Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!

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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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Check out saveoncrafts . com before buying anything from Michaels. I found this website to have more of a selection at a better price than Michaels.

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Posted by snadra

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/

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go to wrapwithus . com and you can get disposable cameras for $2.99 if you want them

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Posted by snadra

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/

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This is awesome!!! Great find!!!

My ways of saving money:
I am having a Sat afternoon wedding instead of evening

Having a buffet instead of a sit down.

I got our Wedding bands from Amazon. Mine was a clearence item for $99 and its beautiful (check out the pics in my album)

Got a package plan through The wedding plaza that fit our budget (they work within your budget)

I am making my own unity candle

So far thats all I have done, but when I do more I will post

We've also opted out of not having car service or limos day of especially since the ceremony will be at the RH.

I also chose to use a family friend to bake our wedding cakes. Yes, cakes. We will have an 8 inch cake at each table and then a small triple tier to us to cut. All very simple white design and our florist will provide flowers to go on each. This has cut our cake cost less than half!

Paper wise, I found Nashville Wraps most affordable with items for gifts and OOT bags.

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Posted by valthom426

I also chose to use a family friend to bake our wedding cakes. Yes, cakes. We will have an 8 inch cake at each table and then a small triple tier to us to cut. All very simple white design and our florist will provide flowers to go on each. This has cut our cake cost less than half!

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I LOVE this idea!!!!

Hi ladies!!

I am having a small wedding of about 75-85 ppl. I have so far calculated the estimated prices for the major vendors based on prices I have been quoted. Here is the breakdown.

RH - $6,650 based on 75 min with Service charge & tax.

Church - $725 includes Offering & Music Director

DJ - $1565 includes Gratuity; includes DJ/MC, intelligent lighting (2 lamps), 4 kinetics LED uplighting, and 5 hours of music.

Florist - $1100 estimate only based on conversation...seeing florist today to get actual price. Flowers include roses, orchids, hydrageneas, etc ( No carnations!!) This is for 10 tables, flowers for bridal party have 3 bridesmaid and one BM.

Limo - this is an estimated price $540 includes gratuity. Only using 1 rolls royce that will take parents and me to church and then take FH and I to reception. Rest of the bridal party will drive their own cars.

Photography - $1500 estimated amt based on pricing I have gotten. Also I won $100 off package, so originally it would cost about $1600. It includes the following:

8 hours coverage
-a DVD of 4x6 proofs edited as needed, of all images
-*online hosting with ordering capabilities on a password protected site
-*1 enlargement up to 20'x30'
-*100 flat (one-sided) thank you cards, or 100 wallet sized photos (your choice of photo)
-$150 print credit toward album order

That puts me around 12K. I think that is pretty good considering I am not sacrificing that much. I am getting most of the things I want. What do you all think?

Wow Super Twin. Those are really great prices! I think you are going to have a lovely wedding! I haven't really put any of my prices and what I'm spending to pen yet I'm kinda scared

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Posted by NYYankeeGirl72

Hi ladies!!

I am having a small wedding of about 75-85 ppl. I have so far calculated the estimated prices for the major vendors based on prices I have been quoted. Here is the breakdown.

RH - $6,650 based on 75 min with Service charge & tax.

Church - $725 includes Offering & Music Director

DJ - $1565 includes Gratuity; includes DJ/MC, intelligent lighting (2 lamps), 4 kinetics LED uplighting, and 5 hours of music.

Florist - $1100 estimate only based on conversation...seeing florist today to get actual price. Flowers include roses, orchids, hydrageneas, etc ( No carnations!!) This is for 10 tables, flowers for bridal party have 3 bridesmaid and one BM.

Limo - this is an estimated price $540 includes gratuity. Only using 1 rolls royce that will take parents and me to church and then take FH and I to reception. Rest of the bridal party will drive their own cars.

Photography - $1500 estimated amt based on pricing I have gotten. Also I won $100 off package, so originally it would cost about $1600. It includes the following:

8 hours coverage
-a DVD of 4x6 proofs edited as needed, of all images
-*online hosting with ordering capabilities on a password protected site
-*1 enlargement up to 20'x30'
-*100 flat (one-sided) thank you cards, or 100 wallet sized photos (your choice of photo)
-$150 print credit toward album order

That puts me around 12K. I think that is pretty good considering I am not sacrificing that much. I am getting most of the things I want. What do you all think?

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I think you are doing good! If you really need to, you can still cut it more.

Flowers: Use candles for centerpieces. Much cheaper!!!!! Also, go to a local florist rather then a wedding florist. Again, much cheaper!

