I really want to have traditional and more formal wedding. But, that's extremely expensive. My boyfriend and I aren't official engaged yet. But, we are saving money for it.
I was thinking a realistic budget for our vision and for our area of the country, is about 15K-17K. I've done some research and have found that about 10K will go to the use of the reception venue (including linens, silverware, chairs, tables) and the food and drink.
That would only leave us with about 5K-7K for everything else. We live in such a high cost of living area, that money doesn't go far at all. We want a traditional Catholic Ceremony and a semi-formal reception.
I know I could DIY a lot of things. But, I'm not really crafty. Also, I don't want things looking too homemade or cheap.
What are some realistic money saving tips. I know to use less flowers and to make my own programs. But, what about other things. I want things to look really great and professional.
Realistic Money Saving Ideas?
Here are the ways I saved money:
I checked eBay for deals...found my beautiful 10-inch tall clear glass bud vases at a dollar store (they look like I spent $5 on each vase!)...made my own programs....went to an antique store for jewelry and saved over $300 on a necklace....shopped around for vendors and went only with what we NEEDED, not wanted....did my own make-up....bought my guest photo matte frame on eBay for $9 and saved myself from buying the SAME one online for $59.99!
Tons of ways to save...and I get what you mean about not wanting your wedding to look like you tried to save some cash. Just take each item (guest book, ring bearer pillow, flower girl basket, favors, etc.) and check eBay first...or see what you can make yourself.
Here's a GREAT recommendation too...I bought my custom-made veil from a company called Occansey Designs and she has her own website... www.occanseydesigns.com. I paid $60 for mine (shipping included) and saved over $100 rather than buying it at David's Bridal...they wanted $175 for the EXACT same one! My veil looked gorgeous, so I was happy!!
For our flowers on the tables...we used one tall and one short Gerber daisy...one light pink, one a deeper pink. Simple, elegant and cheaper than a total bouquet!!
I'm trying to think of other ways...but those are the ones that come to mind!
BEST of luck!!
Reply:We only spent around 10k on our wedding and it was a knock your socks off kind of day. Surf the net, and surf the net some more looking for deals. Ebay is great, craigslist, is another one. As for flowers we used real ones in the bouquets and fake ones everywhere else. Safeway florist makes beautiful flower arrangements, and wedding flowers for about 1/3 the price. Look for party supplies as opposed to wedding. Wedding supplies cost more!
Reply:Don't spend a ton of money on stuff at the church. (flowers, candles etc.) Find a church that lools beautiful already with stained glass and just add a few flowers. Nothing major. NO ONE will remember if you did or didn't have the pews decorated. Don't use roses or anything that is super expensive.
Do wine and beer and allow for a cash bar for hard liquor. Or just have an early wedding like 11am so the reception is lunch time and people will not get smashed or expect a huge party.
For centerpieces you can always use glass bowls with fruit or water with floating candles.
Reply:-Cut you guest list. You can have better stuff with less people. I'm having everything top of the line, and having lobster and an open bar... but we only have 45 guests (50 at most). I'm getting married on an exclusive beach front resort. I rather do this than inviting 200 people and serve pasta on a community hall.
-Do not go to third party vendors. Most of those "wedding vendors" are the 3 middle man. Do some reasearch! Go to the manufacturers directly and save! Google the words, and compare , compare , compare!
-Skip the so called "traditions". To be honest, there is no such thing. You don;t need a flower girl or a ring bearer, you don't need a tacky fearther pen or a $50 dollar unity candle. Think outside the box and do not fall for stupid and tacky and expensicve cliches such as wedding bells, useless disposable cameras, 10 bridesmaids, limos and all of that. You can have a beautiful and innovative wedding without all the other stuff.
-Flowers. Go to a supermarket florist!!! you don't have to pay all of the overhead cost from a florist. You can show them a picture of the most extravagant flower arrangement and they can duplicate it for fraction of what a florist would charge.
-Ebay. You can get some good stuff from there. I have not shop from there, but I know brides that have gotten stuff unexpensivly.
