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!
eternitybride
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
no limo used the hall table numbers Used the music from the hall at the cocktail hour no Venitian hour or table no chair covers did half high half low centerpieces with an amazing and reasonable florist No bathroom baskets small welcome bags with items purchased at sales and candy no after party no programs
Big cost saver for us: DIY invites DIY Menus Rings: you can get beautiful rings at Costco or BJs for way less than the main jewelry stores
AugustBridein09
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
We didn't do limos...we didn't really need them so they would have been a waste.
allornil
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
yeah we're not doing limos either.
no RD. I just don't see the point.
no programs, crypacks or personalized napkins.
no VH. the RH has a dessert / cordial thing included.
dj instead of a band.
no huge BP.
I may have to cut my classical spanish guitarist for the CH which makes me sad but all the djs seemed to throw in the music.
prob doing low CPs or a mix to save $.
CrazyLove11
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
In regards to the flowers...make sure you pick flowers that are in season for the time of year you are getting married. For example, Hydrangeas are blooming now in NY so chances are they'll be cheaper for my summer wedding than for your fall wedding.
Bee12
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
Posted by canmigs
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.
you have FM
FutureMrsDavid
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
All you girls cutting video should RREEAALLYY re-think it. I have heard ladies on these boards say that if they could turn back time, they would get video so they can see all the moments they missed.
There are basic packages out there that are so affordable and you won't regret it!!!
Check out Gil from Fade to Black. He is a vendor on here. He works with your budget.
Bee12
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
- we are not having a weekend wedding - no children ( thats $4000 saving for us.. sooo many children on both side of family) - basic photo for now. will add album when we are ready - no decorations in the church. its gorgeous as is - mixing high and low centerpieces - saving $700... i know if we do all low, we will save $300... still thinking about it - no extra ( crypacks, slippers etc etc) - DIY everything I can with my bridal party ( from invite to monogram) -
Bee12
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
I agree with poster above me.. Coup Up, Tom Morgan, Rambling Rose all have packages for $1k and up..
My co-worker spent $6k on invites and didnt get video... 5years later - she regrets it so much!! she told me she wish she could watch her dance with her father since she paid for lessons and it was awesome!!
Im cutting flowers before video.. photos only do so much.
Jesebelle
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
I don't think of it as cutting things, I'm just trying not to get my heart set on things we can't afford. We are still on the fence about limos (guess we'll see what we have left over!) Going to have to get cheap flowers (no peonies and orchids for me!) Not getting crazy expensive invites, they will either be DIY or vistaprint (I love the ones on wedding paper divas and they're not THAT expensive but they could still be double what I could spend elsewhere!) Getting the simplest DJ package (but I didn't really want all those lights and extra people anyway) No live music for ceremony or CH (but I want modern music for the ceremony anyway) All the extras like chair covers, extra stations (2 are already included and I don't think people will need more than that!), venetian hour....
jenhef
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
For girls cutting out the montage screens.. I have a really low cost idea.
My sister bought me and my FH a 8 by 10 digital photo frame that she got for a hundred bucks on sale. We put it on the bar of our engagement party.. stuck a memory card in it of all pictures of the two of us and let it keep gong the entire time.. people loved it!
Tomsbride
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
I haven't planned much yet but these are the things that I am not going to consider so I can afford other things like a band:
-Ceremony music (will use church's music/chior -Video -Church flowers
Things I don't necessarily need but I'd love to have!
-Viennese hour -Photo Booth -Cinderella Carriage -CH music -String quartet for ceremony -Dinner hour entertainment (harp, sinatra singer, whatever)
AugustBridein09
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
Posted by FutureMrsDavid
All you girls cutting video should RREEAALLYY re-think it. I have heard ladies on these boards say that if they could turn back time, they would get video so they can see all the moments they missed.
ITA....I love our video!!!!!
HSsweethearts
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
Posted by AugustBridein09
Posted by FutureMrsDavid
All you girls cutting video should RREEAALLYY re-think it. I have heard ladies on these boards say that if they could turn back time, they would get video so they can see all the moments they missed.
ITA....I love our video!!!!!
Couped Up has amazing work and great prices. Same with Fade to Black
win01
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
I am not cutting anything out...Just not buying any stuff I feel is necessary for us to have a great day...Everyone has a vision of what they want their day to be like...For me that means not buying stuff like crypack, flipflops,bathroom baskets (I will have basic stuff in a bag should I need it...)..Simple but lovely flowers and no lights and stuff.. I tried recalling all these touches at weddings I attended, and really, I just remember the food, dj, overall appearnce of the place and how happy the bride and groom were. Go with your heart and what you think will make a great day for the two of you.
Yannie
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
I dont feel like I cut out things, I just kept them simple.
The biggest cost saver:
photography- didnt get album
videographer- unedited footage (we will edit ourselves)
dj- a friend of the family
Flowers- none for the reception
only 1 limo for everyone
Cheap Invitations (<$100)
dimarcs22
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
Ugh I am going through this right now and it is very upsetting...
Having to cancel a whole bunch of things b/c the $ we thought would be there just isn't and although my mom is helping, the groom's parents are not willing to help at all... It is breaking my heart that every cool thing about my wedding is going away...
Question: when you say 'cut' do you mean not book in the first place? Or do you mean is booked, and you had to cancel with the vendor? My case is the second and I am fearful of how they will react when I tell them I am canceling half their services...
Any experiences here?
Thanks ladies!
bride2be1012
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
Posted by LaBellaVita622
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 $
Same here. A small, Thursday night wedding allowed us to have our dream vendors and pretty much everything we wanted ! The only thing I would do differently is add a few more extras at the RH.
luckycouple05
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
DIY table numbers
DIY Invites- we hand delivered the most that we could! And people appreciated the visit!
DIY Centerpieces for 18 tables
No VH hour
No bathroom baskets
No programs
No RD, no point in having one
Soon2BMrsAlini
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Re: What are some things you had to cut....
wow, i didn't realize there were so many of us!!
- Sunday wedding instead of Saturday; - no beautiful big, flower centerpieces ; instead, I'll be doing floating candle bowls with rose petals and votive candles placed around. still pretty and romantic, but def not flowers. - one limo to take me, FH and BP; - videographer only for ceremony and reception and no spiffy package; - DJ is the cousin of a friend - photographer is friend of my MOH's friend; - BP gifts are really to the minimum - favors also will be to the minimum - DIY menus and programs (if I actually do it..lol); - No 'platinum package' at my hall, which consists of the seafood boat, ice sculpture and viennese hour
BUT, we're inviting everyone we wanted to and didn't have to cut anyone out (our families/friends are HUGE), we're still getting our musicians for ceremony and CH, we can splurge on our honeymoon and we will have NO DEBT because it will all be paid off.
