Wedding on a budget tips

[dreamin_disney]

I just saw the commercial last night for the $99 sale.

cool! I looked on the site last night. The dresses are so pretty. I weigh 189 and need to lose some weigh or better yet inches from my stomach and waste-lol! One thing i was disappointed in was that the magority are strapless dresses. Me being top heavy my girls sag and i would need a miracle crane bra to hold them up-lol! seriously what does a girl like me do to wear a strapless dress?

 

[dreamin_disney]

IOne thing to consider is that you want to have a Catholic church ceremony. The catholic weddings I've been to lasted about 1 1/2 hours. You might want to give yourself a little more time in case it does go over an hour. Then if the ceremony is shorter, use the extra time to go to the cemetery.

Congrats and best of luck for a wonderful marriage.

Thank you. I cant believe the ceremony was over an hour. I will definetly have to ask on Monday because that will make a big difference.

I havent been to Joannes to see what wedding stuff they have. I'm going to keep track of every penny spent in Excel.

I also went to the dollar tree and they had some cute white pillow boxes. The mini boxes are white with sliver double hearts. These will match the heart theme. 20 for 1.00. I didnt ge them. Guess i dont want to start spending until hall is reserved.

 

[problemchild718]

We got married 2 years ago on the beach of the lake DH grew up on. The Catholic church wanted $800.00 to annul my prior 16 year marriage which resulted in my 3 beautiful children. The priest couldn't explain to me how that woudn't make them illegitimate so I left and have never gone back.

People still comment on our wedding. We didn't do favors-do you really use that stuff anyway? We had a candy table with clear bags for people to put it in. The guests loved it. I also attended a wedding that had an ice cream bar with different flavors and toppings-that was nice. A friend also made a donation to her parents favorite charity in their memory and put a card on each table "In lieu of favors a donation has been made in memory of the bride's parents_________ and ________ to celebrate this day.

Walmart has some great glass or tin containers for $3 or $4 each.
Friends just got married last weekend-they bought lanterns at Home Goods and sat them on soaked floral foam and encircled it with flowers. They added a candle and it looked great.

David's Bridal has alot of decent dresses for $99 if your not too picky. I second the rental of the dress-great money saver and allows you to wear a dress you could never afford.

See if you can get an earlier time at the church and serve brunch or lunch-saves you a ton of money. If you have brunch, you could just serve coffee, tea, juice and mamosas.

Skip the drinks totally-or let people know in advance its a cash bar-I never bring $$ to a wedding.

 

[mncherokee]

Church is 150.00 for catholic church and Priest wont make us do the 6 months consueling. QUOTE]

I have been married 3 times...

1st in a Lutheran Church
2nd in Vegas
3rd in a Baptist Church

I did not have counceling for the 1st 2 marriages. I did the 6 months with marriage #3 and I believe that it grounded me for the marriage. I know you have been together a long time and you think
you know each other really well, but there is something about marriage... and people change after you are married. I don't mean that it is better or worse... just different.

Just think about it... after all of this time, don't you want a solid foundation for your marriage? .

 

[dreamin_disney]

Church is 150.00 for catholic church and Priest wont make us do the 6 months consueling. QUOTE]

I have been married 3 times...

1st in a Lutheran Church
2nd in Vegas
3rd in a Baptist Church

I did not have counceling for the 1st 2 marriages. I did the 6 months with marriage #3 and I believe that it grounded me for the marriage. I know you have been together a long time and you think
you know each other really well, but there is something about marriage... and people change after you are married. I don't mean that it is better or worse... just different.

Just think about it... after all of this time, don't you want a solid foundation for your marriage? .

I understand. It took me so long to finally say ok. I was to worried things wouldnt workout or us. He is my best friend and has been there for me when my mom was ill. We both come from divorced homes and have never had positive father figures to be there for us. We've been there for each other in good times, hard times, sad times and happy times. I think 11 years have made us stronger. I waited so long because I wanted to make sure this would work and he wouldnt run out like my Dad did. Every relationship has ups and downs but never once have we split or spent a few days away from each other because of fighting/disagreements. He's only been away 3 different times only for one night each and that was for camping with his Moms side of the family. I dont like camping and sleeping in tents-lol! Funny he wont stay away longer than one day. Pretty much we have both grown so much and its finally time. I'm done letting the fear hold me back. I leave things in Gods hands and if it meant to be we will grow Old together(we are 36). We have one dd and I'm ready to add to our family with one more child.