-Do not fall fo rthe "craft store" trap. They are EXPENSIVe and it can cost just as much as getting it professionally done (and sans the stress). For examble, I went over there to check some shells for my wedding and for a tiny bag of shells they wanted $20 dollars. I just bought from a shell store in Florida a box full of premium starfish with shipping for $64 dollars. On the craft store, they wanted $5 dollars for EACH star fish. The same bag of shells was $4.oo
-Invitations. Do noy buy from wedding vendors. They will rip you a new one. I bought mine from a paper manufacturer and saved at least $400 . The SAME invitations I've quoted for $500 with all of the inner envelopes, response card etc. and I got them from the manufacturer (SAME!!!) for...brace your self... $69.00 . That gave me enough money to have them printed professionally (I don't DIY either) and money to get them to a professional caligrapher. See? It's possible. Here is the invite link:
http://lcipaper.com/
or even cheaper go to Target, or Party America and they have VERY NICE DIY invitation kits. They are truly beautiful and they are about $40 dollars. You will be surprised. If you have a decent laser ink printer you can do this.
-Ask for discounts. I did, and I got them. I got no minimum consumtion on the beach resort, I got 50% off the DJ and 10% off the phographer. My wedding will be on a Sunday, so you can negotiate the sunday rates.
-Personalization is expensive and very tacky. Monogramed paper napkins, personalized ribbons, matchbooks are SOOOO eighties and no one used that trash. Avoid trinkets and be practical..it will be WAY more elegant.
- Do note spend and arm and a leg on your wedding dress. It's not very wise.
-Budget. And stick to it.
-Get married off-season September-April have very reduced prices for the same venue.
I hope that I helped.
Good luck
Reply:You are over-paying if the china, table linens, food and drink are costing you $10,000.
Consider a buffet style dinner where most of those caterers provide the dishes (be it china or paper) no one is going to have an issue eating off paper plates. Your marriage is not about paper plates.
Think about using silk flowers instead of real flowers, make your own centerpieces, candles go a long way.
You marriage is about you and your fiance' getting married and sharing your life, its not about having some glitzy party. Rethink whats really important to you guys. There is no reason to spend that much money or go into debt over a wedding.
jmho
Reply:I agree with not falling for the over-priced, cliche wedding crap. Not only do these things cost a lot, they look so unorginal and fake to me. Keep the table decorations simple for a more elegant look, dim the lighting, use lots of tealight candles (these are very cheap and look fabulous), instead of having whole floral arrangements, use a few stems and sprinkle petals to make it look like more.
Find a few unique things that look like they would cost a lot but really do not and will really wow people. For example we are getting a horse-drawn carriage it is so beautiful and only cost around $300, I saved that much by buying one of those invitation craft kits (they looked great, by the way) In the end what will wow people more, heavier stock invitations that will get tossed or seeing you and your groom ride away in a fantasy carriage that no one would really expect.
Reply:Okay, first of all ignore the creep above me. It's perfectly possible to make something look and feel expensive without blowing the bank. Here are some tips:
1. Have the wedding during the week rather than on a weekend. Lots of places charge more for these dates.
2.. Cut down or eliminate the alcohol.
3. Get your wedding cake from some place like Wal-mart. They'll taste just the same and who's to know where it's from? Also, if you're planning on having it served, see about getting one long sheet cake and a smaller wedding cake. Guests won't be able to taste the difference!
4. Read any and all contracts very carefully! Make sure that all of the details are in writing and that you understand them all before you pay anything!
5. Contact your local college and see if they can recomend any photography students who would like to shoot your wedding. They'll usually much cheaper and are glad to have the work!
6. Book in advance.
7. Haggle!
Here are some websites that might help:
http://wwww.fireyourweddingplanner.com/?...
http://shop.perimart.com/home.php?cat=23...
Reply:Here is the deal. I read your blurb carefully and slowly...I want our wedding to look and feel like it cost 30K instead of 17. Guess what? You will have to save 30K or you won't be happy. END OF STORY.
sports shoes
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment