Best budget bridal tips?

[GIGI&MIMI]

My SIL is getting married in June and they are paying for the wedding themselves so they are trying to keep the cost down. They are going for an old Hollywood Glamour theme and are having about 100 guests. It needs to be on a Saturday and there will be alchol (the budget busters)

 

[swilshire]

DH and I were all grown up when we married (28 and 30). Our friends suggested that they provide items for the wedding as our gifts instead of "things" we really didn't need or want. I thought it was a great idea and encouraged it. A coworker did the video, another was the DJ, one made the grooms' cake, one provided the the flowers for the wedding cake, my boss at my second job contributed the food for the casual reception at a discount, a friend did the photos, and so it went. We bought our clothes, part of the food, the drinks, and paid the singer and the minister. That was about it. It was a very cheap wedding, but all enjoyed it and we're no less married 22 years later.

Sheila

 

[clh2]

When my BIL and SIL got married, they bought a very tiny 2-tiered wedding cake. This cake was displayed, and used for the pictures and the cake cutting etc. The rest of the guests were served with cake from sheet cakes. It was far less expensive doing it this way.

When my cousin got married, she wanted a cheesecake from a great local cheesecake company. Again, it was far cheaper to order the different rounds of cakes separately, than it was to order a wedding cake for the same amount of guests.

When DH and I got married, we found someone to take the pictures and us getting the negatives was part of the deal.

 

[zumbergc]

What kind of budget do they have for the 100 guests?
Where to cut costs all depends on what things the bride and groom really want to emphasize, and where they don't mind saving some $$$.

There are lots of ways to save money for weddings. The location of the even could be in a parents home, a park, VFW, church, reception halls, or some place more extravagant.

Some people really care about the photography and not the food.
It all depends, and it kind of depends on what they have been thinking about, dj, band, cd player. A full dinner or just auderves, finger foods. The buffet is cheaper than the plated dinners.

You can rent table center pieces from some places, instead of doing fresh flowers w/ vases.

You can cut corners everywhere, its just every couple is different and need to know where they can and want to save.

Good luck

 

[bjakmom]

Just subscribing - DDs boyfriend (who we LOVE ) just told me he ordered her engagement ring !!

 

[bookgirl]

Have a "signature" drink instead of a bar. Saturday morn...have mimosas, saturday afternoon.....sangria, Saturday night....either wine, champage or a fruity cosmo or lemon martini.

These can be premaid (no bartender) and served by pouring only. Plus it can be done way cheaper than an open bar, unless you are having a cash bar and you only have to pay the server.

I second the sheet cakes for the quests, they taste better since they don't have to have the decorative icing, and they are much easier to cut.

 

[dimimi]

Just a couple of ideas...

How about a wedding cake from a friend who enjoys making them.

We used dried flowers for our wedding. It was in Feb. in Cleveland and we were afraid the cold would hurt real flowers. Now we have the flowers in an arrangement on the wall and we paid a lot less.

You could have a friend take pictures with a digital camera and get them developed. (We have seen some beautiful pictures from digital cameras)

They could also do very simple centerpieces. We have seen some really fancy centerpieces that are really pricey.

Have fun planning.

 

[writersblock42]

I did my wedding for fairly cheap and in less than a week...a deployment wedding. We got a small one tier wedding cake, skipped out on the DJ and just made a CD to play, we got free site rental because of the amount of food we ordered (the one thing my mom really wanted to be nice), we had a friend do the photography (beware: this was actually my one regret-the pics were so-so), we only had some flowers, skipped out on the bridesmaids, and groomsmen, purchased a used wedding dress, had the wedding in a church that we attended reducing the church fees. Just remember that not all wedding have to have a full dinner. Some weddings that I have been to just had light fare or desserts or tea. An afternoon wedding can have finger sandwiches, tea, soup and salad, a late evening wedding can have dessert, coffee and ice cream a morning wedding could have brunch. The flowers can come from a grocery store instead of a florist. Or here is an stranger idea-some high schools have a floral dept and would be willing to design the flowers. Basically decide what is most important-the food, the music, the photography, the video and slurge on that and cut out what you don't need.

 

[momlificient]

The single best budget bridal tip I have doesn't apply to this situation.

It is.....have a small wedding! We did and it was the best choice we could have made. We had an intimate dinner with our closet friends and family.

I also had access to a wholesale flower market. That, plus a little background working in flower shops as a kid, and viola i had beautiful center pieces and two bouquets for under $100 bucks. I also did the flowers for my sisters wedding. Really its amazing how awesome a couple of candles surrounded by rose petals looks. Its stunning, and totally cheap.

 

[momlificient]

Oh one other thing I looked into - small tress as a decoration. Then you can donate them to the arbor foundation or a park for a tax deduction!

 

[casndan]

My answer probably doesn't apply at all but me and DH eloped, I mean truly eloped...no one knew we got married (except my mom because she would have shot me) The day after we got married we got some of the invitations from the craft store, printed them up ourself (looked great and MUCH cheaper, and of course in our situation faster) We sent out those "invitations" and instead of it being a true wedding invitation it said Suprise! We Eloped....I loved the phone calls that I got as people recieved them! So I seem to have gone off on a tagent..point of the story I skipped the wedding and just had a great reception saved thousands!

