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Between trying to save for a place to live after we are married and possibly a LI wedding, I don't think we can afford the two.
What or how can we cut costs without looking cheap? We have even discussed getting married in Aruba although deep down inside I want to walk down the aisle!
Thanks for advice.
I had the same issue, so we decided we'd live at my current place and focus on buying a place after the wedding.
You can cut corners by getting silk instead of fresh flowers; by getting photography only; by doing a wedding at home or at a relative's house; by cutting down your guest list to only people who really mean a lot to you and have to share your day; by having the wedding on a Sunday as oppose to the popular Saturday.
I have to admit that I'm not doing all these things to cut corners, but it's whatever works for your budget. Having a wedding in the Bahamas is also a good way to save.
I am a firm believer that a wedding can be designed around any budget. After your budget is set work out your headcount and then go from there on the catering location time of day and year. And then on to the rest. We are here to help!
Get married off season. I totally wanted to get married in February, but since my FI is a teacher and really can only honeymoon for any length of time during the summer, we did not have that option. It would have made saving a little less stressful than it is. Also, I agree with Fran about the budget. You have A LOT of time to save and should be able to come up with a reasonabl budget and then stick to it! Good luck.
Becky
*Dont be picky on when or where you get married. When you are hall hunting, if you are open to dates that are still not booked (especially if you are planning CLOSE to your wedding date, Under 6 months time, dates that are 'left open' are usually very good deals.
*Basically watch your spending on everything from dress, centerpieces, flowers, favors. There are options for all of these that dont have to cost you an arm and a leg. Make yourself a budget for everything. (Based on what you want/think you should spend on each.) This is a personal choice, so i cant tell you what to spend on what. :)
*Watch on the invite list. Go through your original list and see who you think you can cut from the list (sorry if that sounds harsh!)
There are sooo many ways to cut costs, it really depends on you, what you dont mind cutting costs on and what you will not cut costs on.
Good luck ! and yes you DO deserve to walk down that aisle !!
HAPPY Planning !
the attendee list is the first to get slashed. I have already eliminated co-workers ( I don't plan on sticking around this place too much longer!)
I really thought of doing the flowers myself, with the help of the girls but I am a nervous wreck when I plan things I can only imagine the day of my wedding what I would be like!
Are there any other items I could possibly make myself or something like that? Excluding flowers, I want real ones and have spoken to a just married girl at my job who went through a local florist and got an amazing deal.
Thanks again everyone!!
I just saw an episode of Weddings of a Lifetime on a Budget last week. Check this website http://www.lifetimetv.com/shows/woal/index.shtml
The brides interviewed had some terrific ideas of how to save major $$$.
Good luck with your planning.
Jen
Hey I'm looking for an inexpensive but great florist, can you give me the info on the person you're friend told you about?? Thanks!
The name is Tim's Florist in Massapequa Park. From what my friend told me her bouquet was under $60 and something was about $15 can't remember what though.
It's all so overwhelming, isn't it? Here are some ideas.. take a look at Vera Wang bridesmaid dresses in white! My sister just bought the most beautiful dress and is wearing it for her wedding and it was $400. Utilize candles and pictures along with a few fresh flowers for centerpieces. Skip the whole photo album thing - you can do that when you have extra cash. Just find a photographer at a low price and get the negatives. And maybe the photographer doesn't need to stay there the whole time - maybe just two hours or so. Definitely check the off peak times and days. AND I know this great and classy couple who skipped the dj and band all together. They burned cd's and set up their laptop to play the music and it was FANTASTIC. Nobody even knew the difference! There are many ways and many sites. Check theknot.com for other ideas!
Dont cut costs on anything you will later regret. I know someone who spent 'a fortune' (in my opinion) on her dress, shoes, centerpieces and a few other things, and then did not have video done of her wedding, had no parents albums, no blown-up pics, and a very limited photogr package 'to save money'.. I would eat bread a butter for a year, but I would HAVE TO HAVE video of my wedding.
Just really think about any major ways you plan to cut corners on. Do what your heart tells you !
Happy planning !
In addition to the great ideas of the other brides I am doing:
-guest list of 75
-no wideographer
-photographer for only 3 hours, disposable cameras on tables and family member w/ good camera for the rest. We will either do our own album, or get negatives and do it at another time.
