FH and I are paying for the wedding on our own, so we've had to cut some things, and I'm really bummed. But I assume this happens to a lot of girls, and talking about it makes me feel a little better.
So what are some things you are cutting to save money? For us, we have decided to cut:
1) String quartet for ceremony and cocktail hour 2) Plasma TVs for photo montage/slide show (Something I was really looking forward to making myself) 3) Rolls Royce (this was really for pictures, since we're getting married at the RH, but still, the car looks SOOO nice in front of the Woodlands!) 4) Certain flowers - I've wanted hydrangeas at my wedding since I was a little girl, and I always assumed they were inexpensive since they grow all over the place. But apparently they are not!
jackieee
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
not doing plasma tvs no photobooth (which I wanted) no extras with dj (except uplights) only one limobus to take everyone..no special car no upgrade with flowers no harp for the church which i would love
im sure there are other things
GracieJMay2010
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
Posted by AmyElizabeth
...because of budget?
FH and I are paying for the wedding on our own, so we've had to cut some things, and I'm really bummed. But I assume this happens to a lot of girls, and talking about it makes me feel a little better.
So what are some things you are cutting to save money? For us, we have decided to cut:
1) String quartet for ceremony and cocktail hour 2) Plasma TVs for photo montage/slide show (Something I was really looking forward to making myself) 3) Rolls Royce (this was really for pictures, since we're getting married at the RH, but still, the car looks SOOO nice in front of the Woodlands!) 4) Certain flowers - I've wanted hydrangeas at my wedding since I was a little girl, and I always assumed they were inexpensive since they grow all over the place. But apparently they are not!
We did one violinist and pianist for the ceremony and CH and it kicked a$$!!!! They sounded great!!
Thats also a way we saved money instead of the quartet.
MayBride2010
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
Plasma tvs Sax player to play along with dj Some time from the string trio Rolls Royce Phantom (this I was upset about...) A case of Vueve Cliquot (I cant spell) Rose Champage for FH and I After party at a bar (that was also a big one for us), instead we rented an extra stocked suite for everyone to hang out in ...and some other rediculous things my Fh wanted to do (but didn't, thank god lol)
Honestly - I am happy we cut most of the extra stuff (the Rolls was hard to cut - I have to admit!) - it wasn't worth it in the end and we had such an amazing day with how our wedding was and we couldn't have imagined it any other way....and trust me - no one will notice either!
eta - we dropped our string quartet to a trio - and the trio was great!
MikesBride2B
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
I was actually just talking about this with my mom today...I think the only thing I really wanted that we didn't get was the white trolley to shuttle us and our guests back and forth from the hotel to the RH....but it really was over the top expensive and we're getting a school bus for MUCH less money for the whole day...and I actually like the school bus idea as much as I like the trolley so its not a huge loss for me
LaBellaVita622
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
we were going to cut out alot but then decided to change the day of the week to Thursday and we got everything we wanted and saved alot of $
summerbride20
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
-not having a weekend wedding -not having plasma tvs -not having a photobooth -not having uplighting -not having a videographer -not having photo albums (just CD version) -not having floral canopy to get married under -not having limos or shuttles -not having floral upgrades -not having the extra decorations I wanted (candles, letters for the cake table) -not adding extras to the RH menu -not having professional invitations -not having hair and makeup trials -not having an after party -not having trumpet players -not having a band -not having the matching wedding ring to my engagement ring
... and I am sure there are way more I am forgetting...
Wanted to add what I am gaining: -not having too much stress about going into debt for one day -not having the guilt to spend more on the honeymoon
LOL
canmigs
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
I could probably answer this easier if you asked me what I didn't cut! I have an extremely low budget (15,000 for a Sat night) so you could just imagine! The big items we cut were... 1. No video 2. Using my 'friend' as the photographer....although that may not work out 3. Simple flowers 4. No flowers for the ceremony 5. Wedding invites (bought the cheapest ones them added my own bling) 6. No limos (although we are trying to figure a way to squeeze that in) 7. 1/2 hour cocktail hour 8. No photobooth 9. No zap shoots 10. No uplighting
In reality we got a lot for our money....it just took a lot of creative planning and tons of research. I also ordered tons of stuff online. Right now I am slightly under budget.
