Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

jantany26 Posted: Nov 17, 2004 03:25 PM

Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

Let's see since i have such a tiny budget for my renewal, these are the things that i will be doing. I will attempt to do my own flowers, invitations, i will have a small guess list, I will have it either on a sunday in august or monday the third of july, depending on which is cheaper. I won't have limos, I'm only having a matron of honor and a bridesmaid. I guess that is pretty much it. I believe i'm getting a steal for shoes, accesories on ebay.
My dream dress since i can't afford the retail price, I hope i find a sample. We will be splurging on photographer and the reception itself even thought with 5000 for the whole thing is not a lot you can get but I'm determined to make this happen, inexpensively but elegant.

chicagogal Posted: Nov 17, 2004 03:32 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

My dress cost $180 (ebay!)
My invites were my big slpurge. I can't believe I spent that amount of money but one I saw them I couldn't think of anything else.

leighdvm Posted: Nov 17, 2004 03:33 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

have you looked at netbride.com?? All you need is your dress # and they give you a quote WAYYYYY less than retail.

I'm trying to scrimp whenever I can. My splurge was Tommy's Tunes (I opted for an upgraded package, complete with cocktail hour singer).

jantany26 Posted: Nov 17, 2004 03:38 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

I did look at netbride and pretty much every discounter on the web but is a reem acra so they don't find those for you unless is a sample so I'm keeping my eye open for sample sales.

CaCRmr Posted: Nov 17, 2004 03:42 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

We did our own programs which was a big help with cost (especially towards the end). We decided in the beginning that whatever our wedding bands cost we would pay. We were not going to be 'skimpy' on those because they mean the most.

nferrandi Posted: Nov 17, 2004 03:54 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

Our biggest splurge was the hall itself.
My best steal was booking Duet before their prices went up.

Some other good deals were my headpiece on sale for $30 and my veil off ebay for $10. I made my own rose petal cones and cry packs. My friend did everyone's makeup for free (I bought her a gift). Cut some corners on my flower budget (but I regret that.)

bluesashbride Posted: Nov 17, 2004 03:57 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

photographer (ridiculously expensive but i love her work), invites and the reception are the big costs.

we cut costs by not needing transportation(using a plain rental car for a get-away car), not having a videographer (not a big deal for us-friends will be taping it), having my GF do my make-up and any BMs who want her to for free (I'll give her a gift), my stepmom making favors, my grandma making pew bows, brother-in-law has a band so we pay for just them, centerpieces (discount and faux from coldwater creek where my stepmom works) making our STD's, frank's wearing his uniform so no tux rental, and having simple wedding bands. oh the calligrapher is a friend, so that's cheaper...helps to find the talents of family and friends and tap into them. they feel involved, your wedding seems a little more personal, and its usually less expensive.

we just talked about what we wanted to spend money on and what we would sacrifice.

JimmysBride Posted: Nov 17, 2004 03:59 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

Our biggest splurge was our HM in Bora Bora and it was worth every penny!

And I'm in the same boat as nferrandi -- the best steal I got was booking Duet before their prices went up.

I also had my MIL make my pew bows and I made my own programs & menus. Our wedding bands were very reasonable, & our DJ was a great deal at $1400.

Empire State Posted: Nov 17, 2004 04:08 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

our splurges were the hall and the band. In terms of cutting costs my FMIL is doign all of our centerpieces and I'm doing the menus myself.

t Posted: Nov 17, 2004 04:14 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

Jantany26 I sent you some forum mail

m&m Posted: Nov 17, 2004 04:15 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

We're splurging on the photo/video, and trying to save on other areas like flowers and hoping to save on the dress as well.

Jan05Bride Posted: Nov 17, 2004 04:16 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

Splurge:
* Eve of Milady Dress from Kleinfeld's
* African Safari Honeymoon

Steal:
* Svoarwski Tiara I got for 75% of at Bloomindales
* Shoes I found at Craft Shoes in Comack
* Duet Photography
* Blocking rooms at Wingate Inn
* Inkspun Laser Calligraphy

ladybug78 Posted: Nov 17, 2004 04:32 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

Hi...I am getting married the day after Thanksgiving...a Friday afternoon and got an awesome deal at East WInd!! I also am not doing floral centerpieces...I wanted to be different and I love Lenox so I went to the Lenox outlet in Riverhead and bought beautiful lamps that have a candle in them for only $23 each and the regular price was $60!! I am using the florist that East Wind recommends because they gave me a coupon for $100 off...they are definitely ways to cut costs...You just need to be creative!!!

ckgmwedding Posted: Nov 17, 2004 05:03 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

Splurge-
high quality 10 piece band- both FH and I really wanted this.
Wedding rings- FH told me to get anything I wanted since I will wear it forever. It will still be relatively inexpensive since I am a practical sort of girl!

Savings-
Duet photographers( I still can't believe what we are getting for under 3000)
Invites- I decided to make my own since I really can't find anything I like
Programs- Again making my own
Centerpieces- Making my own for under 25 a centerpiece and I love them
Small bridal party- only having my sister and FH brother
Honeymoon- Sandal's 50% sale for their new property in Jamaica
Limos- just a antique car for FH and me since my sister and FBIL would want to go with their dates/spouse anyway
Florist-All I need is personal flowers and a couple of arrangements for the church so my decorating budget is really low
Dress- Netbride.com- Couldn't believe their price for the dress I wanted- 200 below anyone else!

I think our budget, thanks to me being a bargain shopper is doing ok- I think since I am paying for more than 1/3 of it makes me really conscious of it!

RVCBride Posted: Nov 17, 2004 07:43 PM

Re: Okay ladies what are you doing to keep costs downs? and what is your steal vrs splurge.

Steal:

1. Even though DUET's prices went up I still consider them very reasonably priced.
2. My flowers I consider very reasonably priced as well considering I've seen quotes for over 5,000!?!?!
3. Day of coordinator
4. Got a decent price for our honeymoon

Splurge:

1. Wedding party gifts
2. Invitations
3. DJ
4. Upgrades at our hall (ie. seafood boat, martini bar, etc.)