-researched (mainly here) A LOT to find best prices. This included visiting many vendors since they don't all give prices over the phone. If you have time compare as much as you can. For example, I visited 6 florists until I was happy.
-We knew that high centerpieces were out. I told the florists I cannot spend more than $40 per centerpiece (round fish bowl w/ fresh roses and calla lillies), and am not having pieces on the seating card table and the dais (we're having candles and rose petals on the card table and my boquet will be on ours), or a throw away boquet
-wedding gown from Jessica McClintock $280, they range to about $500
-shoes DSW, $25
-am only going to be engaged for 6 months, so got a good deal at the Watermill for a Sat afternoon
-not having bridal party, except flower girls (eliminates buying gifts for them, boquets, bouts, limos)
-no limos (getting married at reception place for and flowers are included in the price)
-was practical about invites
-homemade CDs as favors
-DJ for only $650
-Can you or someone you know do your own hair and makeup? This is where I am splurging, but IMO, the prices are ridiculous.
-If all goes well, including our honeymoon and wedding bands our wedding should be a little over $10,000.
Good luck!!!
Although we both really wanted a Saturday night wedding we settled for a Friday night. The cost was about $20 cheaper per person.
I went to school with their kids, I don't really suggest them. I went with Enchanted Florist in Lyndenhurst.. If you stop by tims ya might as well make a trip to Enchanted.
Awesome work at great prices!!
WOW you really have encouraged me!!
I know its doable but it is overwhelming to think money pleases you with what you want. I stopped by the Chateau Briand and got a REALLY great deal for March but I think I can finagle the price lower if we bumped up the plans for Feb. The BM was really reasonable and knows we are on a tight budget.
If you don't mind me asking: where did you get your dress? I am surprised Jessica McKlintock dresses are that affordable and also your DJ? My mom has connections to a spanish band (FH and my family is Spanish)which I can get for a really good price but I need a DJ to complete the night.
the center pieces by yourself and the bouquets? I thought about this but I don't know if I can handle it!
If you can give me details that would really help. Were they fresh or silk flowers?
Thanks.
What is Enchanted Florist's phone no?
What kind of price range are they in?
Another thing is to prioritize what you do want to splurge on, and what you can leave out. To me, having my wedding at the reception site that I chose was what I had my heart set on, but like Chatuau Briand, Scottos are a reputable family and I KNOW they will make our day fabulous!
I forgot one more thing: Since ours is Sat afternoon w/ our closest friends and family (all 75 of them!), my fi decided to wear a suit (which he only wore once) and an ivory shirt and tie to make it look a little more formal. So we're saving on that too!
Jam Entertainment, DJ Joey owns his own business, his # is 800-JAM-4668. He also has a website, I think it's
www.jamentertainment.com. Basically after talking to him and other DJ companies, he didn't seem like a salesperson or someone who was looking to rip me off.
About J. Mcclintock, the store is on the 2nd floor of Roosevelt Field by Nordstrom. I found her dresses elsewhere (like RK bridal in Manhattan), but I preferred to order directly from the store b/c once I placed the order, it took less than 2 weeks for the dress to come to my house from the warehouse in CA!!! I met w/ my seamstress who makes custom made dresses (Karin Yngvesdotter in Queens, also recommended from this site) and she said that all the JM dresses she's seen are always great quality. All of them are elegant. Check out her website too www.jessicamcclintock.com.
The only bad thing is that they don't do alterations. But karin is only chargin $150 max, and $40 for a corset.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
I found my dress for $327. I am not working on a tight budget but, didn't feel it was necessary to pay a lot for a dress I will wear for only a few hours.
I loved my dress completely even before I looked for the price!
Check at Estelles on route 110. They don't do alterations.
I got Angels Bridals in East Islip to match Estelles price(or very close to it) and i could not say enough good things about them. If you can see them, I know they could find something in your budget you would love!
Good luck!
I think I spoke to you about this once before. I got everything at Michaels. They are nolt fresh flowers they are silk. They were very easy to make. They weren't expensive either. I still have your email address. I will try to send you a picture of them as soon as I get my digital camera working.