 

[i3utterfli82]

My husband and I also paid for our own wedding. We ended up having it on a cruise ship and it was the best decision we could have made...everything was taken care of for us.

However, my tip is this. When you are engaged and soon to be married there are lots and lots of novelty items that are just too cute and you just want to buy...Well don't! You'll never use them again after the day. Also brides worry a ton about favors and really is is just an added expense, especially when the wedding is over 100 people. It s the little things that add up that you don't think about that can make the wedding go over budget.

 

[branv]

I always recommend www.freshroses.com for very reputable, pretty flowers. You have to make them yourself, but if friends or family are willing to help the day before it's worth it for pretty, budget flowers. I've always been happy with them, and I know martha stewart wedding boards talk about them alot.

Don't ever ever ever buy the veil from a bridal store. Though you can find them at bridal stores, I ordered from a bigger selection online of partially prepped veils that you make yourself. All you have to do is pull a thread, and it gathers it at one end. Sew it to a comb and voila! It cost me $12. I just saw the exact same type of veil at David's Bridal for $80. Puhlease.

I always tell people about doing their weddings on a budget that the important thing is that less is more. It's not about doing it ALL on a budget, it's about doing it WELL on a budget. Too many people try to do everything with a small budget, so they end up with a bunch of cheap or scary looking products and bad vendors. I especially believe this about receptions. I believe you owe it to your guests to either feed them truly tasty food, or don't feed them at all and have the reception at an off dinner hour. People who love you and don't just consider your wedding an opportunity to party on your dime will understand if your budget only allows for a few hors d'oeuvres, a cake and punch. But what they won't understand is getting indigestion from dry broiled chicken w/ brown broccoli florets I know I would rather my loved ones keep their money than waste it on chicken or salmon jerky. Everyone always remembers the food...whether it's good or bad. Better that they just remember a really really good cake.

You can buy a lot of candles for a good price at Ikea.

I bought my wedding shoes at DSW warehouse vs. a bridal salon or department store. I saved about $50.

Ask to borrow a petticoat..or a veil even. I can guarantee everyone knows at least one bride with one stored away. Also ask around to borrow jewelry. In fact, my best friend offered to let me use her beautiful wedding tiara but my head was too large LOL.

Another warning: unless you really know the person (not even relatives and good friends are always reliable) or get lucky, you get what you pay for with a photographer. I'm not saying it's not possible to get a good deal, but I've read way more horror stories than success when people go with a photog "who's a steal"

How I saved money: I could not afford most minimums required for evening receptions. I also could not afford a bar or dancing (besides, DH's dad and extended family doesn't believe in drinking, so no loss). I got around people expecting a big party by having a lunch reception at Maggianos...which also had half the minimum of the evening receptions. We served champagne punch instead of having an open bar and had tons of amazing food. It's a good thing we didn't have dancing, everyone could barely walk out of there as it was. I also saved those hidden fees you get on rentals, etc, by having it at a restaurant.

 

[Cindi0511]

My tip is with the photographer: call your local newspaper and ask for the photography department. I was a reporter way back then, and our assistant photographer did our wedding perfectly. My BIL just got married on Dec. 31, and the photography places wanted a minimum of $1,600. I asked a newspaper photographer if she did weddings when she was taking pics of my kids at a Pumpkin Patch, and she got me in touch with her boss. So, for $600, my new SIL has professional pics to go along with all the candids everyone else shot. The cake wasn't perfect (Publix forgot the raspberry swirl stuff), the wedding started 45 mins. late, but their pictures are fantastic and will last a lifetime, barring hurricanes, etc.

P.S. They paid for their own wedding, too, and she found her dress, brand new at Goodwill of all places for $100, and it truly was gorgeous. Never worn, and much more reasonable for something you'll only wear once!!!

 

[mjantz]

I bought my wedding glasses (for doing the hooked arms/drinking punch thing) at Garden Ridge for $2 each. The florist made 2 bows for them & they looked really nice. My flowers were a wedding gift from a family friend & the friend who baked the cake didn't charge for the fountain as her gift.
I agree that they need to figure out whats important, spend money on that & economize on the rest. I was intimately involved with a wedding (not my own!) where they tried too hard to save money & everyone ended up miserable. The Mother of the Bride & the Bride were even fighting over who ended up with what after the wedding! It was horrid especially when you consider that the marriage didn't even last 5 years.

 

[rt2dz]

I haven't read the posts, so forgive me if I am repeating.

Skip the flowers. Or at least limit them. Do big bows on the end the pues with tule if you need something. Have the bridesmaid carry a single flower and then have the bride just carry a smaller bouquet of the same flower (very old Hollywood). Use whatever is in-season. Or go with fake flowers, but if you're going slim on the flowers, it generally won't save you a whole lot. Skip the flowers as centerpieces. At my wedding (mainly because I'm not a flower fan) we had vases in the center of the tables filled with pretty colored rocks.

