What things do you feel is not necessary

If you just have a MOH, it makes things very simple on the bridal party end.
Limos for sure.

I'm gonna say you could have a simple CH, and a good dinner.

I would not cut the band, for me, it was the best money I spent!

There are alternatives to make your cp's less expensive, fruit,candles,crafty stuff, can make those flowers stretch.

I diy'ed all my flowers and decorations, but that was extreme. I did get all of my cp supplies on sale at target and Micheal's.

I actually added favors the night before the wedding!

I also think it's simple to learn to do your own makeup, but not everyone feels confident.

Things to spluge on, comfortable shoes, great alterations, and best photographer you can afford.

Fancy invites are nice, but a simple modern one does the trick.

I would say in general the more informal the wedding, the easier it is to pinch pennies, and still be stylish.

The real simple wedding book has some good ideas.

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Posted by mshonfeld

I think a guest book is unnecessary ... i think most people (myself included) hate writing in them anyway

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ITA..I recently took guestbook off my list. I think I will have something small at my bridal shower like a wishing well or something. but nothing for the actual wedding.

Custom Aisle Runner
Custom Card Box
Cry Packs
Bathroom baskets (most halls have some stuff in case of an emergency)
Custom Menu's
Cameras on tables
Custom Table #'s
Custom Napkins

umm..... can't think of anything else at this moment.

oh Guest Book.

ugh... there are some things that i either feel are a waste of time, or i am just making a conscious decision to not overwhelm myself with b/c i can't deal!:

favors (i think most ppl forget or throw these out!)
bathroom baskets (be responsible for your own self, i have enough to worry about, lol!)
slipper baskets
petal cones
cry packs
place card holders
OOT welcome bags (a nice touch, but there's no way this is going to happen)
wedding night 'attire' (FH could care less about that kind of thing, which is fine w/ me!)

sometimes you just have to cut your losses... lol!!

Photo Montage
uplighting
DJ props: sunglasses, morroccas, etc...
menus
cry packs
programs
bubbles after ceremony (ruins pictures)

a wise friend told me that you actually just need you, fi and minister/justice to officiate the wedding. everything else is just additions...

but it IS hard to just stick to that 3 requirements. haahaha.

additional would be the engagement, boudoir pix and programs.

We too are on a VERY strict budget as we are the only ones paying. So we are making some very tough cuts. So far we are cutting:

-No videographer
-No menus, place cards, table cards, programs, anything like this. I have no idea what a cry packet is anyway.
-Very small wedding party.
-Coctail Reception - meaning buffet, passed appetizers. We are only having 50 people as well.
-No mother of the bride, groom, whoever corsages. May not do boutiners.
-No favors
-Probably no cake. If anything something small for us to cut, and cupcakes for everyone.
-Getting someone who does hair & make-up. Not one of each. I found it's cheaper that way.
-No limos. Not really necessary for our wedding anyway (destination).

I think that's it right now. Good luck, I know how stressful this is when you want to have something amazing and beautiful, but feel that you may not have the money to do it justice. If that makes sense. At least that is how I'm feeling right now.

I think the menus are a waste. People look at them for 2 seconds and they go into the garbage. My hall does them for me, if not I would not do them. They're pretty, but they're one of the first things to go.

Place card holders - Unless it's something that somehow has another use --maybe a picture frame? but even then I'm not sure- I feel like these can be cute, but they're not something most people will ever make use out of

Personalized napkins, matchbooks,etc - I might do just the matchbooks, since I always loved seeing them from my family weddings throughout the years (we're talking back to the 60's here) but I think in general these items are kind of going out of style. They were big years ago, but you don't see them much now.

Cocktail hour add-ons- They can be really nice, and hey a sushi chef would be really cool, but I feel CH is often so overloaded with food, and I'm usually stuffed by the time I get to dinner.

Card boxes- I'd never even heard of this before LIW. I thought you hand the card to the couple at some point. I have seen people with a pretty drawstring bag, which is what I will most likely do. It gives me a pretty place to put the cards without costing a fortune.

Bathroom basket- not needed, but I don't think it's bad thing to do anyway because you can always re-use those items.

Menus
Flip Flop Baskets
VH
Extended RH time
Uplighting
Cocktail hour music
Bathroom Baskets
Personalized Napkins

Although, I'll be the first to say that I am doing a couple from this list.

all the wedding...if it were up to FH, we'd be married by now by a Justice of the Peace!!!

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Posted by FutureMrsLMS

all the wedding...if it were up to FH, we'd be married by now by a Justice of the Peace!!!

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Agreed.. Isnt the point to just get married? but we all want a piece of the dream

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Posted by HSsweethearts

I think the menus are a waste. People look at them for 2 seconds and they go into the garbage. My hall does them for me, if not I would not do them. They're pretty, but they're one of the first things to go.

Place card holders - Unless it's something that somehow has another use --maybe a picture frame? but even then I'm not sure- I feel like these can be cute, but they're not something most people will ever make use out of

Personalized napkins, matchbooks,etc - I might do just the matchbooks, since I always loved seeing them from my family weddings throughout the years (we're talking back to the 60's here) but I think in general these items are kind of going out of style. They were big years ago, but you don't see them much now.

Cocktail hour add-ons- They can be really nice, and hey a sushi chef would be really cool, but I feel CH is often so overloaded with food, and I'm usually stuffed by the time I get to dinner.

Card boxes- I'd never even heard of this before LIW. I thought you hand the card to the couple at some point. I have seen people with a pretty drawstring bag, which is what I will most likely do. It gives me a pretty place to put the cards without costing a fortune.

Bathroom basket- not needed, but I don't think it's bad thing to do anyway because you can always re-use those items.

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These are all good points. My only observation as a past bride is on the card box front. How many guests are you expecting? We had 150 and the cards that filled our card box wouldn't have fit in a small shopping bag, let alone a pretty drawstring pouch. We had almost 100 cards! I don't think an elaborate, custom card box is necessary, but when planning this aspect consider the amount of guests/cards you will be receiving.

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Posted by HSsweethearts

e're hvaing 180, so I think you have a good point, Allegra!

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Also on the cardbox/bag front - my RH told me they would not allow us to have a bag. Some people have had envelopes 'stollen' after the bride and groom carried them around so having a safe box type thing - that no one can break into w/out it being obvious is a good idea, but check with the RH first to see what they offer.

For other things to cut out - i agree with a lot that is on here. I actually never thought to cut out limo's but for us we need them just based on the locations of me and FH.

For me - I would skimp on the flowers. There are so many things (especially for CP) that you can add to make them really stand out. Flowers die - and they start to wilt throughout the day, i think its kind of depressing. It's not like the flowers last post your wedding day.

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Posted by HSsweethearts

e're hvaing 180, so I think you have a good point, Allegra!

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