I am really surprised that there’s know similar thread (that I know of) so I thought I would start one. Many of us can not afford to spend 20K (or are unwilling too) on a wedding, as much as we would like. So we need to get create and help each other out! What are some of the things you are doing?
1. Flowers. Consider going to a local florist rather than using a more “wedding related” type florist. Not only is support you little local store a great idea but you can save money as well! I found a local florist in Glendale, Queens where my tulip bo-k will be under $100 and the bridal bo-ks will be under $40! I am using candles instead of flowers for RH tables, which is a big savings. And because I am getting married during Lent my church does not allow flowers inside the church during this time. But I think I would have decided against flowers in the church anyway.
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.
That’s all I have to offer right now. Can’t wait to share ideas!!!!
Angel06
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
I told him that are budget was 1500 and we would sign on the spot if he would agree.
eternitybride
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
One thing we are thinking of to help with budget is, if we really needed CH musicians, calling Hofstra or Five Towns College or any school with a music department. I know at the University of Miami the music students needed performance credits through out the year, and it was more affordable to get a 3 piece group through them.
So we wanted to call the colleges to see how much they would be for ceremony or cocktail hour
Novia09
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
Posted by NY2009
Posted by vicandbarbara09
I am sadly also not having a videographer.
Neither am I, so don't feel bad! I would love to have one but really can't afford one!
How much are you guys looking to spend on video?? I'm looking into a few places with GREAT deals and some will even work with you to pay half upfront and half AFTER the wedding...
poohandpea
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
I saved a TON of money by having a brunch instead of a dinner. We're only paying $55++ a head and we are getting so much food. Things like omlet stations, carved meats, and a huge dessert table are all included. We're getting married at Giorgio's in Baiting Hollow. The ceremony fee was only $400. The flowers are so beautiful in the garden that you don't need to add more. Nearby hotels offer free shuttle service and valet parking at Giorgio's is free. They have a beautiful baby grand piano that they are going to put in the room for us and we're hiring a player for $400. But they also said that they could play our cd's on their sound system if we wanted. We're getting ready at the RH so no need for limos.
I also negotiated with vendors. My photog worked with me and I saved $1000. A friend is marrying us so no fees to pay there...and it will be so special to have her marry us! I found invites on weddingpaperdivas.com that are beautiful and not expensive. We're using a post card RSVP instead of a card and envelope (less to buy and less postage!)
And of course the best cost saving resource....all the LIweddings ladies!!!
sharivera
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
We cut out all the 'extras'.... no programs.. no menus (the hall already has them) .. no aisle runner (getting married at the hall) These were things that Ithought to myself.. will my wedding be any less special if I don't have them??? if my answer was no, we didn't need it...you'd be surprised how all those 'little things' really add up!!!
ambersmom
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
Posted by EsquireBride
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.
Right there with you. I'm a 2nd time bride and the video is so much more important to me than the pictures. Because I can see my Grandma in living color and let my daughter see her talking, etc. My fiance wants me to ditch my old video and I say 'NO WAY'. It means more to me for it's content than what the marriage meant, kwim??
AngeeM
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
Posted by NYYankeeGirl72
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
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.
We are doing monthly payments also. I think doing it that way is much better for us at least. It doesn't feel so bad when you break it down month by month. And I just deduct it from my paycheck right away.
Nina1010
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
I agree that video is very important. I wish I had some video with my mom on it. I lost her way too soon and my niece and nephews were too young to really remember her.
jeswedding
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
Posted by NY2009
Posted by vicandbarbara09
I am sadly also not having a videographer.
Neither am I, so don't feel bad! I would love to have one but really can't afford one!
i would rather have a photographer! and you can always frame your speeches, and vows later
jrdenny
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
Posted by valthom426
So glad to see all your posts, all this spending does get to be a bit much. Another option for flowers, if you have great family and friends support on the day of, order flowers yourself from a site like fiftyflowers.com and do it yourself. They will walk you through the process of choosing flowers, ordering, delivery and caring for them.
Since I decided on only wearing my veil during the ceremony, I opted for a beautiful but simple, double tiered $15 veil from a vendor on Etsy.com.
