Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!

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Posted by AdriandSteve


Imo i don't think having cameras on the tables is worth it anymore. Half the time you develop the cameras and most of hte pics are blank, not usable, or whatever. Enough people have digital cameras now so you could just ask them if they would mind putting their pics on a cd for u.

Much better quality

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I agree my sister had them and they were barley even used. Pics that were taken were not what she expected and the cost of them and then to develop them IMO is not worth it. Most people do have digitals and take their own pics now.

We were actually not going to do video at first and then we changed our minds -- here's why:

We are having a lot of relatives, both older and very young at the wedding. Pics are only going to capture so much, but how much would you pay to be able to see your grandma or grandpa, who may only have a few years left, alive and talking and dancing? I would pay a lot. If, the day after an elderly loved relative passed, I could pay $10,000 to get a video of them having a great time at my wedding and I could keep it forever, I would do it. So we decided to get video. We could have always asked some guest to take a home video, but do I want to trust my wedding to that? That is why we hire professionals. I also have some relatives that are too elderly to travel. They can't come to the wedding, but I can bring the wedding to them.

I did my own invites. I am using candle centerpieces. I went to my local florist and am getting my bouquet, 2 MOH, 5 BM, 8 bouts, 2 mother corsages and flower girl basket for $455. I did my own monogram caketopper. I am using my usual salon for my hair. My BM is doing my nails and a friend is doing my makeup(she's licensed makeup artist). I found a great photog who takes beautiful pics and I am paying $975 for 5 hrs of unlimited shooting. I am having the pics loaded on hi res dvd and will do my own albums. I am getting married at the RH so I will not be using any limos. I'm getting ready at their inn. Went to Burlington for FG dress $24.99 and Syms for RG suit $39.99. BP jewelry went to Entraa in NYC the whole store 50 percent off. Although it wasn't planned, even my dress was a steal at $865 incl tax. My alterations are capped at $225 so even if I hit the cap I would have only spent $1090.
So yes I am definitely a budget bride. LOL

PS. I got the favors at wrap with us. Really great with their prices.

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Posted by NY2009

2. For those getting having a Catholic Church wedding, you can ask for a reduced fee for your Pre-Cana; I had to call the Douglaston Pre-Cana office to do so. Otherwise is $195 per couple fee. And my Church is also willing to give me a reduced fee as well.

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I didn't know the PreCana was negotiable!!! Thanks for the idea!!

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Posted by lori7570

I didn't know the PreCana was negotiable!!! Thanks for the idea!!

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I failed to mention that once you speak to the Dougloston office you will need to submit to them a letter from your priest asking for the approval of the reduced fee. So speak to your priest first.

Our priest knows our financial situation well so he had no problem with it.

From www.pre-cana.org (for the Brooklyn Diocese, which also covers Queens).

[quote]What is the cost to attend the Diocesan Pre-Cana Program?

The Diocesan Pre-Cana program registration fee (for both sessions) is $195.00 per couple. This includes all the materials for both sessions, and continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday. There is a $25.00 cancellation fee and/or a $25.00 service fee for checks returned by your bank. Scholarships are available through our office for those in financial need. Please call us at 718-281-9540 in advance to make the appropriate arrangements.[/quote]

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Posted by NY2009

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Posted by Future Mrs H

Thats a great price for flowers. Can I ask what florist you used in Glendale?

I live in Glendale and if I can get a florist close to home with great prices I would rather do that.

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I am using Mc Kenna's Florist; 67-11 Central Ave, (718) 821-2714. I met with Diane last week and loved her; very understanding that I am on a budget.

I live in Middle Village but will be getting ready at my parent's house in Glendale (69th place between Central and Myrtle) so this is close enough where I can send my father to pick up the flowers and will not have to worry about delivery fees!

She also going to get me fresh rose petals for the tables. She quoted me at $5 per table, and will have me pick up the roses the day before for me to bring to Riccardo's. She said she has worked with Riccardo's before and that Riccardo's will peel the roses for me the day of so they are nice and fresh.

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I know McKenna's. they do very nice work. I think I will go check them out. Thank you

1. Use a local florist - The prices are significantly lower and they will deliver and setup for you. And don't forget to negotiatie!!

2. Determine if videography is a must have for YOU - I know a lot of girls say you MUST get it, but I'm not worring about it. My friends and family have told me that they'll be videotaping the ceremony and that's the only part I'd actually like to see!

3. Find simple yet beautiful invitations - I save an invitation I receive until the day of, then I toss it. Don't spend an arm and a leg on something that people will say, 'oh how pretty' and then toss it shortly thereafter. This is the site I used: www.theamericanwedding.com

4. Address the invitations yourself - Luckily I have nice handwriting so I'll be writing them out on my own. But, you can always print the envelopes or labels yourself to save money.

5. Hair & Makeup - If you know how to do it, then do it yourself!

My FH and I are paying for the entire wedding except for help with craft projects that our mothers are paying for some supplies for what they are doing..
Luckily enough I have very creative family members!

