So if you are on a tight budget. You already have the RH booked... What is the first things you cut out or go minimal on??? Photography, Flowers/Decor, DJ, Skip Videography, Wedding dress???? Other???
Just wondering......
missexcited
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Re: On a tight budget....
Dont skimp on the Photographer. Dont have to spend alot on the dress, and def try using non floral centerpieces
Annoulak
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Re: On a tight budget....
The rule of thumb that I used when deciding what to spend money on is to spend the most on things that will last after the wedding.
So, photography and videography were important for me because memories will last forever. I also decided not spend a tremendous amount on a wedding gown because it will only be worn for 1 day. Plus, there are so many great dresses at affordable prices, i just couldn't bring myself to spend a lot on that.
You don't have to splurge on invitations and flowers if you don't want to. You can cut down or eliminate limos to save some money, too.
Finally, the biggest and best way to keep the cost of the wedding down is to have a small bridal party and a small guest list!
Cacarina
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Re: On a tight budget....
Dress...there are soooo many gorgeous dresses that are under $1,000.
Jenn04
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Re: On a tight budget....
Hands down - flowers. They die! We spent like $1300 on flowers and we were very happy about it! Our place was fancy and we didnt feel we needed anything extravagant. We shopped out florists big time.
We also shopped out limos and buses and got the cheapest possible.
Oh and we went cheap on invites...they were still pretty though.
pa56
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Re: On a tight budget....
I would say forget videographer and go simple on the flowers.
Camroy
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Re: On a tight budget....
Think about weddings you've previously attended...are there things that really stuck out that you like and want to do? If someone asked you, what did x look like - would you remember? Because if you find that there are things that you tend not to pay attention to and remember after, those may be things that you can save money on when planning your own wedding.
IMO - don't cut in the photographer area because when the day is over...all that is left, other than your memories, are the pictures.
SylvieB
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Re: On a tight budget....
Posted by Annoulak
The rule of thumb that I used when deciding what to spend money on is to spend the most on things that will last after the wedding.
So, photography and videography were important for me because memories will last forever. I also decided not spend a tremendous amount on a wedding gown because it will only be worn for 1 day. Plus, there are so many great dresses at affordable prices, i just couldn't bring myself to spend a lot on that.
You don't have to splurge on invitations and flowers if you don't want to. You can cut down or eliminate limos to save some money, too.
Finally, the biggest and best way to keep the cost of the wedding down is to have a small bridal party and a small guest list!
Yup, best advice so far.
I know several girls who were going to skip video but in the end decided to do it and was soo glad they did. You literally get to watch your wedding day from beginning to end!! As the bride, you miss so many things. All the planning and hard work you put into it and you don't want that memory?? To me, my video was even more important than my pics.
CMBove
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Re: On a tight budget....
I would say florist- they can work with budgets using different flowers
I think you would regret not having a video...i know I would. That is something you can keep forever, flowers wilt.
TJ22908
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Re: On a tight budget....
I def think you can cut down your flower costs by DIY centerpieces, we had large martini glasses with floating candles and some rose petals all together it cost about $15 or less each. I agree with some of the others that photos/video is your memory of the day and you will want them in the future. Also I only paid $500 for my dress from Davids Bridal, you can def save some money there. I would say you can save on invites & favors we paid under $200 for invites and about $100 on favors it sounds cheap but most people don't keep either one. I thnk you just need to set limits for yourself, this website is great but it puts a lot of extra ideas in your head that arent always necessary if you don't have the budget.
LuvMyAlfonse
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Re: On a tight budget....
dress and decor - definitely.
ttdiff11
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Re: On a tight budget....
u can use less flowers and it will still look really nice
Future Mulligan
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Re: On a tight budget....
Posted by ladybengal
I would skimp on florist...in my opinion it is not that serious.
agreed - we saved on the florist and invites and even my dress - we splurged on the RH, photo and video AND we have a small bridal party - 3 on each side so 6 total
Bride908
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Re: On a tight budget....
Def the flowers. We spent $950 on flowers and we have a BP of 20! I am using the halls centerpieces that they include flowers are pretty no matter what. Im not doing the church either - that is beautiful in itself.
O yeh and I did get gorgeous invites and paid a really low price for them - Evenstar!!
PattyK
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Re: On a tight budget....
We didn't have a videographer and we were able to get our invitations online for under $200.
Celeste617
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Re: On a tight budget....
We're working on a tight budget as well and we were able to do flowers for a 1/3 of the price of the big wedding vendors by utilizing a local florist. We're also spending less on photography since I don't want the parent albums & we're not getting a videographer either.
GinaZ
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Re: On a tight budget....
flowers and decor. You can do things very well with a tight budget here. Just be creative or find someone that can help you.
Butterfly123
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Re: On a tight budget....
I didnt get video. I had a cousin tape the wedding and he did a GREAT job. I also used a friends flower shop so I saved a ton of money there.
deb08
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Re: On a tight budget....
we are not doing a video and my RH through in CP so that all i have is BP flowers to get-
i also am using the menu they provide and there seating cards- saving where i can-
we did not skimp on the photos- that is something that i would not do they are to important.
Goldie39
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Re: On a tight budget....
flowers, i have no real connection towards them! plus there are so many alternatives to them in terms of CP's.
I would also suggest having a family member or friend do the videography. You won't necessarily look at your wedding video everyday, but pictures are forever and speak a thousand words!
hope this helps!
dedecakes
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Re: On a tight budget....
I am cutting costs by having candles and some rose petals scattered in the middle of the table, instead of a floral centerpiece. You might also want to think about asking someone to videotape the ceremony and maybe some important parts of the reception. Maybe people can switch off on it so you aren't inconveniencing any one person the whole night. I think those are the two areas that you can really save on. Would you consider having someone drive you to the church/reception? (Someone that has a nice car, of course, hehe)
