Definitely budget related - weddings

[Tigge50447]

My brother got married on a boat (on the hudson river) it was much cheaper then any of the places in upstate NY. Not sure if you have off seasons but winter rates up here are always cheaper. I planned my wedding (which didn't actually happen, long story) but it was at one of the best locations in our area but in March which was an off date and on a Friday night. They did however they wanted to charge us $75 per person to test the food. which was odd

 

[savannahcat]

Have you thought about a bed & breakfast? We were married (13 years ago) at a beautiful one. We rented all of the rooms (6) for the weekend, but that was our only venue cost. We had about 60 guests and paid around $6K for the entire event (dress inlcuded). Both the ceremony and reception were outdoors, but could have been indoors if necessary, although it would have been tight.

 

[LisaInNc]

July in TN outside? Men in jackets and ties and women in dresses? Add in dancing? I would say definately inside with air conditioning for the reception.

I wish you a lot of luck!

Lisa

 

[kayrosek]

Community centers would definatley be one suggestion we have several around here that are very inexpensive (some as low as 75 for the night). Also unusual hotels. DH and I were married at a local Comfort Suites. Their banquet room was really pretty which was surprising for how cheap it was. We paid $750 for the room, tables, chairs, linens etc and finger food buffet.

 

[B714210]

My DD was married in Disney (on GF beach) in October. Pricey. But, she and groom wanted an at home reception for guests who didn't make the trip to FL. Best money saving idea... we went around to different venues. Looked at the luncheon menus. Prices were 50- 65% cheaper than dinner menus. We asked to have the reception in the evening, but serve the "lunch" portion. Since it was early Nov. and "slow", they OK'd it. No fee for the room, by the way, they were grateful for the business. Bottom line? A beautiful reception at the Hilton Garden Inn, steak and chicken for $12-14 a plate, including beverage and sides. It was cheaper for 175 guests to come to that reception than the rehearsal dinner for 25 in Disney. Call around, and don't give up until you negotiate the wedding DD wants at a price you can afford.

 

[swilshire]

Yep. This is going to be expensive.

Wrote the check today for the selected venue. Went to a "yard sale" at a wedding venue that went out of business and bought a few things.

Looked at dresses Friday. The two front runners weren't too expensive, but DD looked at a little cloth flower that she liked better than the glittery decoration on the strap of the dress. It was $150. A tiny little head band was $180.

We ordered shoes today because DD found some she loved and she was afraid they would be sold out soon because they're a summer style.

It's fun to plan, but definitely a money pit.

Sheila

 

[mommy2_3]

me and DH got married in a park in an enclosed shelter. it was in Dec. so after xmas we got a bunch of things on sale, lights, red flowers, these little holiday bears, ect.... we spent around $2000 for everything. the most expensive thing was the dress. $350. we had his uncles do the video and photo, the cake we got at walmart for $150 (beautiful cake at that!), my mom and stepdad paid for the food (that was our gift) and had a retired judge come and do the cermony for $50, we got a drink fountain at walmart for $50.
i got alot of things at walmart! invites, my veil, headpiece, bouquet (fake), the little flowers for the guys, rose petals, and i made the flower girl basket.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f220/proudmommy2b/wedding/134589-R1-03-21A_004.jpg my mom set the cake up and made it slanted lol

we didnt have the best wedding (long story) but me and DH are married and happy and thats all that matters!

 

[swilshire]

Forgot to add that we have an appointment with the wedding photographer this afternoon. Hope he doesn't want a lot of money up front.

We are going to economize on some things, but DD wants certain things that I can't really argue with. Different things mean a lot to different people and I'm trying to let her lead the way. She's very level headed, so it should be OK.

Sheila

 

[Shyvioletisme]

Forgot to add that we have an appointment with the wedding photographer this afternoon. Hope he doesn't want a lot of money up front.

We are going to economize on some things, but DD wants certain things that I can't really argue with. Different things mean a lot to different people and I'm trying to let her lead the way. She's very level headed, so it should be OK.

Sheila

to me photography is something that you definitely shouldn't cut costs on. These will be the things you have forever left over from your wedding day and a good photographer was the thing with our wedding we wouldn't budge on. It was our most expensive part of the wedding. Definitely don't buy accessories or headband type stuff from a bridal salon. Have your daughter check Etsy for stuff like that. People make AMAZING stuff on there and at much cheaper rates than you can get in a store.

 

[beansmom]

I think you guys should diy whatever you can. I was going to comission a floral headwreath for my ren faire wedding then realized with some silk flowers and a gluegun I can do it myself and have exactly what I want. I made a BEAUTIFUL wreath....and since, my fiance and my gf have both insist i try to make a cottage business from it!

We are also having a very small (6 or so) legal ceremony in Newport, RI in September. I am making a small centerpiece with sand (free from the beach), shells, willowbranches in a large glass container. I made a second beach themed headwreath and purchased my dress for $17 at Burlington Coat factory the other day.

We'll have a small cupcake and finger food 'reception' back at our hotel. It's all what you think is most important. If money is an issue, things have to be compromised on.

Tenn in July? Oy!

 

[swilshire]

to me photography is something that you definitely shouldn't cut costs on. These will be the things you have forever left over from your wedding day and a good photographer was the thing with our wedding we wouldn't budge on.

Well said!

We hired the photographer we met with because we both liked him so much that we knew we'd be heart broken if he booked another wedding on DD's date. I'm sure we could have found cheaper, but not for the quality and attention that we'll get with this person.

He has photographed one of DD's friend's wedding and the shots I've seen are just tremendous.

Sheila

 

[disneywatcher]

When I got married, my mom and I made my center pieces. We hot glued glass candle holders into medium sized globes then added pot pouri around the candle holders. We placed purple candles into the candle holders and hot glued purple ribbon around the top and bottom of the globes and covered the seams with a little silk rose.

My veil was bought on sale (head band) and I took it to the same place that did my dress alterations and they made it detatchable for free. I wore plain white ballet flats that my mom decorated. My aunt and mom bought lace at a store and a plain silk guest book and decorated those themselves. We used lace circles and plastic spoons with kisses for our favors (the tag read "A spoonfull of kisses from the Mr and the Mrs."). We also used the lace circles and pot pouri to make things to be tossed at us when we left the reception although most opted to keep them as favors as well. My mom's friend from church made us a beautiful 2 tiered cake in purple and white. I got my dress from a resale shop but it was brand new still with tags. The dress cost me 500 dollars but was originally priced at around 2k. Dont be afraid to shop around and possibly do some DIY work.