We have time but the main top 10 things we have done/ or are doing so far are....

1) Doing all of our own stationary. Paper from Cards and Pockets during a sale, stamps and embossing supplies from various craft stores, printing from our printer ( cost 1/3rd the price if we bought all the stationary all ready done)

2) Used vista print for our STD's 100 business card size magnets printed that we designed in photoshop - w/ shipping, handling, upload fee etc... $35 onsale.
They also do printing of labels and invites if you want to look into it.

Also, for like $10 Vista print can make you a rubber stamp for you address labels which would be cheaper than buying a ton to return address labels for all your envelopes (depending on number of guests)

3)My MIL is hand painting wine glasses as favors

4)My MIL/Mother will be doing as many of the flowers as they can. (Having issues with the reception hall over who can do my centerpieces)

5) Keep an eye out for anything you may need regardless of what store you are in.. I got some things way early, but it saved $$ for example we bought the bubbles for the reception on clearance in the craft store. ($10 total) and will decorate with ribbon (but not personalized ribon.. who will care?) My mother is gonna dress up a wicker basket to hold them in. That is like 1/4 of the price of what they would have cost if I had to get bubbles not on sale at a later date.

6) If doing craft projects, always buy the newspaper (Newsday is what we get) on Sunday to get the Craft store coupons and purchase items with those. Also look online for discounts and other deals...but be careful sometimes shipping charges make things much more expensive.

7)No viatineese hour - even though all my other family memeber did it.. you have to add per person for dessert which they will be stuffed anyways, and then pay all the vendors too.

8) I booked with vendors so far that do not require me to pay for their meal at the wedding and negotiated what we wanted before we signed the contract
(we aren't really skimping on music and photo though)
Get everything in writing.

9)Purchased BM's jewerly from Overstock.com on clearance (>40 per person for necklaces and earings)

10) paying for items w/my credit card to get cash back and then paying off the bill in full to the best of our ability

Hope this helps at least one person to save a few $$'s

OMG!! I didn't know this thread exsisted!!!!!!!!!!!! It is almost a perfect thread...

I really need the suggestions.. I will get any florist in Queens info and visit soon..

I have a lot to do but with a limited budget..
Keep posting.. I will also post as I get more things going..

I ordered my STD magnets from Ebay..

You can consider renting your dress. I know a place in Brooklyn that does this.

Fancy Wedding Center
Brooklyn, NY (Bay Parkway)
www.fancyweddingcenter.com

6604 Bay Pkwy
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11204
718-234-3442

Hi all,

My biggest advice is to think outside the box to not use typical wedding vendors. I prefer to use independent vendors anyway, rather than big companies. We have found a lot of vendors on craigslist. Just ask for references. Also negotiate with everything!

Another tip - get EVERYTHING in writing (this should be true no matter whether you are on a budget or not, but for some reason girls on a budget, who use the smaller vendors, might not get a contract). Make sure your contract describes the services you are to receive for the money you are paying. What happens if you need to cancel? Etc.

If someone doesn't want to give you a contract, please don't book them.

How are my budget brides doing?

AmericanBridal.com is having a deal on bridal tote bags for $5!!!! I just snagged some for my bridal party. And since I was getting my favors there as well, I didn't have to pay for shipping!

something that may help those who are conflicted with whether or not to get a video.... why not asking someone - either in the family who will not mind or ask around to different friends of friends - who is very much into video production stuff and have them be your 'videoagrapher' for the day with a regular video camera?!

this is what we did... my cousin (whos 17) really likes doing all tha stuff and volunteered to video the whole ceremony and reception for us (we insisted that he just relax and have fun, but he REALLY wanted to do it) so we said sure!

my BFF is editing and burning it onto a CD for us.... we really didnt care either way b/c we never wanted a video.... but i figured i'd put it out there b/c its something that we did and it could def save $$!

even if you have a friend of a friend or whoever videotape it for you and you end up throwing them some cash for it, it wont be NEARLY as expensive as a professional!

HTH

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Posted by vicandbarbara09

I am also using candles for my tables at the RH. I am making them myself and getting all the supplies from Michael's.We are making our own CD's with our fav songs on it as the favor. My MOH is making my invites,programs, CD jackets and menu cards. All I have to pay for are the supplies.
I am using roses for all my bo-k I'm hearing that is the cheapest .

I am sadly also not having a videographer.

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Barbara, Donna is having a family member do their video. Mary MOB

I thought about using disposable cameras but they are so expensive and everyone has digital cameras these days that they use anyway. I am going to do the shared gallery thing where everybody uploads their pics to one place. I'm going to make little cards with the info. I just found this site today that has the cutest little camera shaped boxes to hold the cards! Ohmygod I love them!

http://www.chicaandjo.com/2009/03/05/photo-sharing-after-wedding-or-big-event/

-Having my wedding on a sunday afternoon saved us tons of money!
-Bought FH a silver band for the ceremony because he will never wear it.
-Having 1 limo drop the guys off then come and get the girls.
-Got my dress at Davids Bridal
-Used Vistaprint.com for STD's