Church: Speak to your priest about your budget. I did with ours and he brought the price down for us.

Limos: Good for you for just getting a car for you and FH!

Photos: I am getting all day coverage and all my proofs with copywrite to do my own printing, works out cheaper.

Don't forget all the little extras: favors, dress & lingerie, veil, shoes, jewelry, bridal party gifts, hair, make-up, pocketbook, marriage license fee, rehearsal dinner... it adds up!

I think my grand total is just at $10K now. With 12 days to go, i think we are just about done spending! (I hope! LOL!)

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Posted by NY2009


I think you are doing good! If you really need to, you can still cut it more.

Flowers: Use candles for centerpieces. Much cheaper!!!!! Also, go to a local florist rather then a wedding florist. Again, much cheaper!

Church: Speak to your priest about your budget. I did with ours and he brought the price down for us.

Limos: Good for you for just getting a car for you and FH!

Photos: I am getting all day coverage and all my proofs with copywrite to do my own printing, works out cheaper.

Don't forget all the little extras: favors, dress & lingerie, veil, shoes, jewelry, bridal party gifts, hair, make-up, pocketbook, marriage license fee, rehearsal dinner... it adds up!

I think my grand total is just at $10K now. With 12 days to go, i think we are just about done spending! (I hope! LOL!)

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OMG 12 days!!! I wish you all the best!!!


I totally agree on the candle centerpieces. I was going to do them, but in all honesty I found out that my DIY creative ways are very limited. And I thought if the centerpieces are not too expensive, I may just give in and have someone else do them for me. Well, lo and behold, I went to see one florist, who works out of her home, today who came in a bit more than my original Pedestal quote. Pedestals called me today and reduced their quote by $300, bringing it down to $1100.

In regards to a local florist, i went to one in Franklin Square and they quoted me about $1280, and this did not include all the flowers i wanted, and no candles for the tables, and no arrangement for the dais. Pedestals included votives, petals on all tables and a waterfall arrangement for the dais free of charge.

I know I don't want to think about all the other stuff, but most of it is for me. I am on my own for that. FH and I are only sharing the major items.

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Posted by AngeeM

Wow Super Twin. Those are really great prices! I think you are going to have a lovely wedding! I haven't really put any of my prices and what I'm spending to pen yet I'm kinda scared

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Well my dear Super Twin..get yourself in gear. Believe me the quicker you get it down on paper, the better you will have what you are spending in your head. Total wise it is scary but if you break it down by month, you will realize that it isn't that bad.

Are you doing the two 25% payments to SC. FH and I are going to do monthly payments. Jordana said if we did that they would not hound us for money since there will activity on our account.

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Posted by NY2009

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Posted by NYYankeeGirl72

Hi ladies!!

I am having a small wedding of about 75-85 ppl. I have so far calculated the estimated prices for the major vendors based on prices I have been quoted. Here is the breakdown.

RH - $6,650 based on 75 min with Service charge & tax.

Church - $725 includes Offering & Music Director

DJ - $1565 includes Gratuity; includes DJ/MC, intelligent lighting (2 lamps), 4 kinetics LED uplighting, and 5 hours of music.

Florist - $1100 estimate only based on conversation...seeing florist today to get actual price. Flowers include roses, orchids, hydrageneas, etc ( No carnations!!) This is for 10 tables, flowers for bridal party have 3 bridesmaid and one BM.

Limo - this is an estimated price $540 includes gratuity. Only using 1 rolls royce that will take parents and me to church and then take FH and I to reception. Rest of the bridal party will drive their own cars.

Photography - $1500 estimated amt based on pricing I have gotten. Also I won $100 off package, so originally it would cost about $1600. It includes the following:

8 hours coverage
-a DVD of 4x6 proofs edited as needed, of all images
-*online hosting with ordering capabilities on a password protected site
-*1 enlargement up to 20'x30'
-*100 flat (one-sided) thank you cards, or 100 wallet sized photos (your choice of photo)
-$150 print credit toward album order

That puts me around 12K. I think that is pretty good considering I am not sacrificing that much. I am getting most of the things I want. What do you all think?

---

I think you are doing good! If you really need to, you can still cut it more.

Flowers: Use candles for centerpieces. Much cheaper!!!!! Also, go to a local florist rather then a wedding florist. Again, much cheaper!

Church: Speak to your priest about your budget. I did with ours and he brought the price down for us.

Limos: Good for you for just getting a car for you and FH!

Photos: I am getting all day coverage and all my proofs with copywrite to do my own printing, works out cheaper.

