One more thing... if you want some real flowers... although they are usually expensive.. find a wholesell flower place. My florist charged $6.00 per stem, but we want a few more from the table and we bought the same flower for $2.50 per stem at the wholesell shop.
When you are ordering or booking things, say it is for a party, not a wedding. Some places have "wedding pricing" ie. charge higher for weddings...
My fiance and I are getting married in feb and have recently gone through all this budget stuff. We got a nice chunk for the wedding but I wanted to bank as much as I could. As it is, we're going to come in at around 7-8000.
Most of our cost is wrapped up in catering costs for 140 people because our reception is going to serve dinner for our guests. I think the reception/catering is going to be 3000.
I had the same idea for the photography, but my sister is in the wedding and I wasn't sure who else to ask do the pictures. We settled for a photographer and package for 1400ish, and we own all the negetives meaning we don't have to pay her for additional pictures beyond the package. Its hard to find this these days. Like its been said, usually they keep charging you down the road every time you want some more pics. The thing with going with a photographer is that there is an eye to taking pics and a certain style. We really liked some of her other work and so we feel better about going with her rather than just a friend. In addition, she will put together an album for us...saving us the time and energy later on for us to do it ourselves. Neither of us are particularly crafty and wouldn't be interested in doing this.
Some ideas:
-We made a lot of the invites and paper stuff ourselves. Well I didn't, and neither did she but the maid of honor is sort of a martha stewart type and made all that stuff for us. Our costs were just the stationary and postage.
-Some things were comp'd to us for exchange of services. One of our families runs a sign shop business and we were able to get all the flowers for exchange with a few signs.
-We almost decided to do a country style wedding. This would be very cheap. The wedding would be outdoors. The reception could be as simple as an outdoor BBQ/corn on the cob/beans or barn style where there would be line dancing, possibly live music, etc.
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So here are some tips I have based on my experience with the whole wedding process and we still have yet to get our final bill.
1. Don't skimp on pictures, this is onea rea I would never go cheap on! These can be used for christmas gifts for parents, families and for you forever.
2. Make your own whatever! Caligraphers, stationers, bakers, caters and etc are totally expensive! You can find so many ideas online: check out some blogs that are great for ideas and have links to others for inspiration: http://tenthousandonly.blogspot.com/ http://www.diybride.com/
3. Make the budget your priority. I have to say it is so easy to get wedding envy, compare it to others and want to do it all, BUT some people spend thousands and hundreds of thousands on their wedding.
Have your wedding on a Friday night or some night through the week. Have a family member cook the meat, and potatoes, and have sam's club or hy-vee do pasta salad and veggies.
lol my fiances mother said the exact same thing! "Why not just get married in vegas and have a rad honeymoon" I dont know if I could do that just because I have always imagined my wedding being a major event!
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There are many ways to get married for less. When I did it, I got what I wanted and spent less than $2000 total!
Dress - usually expensive but I didn't want the typical overdone look. Went to a bridal salon and found a real pretty dress in the brides maid section (Two piece bustier top and ball gown skirt) in champaigne satin (hate white). They even had one in my size in stock (a bride changed here color sceme) Cost $203
Veil- got a lovely off white on on sale from same store $47
Shoes - need ones for outdoors got pretty champaigne ones with 'outdoor' heal on sale $23
Jewelry - same store on sale Cost - $31
Groom - wore suit he already owned - bought new 'collarless' tux shirt in wine red - $50
Invitations - got the wedding paper card stock from Staples - $25 did them ourselves on the computer
Postage - $35
Ceremony - held out doors overlooking gorgeous valley - free
JP - $50
Marriage License -$50
Rings - got then at walmart they were the Exact Same as the expensive ones at the jewelry store (same gold content, same maker!) but Walmart charges by weight. Cost (his and her matching bands) $198
Flowers - purchased from local florist who was a family friend $175
Photographer - we found some one who had just graduated from photography school and wanted to build their portfolio. We were her first wedding Cost - $200 plus prints
Reception:
Supper - Local catering co. trying to get started in business (excellent food!) catered the meal for $500.
Location - Same B&B - Free
Cake - Local cake maker did an amazing job - to this day most moist cake ever eaten - $50
Wine for tables - Brother in Law an amateur wine maker - as gift gave us a case of white and a case of red for the tables.
