On a tight budget....

I posted this on the other budget thread hope it helps

I tried on my dress at RKBridal and then ordered it from their website they also lowered the price since I found it for cheaper on another website so I paid about half for my dress. I got my shoes from Davids Bridal 55 bucks. Hardly anyone saw them anyway. No save the dates, no programs or menus. Anything the RH could provide for free I let them do. I didnt use a videographer. No albums right away. Used my regular hair girl for my wedding hair and paid less than a hundred bucks. Paid 45 for each BM for their hair. I used a friend for makeup so that didnt cost me anything. No limos. No aisle runner. Borrowed a money bag as my something borrowed. I desperately wanted pocketfolds so I found an ebay vendor who made GORGEOUS pocketfolds for about half of what I would have paid from any other invitation place. Thats all I can think of for now.

I also used a friends flower shop. basically I tried to stay away from 'wedding' vendors since theyre usually ridiculously over priced.

Ooh and favors, I went to a wholesale liquor distributor in NJ on the border of Philly called Roger Wilco. I got about 125 mini bottles of champagne for 100 bucks. They even printed out free labels but I ended up buying DIY labels from Michaels. those were cheap too. I wrapped them in organza bags and little flowers. Got the bags online from buyorganzabagsonline.com for cheap.

Same here...we are on a tight budget as well. We will be recieving no HELP at all So we are going to be doing everything on our own. I will not cut down on photos or videos b/c thats the only thing that will be left after everything is done. I mean i will get an a la carte package but i still want beautiful photos taken and the video i don't mind a raw footage video only. I would say do ur own centerpieces that will definitely save you lots of $$$$$. Also with the limos get one super stretch limo and have him drop off as much plp as u can. make them go back and forth if u have to...lol. Your dress there are plenty of dresses that are less than 1 g like Maggie Sottero, and look out for sales. The invites they will be thrown away by guests so them most to spend on them should be about 200. Hair and Make-up well thats a different case. If you think the style that u want is relatively easy then go to a near hair salon and have them do it. Make up as well. If you want the airbrush then thats a diferent story. The Dj im saving tons of money on b/c i'm not having all of the extras.

I'd say flowers and invitations. We're doing candle CPs to save lots of $$ in our budget to put towards other things.

Just my opinion, but as beautiful as they are, flowers will die and invitations will most likely get tossed out by everyone except family and close friends. I'm the type of person that saves everyone's invitations, but unfortunately, most people I know toss them.

Personally, I wouldn't skip videography at all. I'm a sentimental person and cherish photos and our home videos. I also love that those videos captured treasured moments with family and friends who are no longer alive, which makes those memories even more special to me. Hope this makes sense!

you can really eliminate favors completely if you want to.

invitation kits at Michael's and ACMoore w coupons run about $20 for 50.

Estelle's has wedding dresses starting at $399 with alot in the $500 to $900 range.

FM Entertainmment and High Voltage do the reception 4 hrs for about $800-900. and you really don't need music at CH - - that saves $100 or more. The RH can pipe in music for that and most guests don't notice one way or the other.

if you are getting married at church you can do simple bows from Michael's on the pews. I did that and bought silk flowers to go with them. that was about $30.

CPs, if flowers low will be cheaper but candles would look nice - - check if RH provides anything. ours had candelabrs if we wanted them.

tuxes - - esquire feldman gave good service and matched any prices we found. Gino's seemed good too.

photo. get just pictures done with dvd and hold off on album until after wedding. Silverfox whom we used will do that and freezes the album prices from when you sign the contract.

and if that still is too much for your budget - - just eliminate it completely. what if tables don't have centerpieces? it's your wedding do what is right for you.
and ENJOY!

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Posted by pa56

I would say forget videographer and go simple on the flowers.

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i would say the exact opposite. I went very minimal on flowers, but had my videogrpaher. the flowers die, the food gets eaten... all i have left of my wedding is the video and pictures. i can't wait to show that video to my kids and to have me dancing with my Dad, those moments are priceless.

I agree with ALL the advise given.. but if you reeealy don't want to cut that out...think of doing more DIY things... rather then PAYING someone to do it for you. Also, try to cut back on a lot of the little things, b/c all in all, the little things add to up be big things...

We're on a budget too, so I'm having a fun of a time with DIYs... :) Also, I'm trying to get all the little things done NOW... the BMs gifts.. the favors... extras that I just coudnlt give up... And that cost a pretty penny. We also gave up our LIVES! ha. All our money goes to our savings to save...ha.

Best of luck to you!!

instead of purchasing a gown you can rent one
or you can probably get a cheap package for everything

I rented my gown, a evening wear, FH tux, 4 GM tux, 4 BM gowns, everyones hair and makeup day of wedding, photographer, videographer, seperate indoor and outdoor photoshoot, limo, photo enlargements for reception...etc for 5990.00

I think I got a good deal

my advice is shop around!!!

you can get almost everything cheaper

I dont recommend skipping on the photo or videos because those are whats left.... and also dont skim on entertainment either. you do not want your guest to be bored.....

you can DIY centerpieces and invites that will cut your cost ALOT!!!!!!

I would def not skimp on the photos and video cause that is all you have left after the wedding is over.

I am in the same predicament so I am cutting down on everything else:

Low key floral arrangements, minimal decor in the church (we will only be there for an hour)
One limo for everyone except for FH and I
Cheap DIY programs and possible Invites
Clearance section for my dress cuz I can not bring myself to pay over 1K for a dress I will wear for a few hours
Just give yourself enough time and comparison shop!