Don't forget all the little extras: favors, dress & lingerie, veil, shoes, jewelry, bridal party gifts, hair, make-up, pocketbook, marriage license fee, rehearsal dinner... it adds up!

I think my grand total is just at $10K now. With 12 days to go, i think we are just about done spending! (I hope! LOL!)

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That is an amazing price! How big is your wedding? Bridal party?

I had my wedding on June 21, 2008 which probably was not the greatest idea since it falls into summer as well as wedding season. Originally, my budget was set on 30K but we ended up spending over 40K due to an outdoor garden wedding that we had our hearts set on. From all the research that I've done and experience as a bride, there are a lot of things you can do to stick to your budget. This is of course, if you're willing to sacrifice certain things due to cost.
1. Great websites: Ebay & slickdeals.net for all of your wedding items (wedding gown, veil, toasting flutes, BM dresses, tux, etc.). The great thing about Ebay is being able to buy what you want without paying full price.
2. For all your wedding supplies with DIY (def get help, invites and program cards are not as simple as it looks) projects, go to Michael's, Pearl Paint, Arts & Crafts Stores, Staples, discount/wholesale for paper and supplies. Trick is to get rubber stamps or use templates (gorgeous designs and cheap) and use your printer. MS Word & PhotoShop makes everything easier these days.
3. Shop at department stores like Century 21 Dept, Daffy's, discount stores (Dollar Tree, 99 cents Stores, etc.) for your wedding to cut down the cost. A lot of these stores have great clearance/discount that you won't find anywhere else. Do research and compare prices. You'll be amazed by all of the stuff you can find. 4. Go to Shop Rite, Stop & Shop, Pathmark, etc. for your floral needs, they charge way less than florists and a lot of the floral arrangements were incredible as well as the prices. *Your guests won't be able to tell you went to a supermarket for your flowers*
5. If you go with a reception/ceremony venue such as : city owned gardens/parks, catering hall, restaurant, lofts, beach...you'll save so much on your wedding. Restaurants and catering halls throws packages that includes almost everything from liquor, food, linens to your wedding cake as well as discounts. City owned parks, beaches or lofts are great if you like to plan out your wedding and hire your own caterers, waitstaff, rentals..can be a bit pricey depending on your connections and wedding size. Do not pick expensive venues and shop around, compare prices and get a price adjustment. Most places will do it if they are eager to get your business.
6. Again, wedding size is really important, if you have 100 guests it can get very expensive, if you cut down to 50-60 guests, you'll be amazed by how much you can save. Don't invite friends of friends or have your cousin's gf/bf there, it just adds on to the expense of your wedding. Have your closest friends, relatives, and family. Try not to extend your invitation outside that circle in order to cut back cost.
7. Craigslist is a great network to find photographers, venues, wedding planners, officiants, everything you can possibly think of for your wedding. Some listings even offer free consultations for their portfolio as well as Huge Savings on photography and other services.
8. Look for places that are going out of business such as jewelry stores, clothing stores, shoe stores, etc. to get all the good stuff for a fraction of the price. Trust me, it helps a lot in this area. All the little things add up to the cost.
9. Photography & videography is important because these are only memories you have left of the wedding. Don't get any amateur photographers or videographers that have no experience with a camera or video camera. This is not one of those areas you want to cut down the cost if you want quality for your photos and videos to cherish and hold. You really have to go down to the studio and check out the person's work. Sometimes a great deal isn't what it appears or seems. Make sure the person is credible and they can actually take photos!
10. Great tip that I learned for catering is go with institutes or academy that charges a lot cheaper than cake designers or chefs from restaurants. You'll be able to negotiate on pricing and expect to get great quality on the food since the student receives careful supervision on their preparation and cooking. For example, the wedding cake is priced at a $5-$6/slice with cooking/baking schools compared to private cake designers that charges over $10/slice.

I've learned so much from planning my own wedding that I'm thinking of taking a course to become a certified wedding planner. Hopefully, if everything goes as planned, I might even be able to plan a wedding for a special person! :)

Great thread.... we can all use some of these ideas.

Thanks for sharing!

I have done centerpieces that double as a favor so at the end of the night you don't have to lug out those heavy flowers with water in the vase while drinking, lol. Not to meniton they are pretty and cost effective. We are using http://www.skidmarkpro.com/
for video, we are paying 800 for the whole night including church and reception, edding and the works with 3 dvds. We were recommend to him by are photographer. I believe his packages start at 375. FM me if you need more info, We were able to talk our dj down 600 dollars which im very happy about. I never knew you could negotiate with the church in regards to the ceramony donation.

Got him to knock off $600...how did you manage that? LOL

Great job.