Give me your best budget wedding ideas!

[fakereadhed]

We called the local universities and got someone at their school of music to play the harp. Lots of college students do weddings to make extra $ and it was really inexpensive.

 

[RooRach0906]

DH and I got married lil over 3 years and didnt spend a lot on anything. The ways I saved money that might help you are: I found a floral warehouse in my area where they let me buy my flowers in bundles. I think it was like 50 caranations per bundle for $12 for the normal ones (white) and 40 for $14 for the purple speciality ones (I had to have) and then I went to a regular floral shop and got some roses no more than a dozen for other things. We then put together my bouqets and botierneers (sorry I can not spell) and did the arrangements for the tables with short vases I bought at dollar tree. Saved me a ton of money in flowers alone. I had bought some really thin purple fabric for an awesome price at walmart and it went in my archway (I purchased the archway) at the church and on the head table at the reception. I found an awesome online website for my invations, thank yous, unity candle, napkins and we got scrolls with a verse on them for a really good price... cheaper than any place I priced locally. My mom has always been good with decorating cakes that taste yummy so she made my cake. I got the flower girls baskets (2) at walmart on clearance for $5 total. Cake topper was also at walmart and around $15 but not bad. Flower girl dresses (I didnt buy my sisters did) were purchased at burlington coat and went really well with the everything and they were $20 for one and $25 for the other. For our favours we went a purchase a big set of pens from Sam's for like $20 and I had nice printer paper that was like watercolored (different designs look to it) and made little tags that I tied with purple ribbon to the pens that said "Writing a new chapter of our lives." James and Rachel and the date. People did comment on the cute play on words and seemed to like to get something that could be used. That is all I can think of for right now. If you would like to see some pictures let me know I will however tell you that I only have snapshots... my friend who is great at photography took the pics and they didnt turn out but since I didnt pay for them I was good with only having snapshots people gave us. Plus I got my one sister to videotape it with my camera so I have that and my memories.

Like others have said enjoy it all that matters is that you will be with the one you love. My DH and I are very happy together and looking forward to many years to come.

 

[ohanaMAMA]

ebay ebay ebay! I got my dress for $160 and my daughters dresses for $20 a piece. Also check out oriental trading co and walmart. Youd be surprised at what they have.

There is NO SUCH THING as a budget catered affair. just wont happen. So in order to save $$ What I would do is make a list of your DREAM wedding. everything and anything. Then prioritize that list. Work as far down the list that you can with-in your budget. Then as you economize and find cheaper ways to accomplish your list you can add things as you can afford them.

I will say this though. DH and I had a big wedding 6 years ago. We look back now and wish we'd have had our family and friends meet us on the beach and then went out to dinner together. Its so much less about the details than I thought it was.

 

[marius97]

Look at different days of the week to get married... DW and I got married on a sunday at 1:00. When we went to the different services that we needed (flowers, dj, photographer, etc.) all of their prices were different since it was a sunday. Some were going to charge double because they don't usually work sundays...didn't use them. Others gave almost a 50% discount since they didn't usually work sundays and saw it as a bonus for themselves...suffice to say, we went with the discounted ones. We ended up paying for our wedding with like $8000 total.

 

[Earstou]

We called the local universities and got someone at their school of music to play the harp. Lots of college students do weddings to make extra $ and it was really inexpensive.

My dd called our high school and asked the orchestra teacher to recommend a quartet from the school. (She spent grades 4-12 in the orchestra so she was very comfortable doing this.)
It was very beautiful and really added a lot to the ceremony.
The flowergirl would "direct" each time they played.

 

[trish4bruce]

I second ordering your wedding dress online. I ordered mine and paid 60% less for the same dress that I wanted from a local store. It was perfect and I had no problems. Just make sure you know your measurments and check the sizing chart online.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

The idea of an outdoor wedding is lovely. The actuality of an outdoor wedding can be horrible: sweating heat, bugs, rain, hurling rain, more rain, way too windy.... you never know. And I hate wearing any kind of heels outdoors they sink into the grass, so even if you plan on flats, many of your female guests will wear a dress, even a casual sun dress, and some sort of heel which will go right into the lawn.

I would take photos outside and find an indoor place for the reception.

Many churches and VFW's have halls to rent. Skip the whole sit down dinner. In fact have a late afternoon wedding and just do a dessert buffet with a wedding cake. No need for alcohol. People can live without alcohol.

I love the idea of asking family to bring desserts. Honestly, I think when people rsvp many will say, "Can I do anything?" Money is tight everywhere.

I went to school in Wisconsin and it was very common for people to bring food for the dessert table. I went to one wedding where everyone brought a dish to pass.

You can stand around and actually chat with everyone. People can catch up. There is no need for music, unless your friends and family are huge into dancing. If that is the case bring on the music.

As for your dress where whatever makes you feel beautiful. Same with your girls.

Why people spend a fortune on weddings, instead of focusing on the ceremony and a lovely party I will never know.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

check with local fire depts. for chairs and tables. (If you know someone that volunteers-even better...)

Do something simple for invitations...people just throw them out anyway...Go green and do online invites...

While having a seamstress make your dress is an awesome idea-be sure the get a quote before you go that route...My mom just bought a jacket and wanted different buttons-she spent more to get the buttons changed then she did for the jacket!

Get the book Bridal Bargains...it has a ton of tips!

I also agree with seeing if a local school can do the music. My SIL did this with a local college string quartet and they were amazing!

Is it possible to do breakfast instead of lunch or dinner? Costs might be cheaper.

HTHs

 

[crisi]

We did a do it yourself wedding. During the peak of our friends getting married, I did a dozen wedding cakes as gifts, a girlfriend of mine did a dozen sets of wedding flowers, another photographed a dozen weddings. Friends gifted music and DJs (I know very few people who actually PAID for a DJ, we'd just have a friend with a CD player - and with an MP3 player - its even easier). I wore an off white off the rack cocktail dress.

 

[It's A Small World]

Buy as much online as you can. I found my gown at a shop,but found it half the price online. All my BM dresses were bought online. My FG dress was bought off of ebay. In fact, so was my veil and tiara. I lso got the most awesome wedding invites through mygasby dot com.

 

[daleswife]

Since its an afternoon wedding, why not just do finger sandwiches. You can buy the trays at sams club and make the sammies and cut them into quarters. YOu can also get veggie trays, fruit trays, cheese trays, etc..... and Cake. Sounds good.

Cute Idea if you wanted to do favors, we did this for our reception, Take a plastic spoon and put two hershey kisses in them and cover with a piece of tule and a ribbon with a little card that says "a spoon full of kisses from the mr & mrs." I still think thats a cute Idea.

We got married in Gatlinburg TN in a cabin by a Hillbilly priest and it was awesome....cost us $75....loved every minute.

 

[Kriddlet]

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions. I am definately excited, and have my work cut out for me, but sooo looking forward to it!

 

[dfchelbay]

As my gift to the bride and groom, I will make a couple boxes of tissue flowers. You choose the color of kleenex and I will make and send to you. Can't get more budget friendly than free.

 

[3boymthr]

Just a thought about the outdoor wedding vs. renting a locale issue.

My DB - the one who had a wedding for 100+ for under $2,000 - rented a pavilion that came complete with chairs and tables and a roof and a cement floor for $150 from the local ELKS. Just a thought - something to look into. It was still an outdoor wedding, as the pavilion didn't have walls all the way around. The other bonus, the rental also included all the grounds of the lodge including use of their volleyball, badminton, horseshoe and bocce courts which the kids loved.