BTW- we bought our home when dd was 1 month old and have been a family ever since. I sometimes look back and think wow, i cant believe how fast time flew by

 

[winnapooh]

cool! I looked on the site last night. The dresses are so pretty. I weigh 189 and need to lose some weigh or better yet inches from my stomach and waste-lol! One thing i was disappointed in was that the magority are strapless dresses. Me being top heavy my girls sag and i would need a miracle crane bra to hold them up-lol! seriously what does a girl like me do to wear a strapless dress?

Hehe! I have the same problem...well, they make this strapless "shelf" basically...believe me, it will work! When you go to Davids, you'll get to try one on with the dresses. I bought it on the spot (and actually have used it with other dresses since). When I got married (4 years ago), I told the girl helping me absolutely no strapless, but ended up with a dress that had lace at the top (along with the straps) and still required the strapless bra. However, I did try on some other dresses that had straps (I saw one in the add recently, so they are still around). Just trust me though; they will be able to help you!

 

[starann]

We ordered personalized shot glass for our wedding (not as cheap as some ideas, but useful!) then filled them with hershey kisses. On some of the HK we put personalized stickers on the bottom (I ordered them off of E-bay for under $10) that had our names, the date and double hearts. Had I known about them before, I may have just went with the kisses and labels!!!! LOL!

The candy table is a neat ideas as well...you can go to BJ/Sams/Costco to get bulk.

I always try to think of favors that aren't dust collectors, that people won't throw away/sell at a yard sale when they had the chance. For our boys baptisms we gave picture frames with picts of the boys in the baptism outfit.

Anotehr neat/cheap/space saver is $1 scratch off tickets as favors, in little envelopes that say "Lucky in Love" This way people aren't stuck with junk that they have to bring out when you are visiting, and maybe someone will 'hit' big....either way it only cost you a dollar per person plus the cost of the envelope!

 

[dreamin_disney]

well last night we went to look at the hall that was cheaper. It looked totally different then we remembered but then again, that was 7 years ago-lol! it looked smaller but there was a metting so we couldnt really look at it in ful view. DFL told us about another Ameri legion but its 750.00 total but its way better. Theres also another one closer to home for about 700.00. I was hoping it to be cheaper but you have to be a memebr for threee years at the 700.00 one and the 750.00 is member discount plus 34.00 for two security guard per hour-ouch. DFL said to let him know quickly what we want and he will see what he can help us with.

I do have a question DML mentioned wanting to be in the wedding. DFI said she was joking but she mentioned it when we first got together. My mom is deceast but his parent are divorced. Are the parents suppose to walk down the asile before the flowergirl and ring boy??? She said she could walk behind my dd???? Or are the parent come in with the rest of the guest and just sit in the front???


DFI's step mom is also making a few suggestions



oh and MIL suggested we have a money tree. can this be done tastefully???? Some things will be changed from some family wedding in the past. I wont have the father daughter dance(dads never realy been here for me but we do keep intouch-BIL might walk me down) and i dont want a dollar dance. DFi's family is mostly women so dfi will be the one dancing while i just stand there. MIL told dfi to put in the info about the money tree but i really dont want to. I'm sure things will get even more interesting-lol!

 

[Promomx2]

I'm not sure how the money tree works and if people are still doing it. I'm suggesting you post a question on the wedding boards. Everyone there is super sweet and I'm sure there's someone who that will know about the money tree.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I'm not sure how the money tree works and if people are still doing it. I'm suggesting you post a question on the wedding boards. Everyone there is super sweet and I'm sure there's someone who that will know about the money tree.

Thanks. I'll have to check out the wedding board . I thkought it was just for disney weddings. I've been really busy so still havent decided on a hall. FIL has been calling us a few times a day to speed it up-lol!