You said it had to be on a Saturday, but you didn't say it had to be a night wedding. What about an early wedding? If you go for a 10 am wedding, you generally spend less on the site and don't have to do a full bar--beer & wine or even just champagne (very classy). You can, but don't have to, go with a full meal either. Extensive appetizers could be done and it might just cost a heck of a lot less. Especially if you check into having a friend or two be in charge of it by getting an upscale grocery store or Sam's club to supply them. You could even have someone do it themselves if a kitchen is accessable.

Pick your site carefully. If you do need a full meal, think about an upscale/fine dining restuarant. Don't rule out bed & breakfastes, many are beautiful and you might score one at a very low price. Think about someplace that can host both the cermony and the reception. Remember, many churches charge even members. Some don't charge members as long as they were members for so long before they book the ceremony. Check into that. You can also get married not at a church & just book an officiant. Again, don't forget they charge too. My reception was actually on an old paddle boat on a local lake. The boat was so beautiful it required no decorating and the cruise was a beautiful touch.

Check out oriental trading for wedding favors (and decorations), also Shindigz. Little bubbles or bells are great. Also, order the invites from a catalog wholesaler; much cheaper than any bridal shop or card shop. Use a DJ instead of a band.

Also, don't go overboard on the dress. Prom season will be coming up soon. Look at the pretty white/Ivory dresses at the department stores. That is actually how I picked my bridesmaid dresses. Everyone looked good in them, they spent less than $100 (~$75) and everyone actually wore them again too! I also only wore slippers ($4) instead of expensive shoes; I had a long dress so no one saw them & I was super comfortable. I didn't wear a veil either, it just looked so cumbersome & uncomfortable. I did have a tierra, a whopping $19! Most bigger cities also have resale bridal shops for brides that didn't see the neccesity of keeping the dress, or had a wedding canceled. The dress I wore (long story) came from a mass merchandiser bridal shop on a clearance sale for $99. I didn't really like that dress (I wanted MY dress), but a lot of people really ooed & awed over it. What I thought was really ugly (big appliques all over it), I had the seamstress remove. A dress could be a diamond in the rough.

I didn't skimp on the cake. I wanted the biggest, most beautiful cake anyone had ever seen and I wanted it to taste like a dream. I got it all. People still talk about that cake. I can really tell when I'm served bad cake or from some secondary cake in the back because the couple didn't spend the money on the right size cake. Or worse, frosted foam and used a sheet cake for all from Kroger. I know it and that is what I remember most. But it is a way to cut costs.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Do a brunch in place of dinner....research vendors online....network with others for services....anyone friends with florist, caterer etc? Lots of options...just have to think about how you want to trim your budget and where! We had an Intimate Wedding at WDW...instead of a big sit down dinner ($$$$$$) for 28 guests, we did the Luau, everone loved it and we made it a Tropical theme, married at Poly...well, we did do our rehearsal at Narcoosee's.....not everyone cme, well almost....but my father in law paid! Phew! Good luck planning...remember...most importantly...when its not fun anymore...re evaluate things!! Its suppose to be fun..a bit stressful,, but fun!!!

 

[Lisa_M]

I don't know where the wedding will be, so that really determines the cost. We had ours last June in a church hall. It was big and renovated and nice and cost 500 to rent. We hired a caterer and had a buffet dinner. Came out to $13pp for adults and she did not charge us for kids. We had roast chicken, roast beef, sausage and peppers, roasted potatoes, salad, beans, and macaroni. I know this isn't the most fancy wedding food ever, but it's what we could afford and the food was excellent. My family made up some appetizer trays ahead of time, and then the caterer just put them out. We had a bar, but it was limited. We had beer on tap, wine, pop, and very few liquors (nothing fancy). We paid for what we used.

My parents decorated the hall, my cousin made the centerpieces. I bought my invites at Target on clearance (I really liked them, clearance was just a bonus) and one of my father's friend has a printing company and printed them up for us. DH and I purchased a really nice video camera and my cousin taped our wedding and reception for us and we had our camera for our honeymoon to Disney.

I shopped around for flowers and had a florist do them and she did a nice job, but it was pretty cheap. My mother makes cakes, so she made my wedding cake. MIL made pew bows for the church. I got a great photographer by just calling around. Our wedding was great and around 5k (not including honeymoon or our rings . We had about 250 people and had a fabulous time. If you want a link to the pictures or have any questions... pm me.

It can be done, but Feb to June is a very slim frame for planning. We were able to get some good deals because we had some time. Started planning January 2005 got married June 2006.

Oh and be sure that the dress she buys is truly the one. I have three and now have to sell 2. They were all very pretty. I got the wedding crazies at that point.

 

[BARBARAAPPLE]

TRY LOOKING AT THIS SITE IT HAS SOME GOOD IDEAS IN THE DISCUSSION BOARD

http://forums.weddingsolutions.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7&page=2&order=desc

 

[KelNottAt]

Skip the favors. They were the first things I cut from my budget and nobody noticed. (Maybe because it allowed us to add an hour to the open bar?? )