed a 10 pass, and the DJ didn't include lights and an MC) We're only inviting 75 guests and having a small bridal party. Invitations and flowers were also included in the package so I didn't have to seek DIY options.
My mom paid for my dress and accessories from David's Bridal.
I got flip flops for my girls from Old navy (They have every color and they are 2 for $5)
I got them cute tote bags from LTDcommodities.com for $5 each.
Favors my mom is also paying for but check out exclusivelyweddings.com they offer free shipping or 15% on most orders.
Good luck and happy planning!

so far I found doing research helps :)

also although vendors & reception halls may seem rigid in their prices don't be discouraged into negotiating a lower price. You'd be surprised how many vendors would be willing to ensure your business even if it means they have to cut down price.

Lastly from experience, when people ask you our budget be as vague as possible..meaning don't give a number if you set a price..they will easily make sure their services cost that much even if it really didn't

IE when you go to buy a car..seller is gonna start with MSRP

and if you give them a range ohh '10-15' they'll make sure you spend the 15.