 

[cajunbaby1]

I just happened to be in our local Dollar Tree store the other day and they had a ton of party things. Like those "crystal" serving plates and candy dishes. A lot of the large plastic clear trays for veggies, etc. and even wedding decorations. Those things you would buy for nuts, candy, etc really adds up and then your stuck with them afterwards. We have a a place called the Paper shack that always has those type of dishes, cups, etc on sale.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Just a few thoughts for you -

If you don't want to do the dollar dance / dollar tree type stuff, don't. DH and I said absolutely no way would we do it.

For your MIL to be involved, can she do a reading of some sort? We had my mom and a family friend of DH's each do one for us (his mom died a while ago)

As far as food, you may not want to do it yourself. Or at least get some help. We planned on doing that, and then some friends of DH's offered to do the catering. Thank gosh, because with everything else to do, I would have run out of time. Also, talk to some local restaurants. It's not always that expensive to order large amounts of take out stuff. We did it for our rehearsal dinner - take out from the italian place down the road was $150 for 20 people (salad, chicken alfredo, lasagna, bread, drinks, and desert). We just set up a buffet in the church hall - as long as we cleaned it up afterward, there was no charge for it.

Congratulations, and have fun planning.

Jen

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) We owned a bridal store for over 20-years.
2) Though we sold dresses, we couldn't understand monster/expensive weddings.
3) WHEN ASKED, we gave hints on less expensive weddings.
4) We recommended contacting a country club or catering facility
. . . request 5-hrs hall rental (they could squeeze in another party earlier)
. . . request "heavy hors d'oeuvres" instead of sit down or buffet meal
. . . request a bartender
. . . request minimal tables (less tables increases walking and dancing space)

NOTE: The benefit of heavy hors d'oeuvres, other than a greatly reduced price from a meal price, is that people can mingle more. The bride and groom also get to mingle as they are not confined to a head table. EVERY bride who came back to us after this type of reception thanked us for the hint because it was more friendly and relaxed and cheaper.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Just a few thoughts for you -

If you don't want to do the dollar dance / dollar tree type stuff, don't. DH and I said absolutely no way would we do it.

For your MIL to be involved, can she do a reading of some sort? We had my mom and a family friend of DH's each do one for us (his mom died a while ago)

As far as food, you may not want to do it yourself. Or at least get some help. We planned on doing that, and then some friends of DH's offered to do the catering. Thank gosh, because with everything else to do, I would have run out of time. Also, talk to some local restaurants. It's not always that expensive to order large amounts of take out stuff. We did it for our rehearsal dinner - take out from the italian place down the road was $150 for 20 people (salad, chicken alfredo, lasagna, bread, drinks, and desert). We just set up a buffet in the church hall - as long as we cleaned it up afterward, there was no charge for it.

Congratulations, and have fun planning.

Jen

I saw my MIL yesterday and we were talking. She asked who was in the wedding.. Its suppose to be my sis and dfi brothers. I havent had a chance to ask my older sis if she can be in it but i told my MIL not sure if i should ask because my sis has been negative(she went through a bad divorce over 16 yrs ago and still bitter) and she might say no. MIL quickly answered she'd take her place in the wedding! DFI says she's just joking but i told him i think she really wants to be in it.

My mother passed away almost 10 years ago, dfi's parent are divorced . His stepmom and mom dont care for each other. I told dfi i dont think his mom should be in the actual weddding because it would be weird but the only thing i can think of is when everyone is seated and before the wedding music she can walk down the asile to her seat, then its only fair that his Dad and stepmom walk down to their seat. I think the point is eyes on them for a min. Dfi is fine with just sitting but his mom wants in. what to do. I dont hink a speech will do it she wants eyes on her in some way. Not sure if she will be happy about fil and stepmom walking down the asile too.
-what to do or handle it without being the bad DIL-lol!
-I have a feeling this is only the begining.
as far as tyhe food we pay for the meat and dfi GMA said she will cook it. His mom sad she will make beans ,rice, get green salad and rolls. So the food will be taken care of by them

dfi and step mom will help out with the Hall fee.

 

[Promomx2]

If you don't want you mil in the wedding party don't let her. Just a suggestion, what part is your daughter gonna play? But this is YOUR wedding and your deserve what you want, not what MIL wants. I'd maybe talk to your fiance and ask him to talk to his mom, that this is bothering you. You should be enjoying planning this wedding not worried over your mil. This is just my two cents but my dd is engaged and her future mil is trying to put her input in the wedding and I'm putting my foot down. My thoughts and support are going out to you.