FutureJOC
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
We haven't really had to cut anything that we originally wanted. Maybe a little closer to the date some things may come up that we realize we can't do/afford but right now whatever we set out to do we're doing.
I will say though that if we had some extra money to spend, I would do video - but we never set out to get video to begin with.
elp6421
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
Wow... I know there will be a lot here!
- fancy flowers - string quartet (sad about this the most) - dress - videographer - Saturday night - Fancy limos
I guess theres not as much as I anticipated. But as much as it stinks to cut things I am really only sad about the string quartet.
BlushandBashful
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
We haven't gotten too far into planning yet, but I think we are going to go with a dj over a band because of budget. Bands are so expensive!!
Gerbera
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
I would say out of all the things we are choosing not to do and or cut the one I am most bummed about is no ceremony musicians. :(
No limo DIY flowers didn't want DJ extras (uplight, photo montage, etc) No videographer DOC!
CrazyLove11
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
We just booked our place so we aren't too far into the planning processes but we did a Friday night instead of Saturday and decided to get married at RH which is saving us thousands on limos. I've reached out to every connection I have to pull strings...for example I'll most likely use the photography studio my friend owns!
The FH and I came up with what I called the 'non-negotiables' things regardless of price we absolutely want to have! You need some extras! And everything else that aren't non-negotiables, we'll scale back!
njoseph8
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
We are also paying for our wedding ourself on a VERY tight budget. However, we are probably using Hydrangeas because the price we got for them wasn't too bad. I'm not sure where you are or if you're already set up with a florist but if you're interested you can FM me and I can give you the florist and quote we got.
I was upset about each and every single one of those things that we had to cut but on the wedding day, I sure as hell did NOT miss them for a second!!! Trust me, it's going to be the best day of your life no matter what! And none of your guests are going to miss any of those things!!
ETA: Also, we had a Friday night wedding instead of a Saturday night wedding!
AdriandSteve
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
String quartet was cut also. I'm not doing the after-hours party the RH can do.
umm... yeah. lol
AngnShaun
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
No Church Flowers Using the RH's House Florist Low CP's Davids Bridal for Dresses WeddingFactoryDirect.com for accessories Time Share for Honeymoon (only 1 week) No Up-LIghting (or other DJ stuff, Zap Shots, Plazmas, etc, MC) Using a friend for Make-Up (not professional mu artist) Using a friend for Hair (professional) Party City for Invitations
ETA: these arent things i HAD to cut... they are things that i wanted to do to cut costs... im not upset about any of them
JessNicole7EM
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
we're paying for the wedding outselves too but we didn't cut anything we wanted.
FutureMrsGTL
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
I haven't done too much as far as planning but i've come to the realization we will not be able to afford a band.. so DJ it is!
I'm sure as I really get into planning there will be some other things I want cut bc my 'want ' list is outrageous lol
cherryblossom
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
We are having all the major things we wanted... the venue, Saturday night in the summer, outdoor ceremony, DJ, live music during ceremony & cocktail hour, good photographer, basic videographer, our own designed menu etc.
Some of the other things we did away with (and without much heartache too) was the expensive rings (both my e-ring and band cost less than $1,000 combined).
We didn't do the harpist for the ceremony like we had originally wanted because it was just too expensive and not a big deal because our DJ also plays guitar and we are just going to have him perform. The less vendors to worry about the better!
I'm not doing a hair or make-up trial because it seems like an unnecessary expense for a simple down hair-do with only a flower.
I downgraded the centerpieces because I prefer smaller simpler ones anyway.
We are doing a mini-moon to Ithaca. We just came back from a 3-month backpacking trip through Asia and have no desire to go on another extravagant vacation.