I am using my future MIL's veil - from her 2004 vow renewals -- its cheap and sentimental.
drivwal
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
Wow this is an older thread but that's ok...I guess for anyone who is still looking for some ideas on how to save on their wedding here's what I am doing:
1. My guest list will prob be arount 130 so keeping is smaller was the way to go for me to save at the RH. 2. I didn't add anything on at the RH 3. I chose a RH that isn't as common and off of a main road but it fit in our budget and they were all very friendly. 4. No limos. My ceremony is at the RH so I don't really need them. 5. My photographer is awesome and photojournalistic but he doesn't charge an arm and a leg for great pics and full day coverage. I am getting All my proofs on a cd, a couple of prints, engagement shoot, photos on a website, two photographers, a guarantee of 1,000 pics, and thank you cards for under $2,500. With three digital albums under $3,000. 6. My videographer is a freelance videographer/editor from NYC. He's awesome but because he's freelance, he isn't as expensive as most wedding videographers. I am getting three to five edited dvds with chapters, all day coverage for under $1,000. 7. Using my local hair salon for my hair. 8. Having a friend who is a graphic design artist do my invitations. She's making me custom made invites for $150. 9. Bought my toasting flutes at Home goods haha they are turkish crystal and they are really pretty. They were like $4.00 each. 10. Bought my card holder at Save on crafts.com They are awesome and it was like $12. 11. Guest sign in book: $10 at hallmark on sale 12. My gown was purchased at Davids Bridal. I LOOOVE it to death and it was only $600. My veil was purchased there too and it was like $100. 13. My shoes are normal bridal shoes that I will get dyed for free at the store I bought them. $70. 14. Using more candles in my centerpieces. 15. Carnations are inexpensive and grouped tightly together in a bouquet they are beautiful. 16. Cake topper I bought from Fenton Glass in Ohio clearance @$25 for two amber love birds. 17. Borrowing my moms jewelry for day of. 18. Using my dad's friend who DJ's on the side as our DJ. (giving us a great deal for $1,000.) That's all I have so far. Just wanted to help people out a little if they need any budget advice. FM me if you want to know more about some vendors.
Soon2bShea
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
Sounds like you got a lot of great deals!
drivwal
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
I def tried haha. I forgot to add that my wedding band was purchased at Kohls on Black Friday last year so I got it on super sale for $88.
Soon2bShea
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
Thats a GREAT idea!
drivwal
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
Thanks! I was set on buying the rings on a holiday where there were lots of sales so I went to Kohls on Black Friday and got the deal. I also bought FH's ring at Smithaven Mall that day too but he wanted Tungsten and they are pretty inexpensive anyway so he got what he wanted for $150. So the rings cost us like $238...something like that.
Im getting Married
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
I forgot about this thread..I saw invites on sale at Walmart..simple white one 40 for $9 I was gonna get them but FH wasn't there and really wanted to see them 1st
Hopefully, when I go back they will have more
I'm always looking for sales...and will be at garage sales with my mom this summer..like baskets for the FG
gonzalezm3
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
Another great website for favor accessories that has great prices is: efavormart
gonzalezm3
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
Posted by vicandbarbara09
Posted by emc282rjm
We are not getting a videographer either. Instead, we are putting those disposable video cameras (you can get them at Duane Reade for like $15 on each table. We are having a film school friend videotape the ceremony!
Wow they make disposible VIDEO cameras? That's a great idea ...I am looking into that now Thanks for the idea!!!
beware of this! because of the poor quality of table cameras, the photos may not come out right or at all - they may be dark and you may get some bad photos. some guests will even take them home! plus at the end, developing the photos (even on a CD) for 30+ cameras can be extremely expensive!
gonzalezm3
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
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?
who is your DJ?
consulgirl
Posted:
Member since
Re: Official Brides on a BUDGET thread!
Posted by kat124
Ladies, not to rain on your parade, but videography is so important.
ITA!!!
IMHO
I almost didn't get a video myself because the photography budget had become so costly.
Even though I have a beautiful photo album, I really felt like I got to experience the wedding by watching the video. I had missed the CH at the wedding, but by watching the video I was able to get an idea of how the CH was, and what the food looked like. My daughter likes to watch the dancing at the wedding.
If u want some video, maybe a friend would be happy to film the wedding for you as a gift. We watch the video way more than we go through the album.
Favors - yes
Limo - yes
Veil - yes
Jewelry - yes DOJ is often overshadowed by the glowing bride and wedding dress.