 

[dreamin_disney]

If you don't want you mil in the wedding party don't let her. Just a suggestion, what part is your daughter gonna play? But this is YOUR wedding and your deserve what you want, not what MIL wants. I'd maybe talk to your fiance and ask him to talk to his mom, that this is bothering you. You should be enjoying planning this wedding not worried over your mil. This is just my two cents but my dd is engaged and her future mil is trying to put her input in the wedding and I'm putting my foot down. My thoughts and support are going out to you.

My dd will be the flower girl . She is 9. I told dfi about my idea about maybe his mom can walk down before the actual wedding song starts but it would only be fair to include his dad and stepmom too. DFI said his mother will be sitting in the front with his nana. I told him what do i do if she happens to ask me when i'm alone? Dfi reapeated : DFI said his mother will be sitting in the front with his nana.

i would like to know are the parents usually in the wedding?? Do they walk down or are they already seated with the quest?MIL are never braidmaids, right? I have no clue-help!

 

[Cape Pirate]

Hello! I am planning a wedding myself and here are some of my budget-friendly tips.
I ordered our save the dates as free postcards from vistaprint.com. 100 postcards were free with only $6 shipping and handling

We found really nice rings on overstock.com for great prices!!

Wilton has some fabulous invitation kits that you print yourself. They look great! Wilton.com

I found my dresses for me and my bridesmades from lightinthebox.com

Have fun planning!!!

 

[dreamin_disney]

Thank you all for the great ideas. I go to the church tomorrow to meet with the father. I hope everything goes great. We did reserve the church for
Jan 3rd

 

[winnapooh]

My dd will be the flower girl . She is 9. I told dfi about my idea about maybe his mom can walk down before the actual wedding song starts but it would only be fair to include his dad and stepmom too. DFI said his mother will be sitting in the front with his nana. I told him what do i do if she happens to ask me when i'm alone? Dfi reapeated : DFI said his mother will be sitting in the front with his nana.

i would like to know are the parents usually in the wedding?? Do they walk down or are they already seated with the quest?MIL are never braidmaids, right? I have no clue-help!

What about having your MIL light the candles? I don't know if the Catholic church would allow that or not though, since they usually have an acolyte at weddings. We had my mom and MIL light the candles on the altar before the ceremony started (one on each side), and then we lit our candle from both of those to use to light the unity candle.

 

[Sandy321]

My dd will be the flower girl . She is 9. I told dfi about my idea about maybe his mom can walk down before the actual wedding song starts but it would only be fair to include his dad and stepmom too. DFI said his mother will be sitting in the front with his nana. I told him what do i do if she happens to ask me when i'm alone? Dfi reapeated : DFI said his mother will be sitting in the front with his nana.

i would like to know are the parents usually in the wedding?? Do they walk down or are they already seated with the quest?MIL are never braidmaids, right? I have no clue-help!

OMG - wow... just wow - Good luck!! I am helping my son and his fiance plan their wedding, but, I only take direction from fdil, and I will ask ds if I'm doing too much - since they work and I dont, I have spent time finding budget photographers, DJ, florist, etc... I give her a choice of 3 or 4 and she makes the "deal" sometimes she wants me to come with her - sometimes, I just tell her I'm too busy, so it doesnt feel like I "have" to be in on everything!

She is walking herself down the aisle, her parents are divorced and she is in charge. She is able to stand up for what she wants and to definately say its "MY WEDDING" without being bridezilla about it!!

I got most of my budget finds by going on theknot.com and watching the "local" board - posting questions, but be prepared, some of the generic forums can be "nasty" mean - I stay to the local board and have had great luck finding bargains.

Keep in mind, its YOUR wedding, if your family does dollar dances, do them, if your family doesnt do them, it may seem weird - either way just know you cannot please all the people, so make your wedding special for you, and know what is worth fighting for...

and for my thoughts, I'd fight anyone NOT in the wedding party trying to push to BE IN THE WEDDING party!! That is just too much! You can say to her "I want to be gentle with this thought, but future dh and I do not want you in the wedding party, we do want to include you, how about a reading, etc..

also, are you having dancing at the wedding? This may be another area where you and your fiance need to have a "battle plan"!!