Bar - Cash
Decorations - homemade Cost - $75
Dance - this may seem strange to you but it was perfect for us. We wanted a very intimate wedding but many others wanted to be part of our special day. There was an organization in my husbands home town that was raising funds for a charity. They contacted us and asked if we would consider making their event our "Wedding Dance". It was an organization my husband had been involved with previously and we thought it was a great way to have ALL our friends with us and support a good cause. They made a big deal of our entrance, had us kick off event with the first dance of the evening and all our family and friends attended to celebrate with us and support a good cause. 500 people attended the event - their best fundraiser to sate. Cost- Free.
It all depends what you want.
Oh by the way, our honeymoon was also great - a family member gave us the use of their cabin on a secluded lake - no one for miles. Was that FUN!
The part I like best, no debt, no credit card bills and our nearest and dearest all made it!
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We were in the same boat financially...BUT we got TONS of help from family and friends to make it happen. My wife's second cousin is a photographer, and he did all the pictures as our wedding gift. A family friend is a seamstress and she did all our tailoring as our gift (Which was huge, cuz I basically needed a custom suit and she did an awesome job with that). We had a picnic theme and instead of cake, had the church women's group, and other family members that wanted ot contribute make about 40 pies and we did pie and ice cream.
We made our own save-the-dates, invitations, programs, and thank yous. We did ALL rsvp'ing by email or phone. We set up a separate email just for that. That saved a lot on postage for the RSVPs. Our families did all the decorating on our own, and table center pieces, and it turned out to be the most beautiful wedding I had ever seen. I was friends with a DJ, so I got him for the ceremony and the reception for $700 bucks. We DID NOT do do wedding favors. That's like $1000 and no one really misses them My grandmother-in-law made all the guarders.
My father in law is an alcoholic, so he's in good with all the bar owners lol. So we got a HUGE deal on the beer. All we provided was the beer, then we had set-ups (pop, juice, etc...) and told people they could bring their own liquor if the wanted mixed drinks and we would have the stuff to mix it with. My father in law also did his own 1/2 hour fireworks show for us, which was awesome. We knew people with a horse and carriage, so my bride came into the valley over the hilltop in a horse drawn carriage and was met at the end of the aisle by her dads.
We got my ring at a jewlry store that was going out of business... It was a $2500 ring and we got it for $350, cuz they just want to get rid of everything. Really watch your spending on attendant gifts, those really end up costing you a lot. You can get something cool and unconventional for way less than the standard gifts you find in the catalogs. We got my guys matching sunglasses from the kiosk at the mall. It was $22 for 2 pairs, and a dollar off each pair after that.
We were in the same boat financially...BUT we got TONS of help from family and friends to make it happen. My wife's second cousin is a photographer, and he did all the pictures as our wedding gift. A family friend is a seamstress and she did all our tailoring as our gift (Which was huge, cuz I basically needed a custom suit and she did an awesome job with that). We had a picnic theme and instead of cake, had the church women's group, and other family members that wanted ot contribute make about 40 pies and we did pie and ice cream.
We made our own save-the-dates, invitations, programs, and thank yous. We did ALL rsvp'ing by email or phone. We set up a separate email just for that. That saved a lot on postage for the RSVPs. Our families did all the decorating on our own, and table center pieces, and it turned out to be the most beautiful wedding I had ever seen. I was friends with a DJ, so I got him for the ceremony and the reception for $700 bucks. We DID NOT do do wedding favors. That's like $1000 and no one really misses them My grandmother-in-law made all the guarders.
My father in law is an alcoholic, so he's in good with all the bar owners lol. So we got a HUGE deal on the beer. All we provided was the beer, then we had set-ups (pop, juice, etc...) and told people they could bring their own liquor if the wanted mixed drinks and we would have the stuff to mix it with. My father in law also did his own 1/2 hour fireworks show for us, which was awesome. We knew people with a horse and carriage, so my bride came into the valley over the hilltop in a horse drawn carriage and was met at the end of the aisle by her dads.
We got my ring at a jewlry store that was going out of business... It was a $2500 ring and we got it for $350, cuz they just want to get rid of everything. Really watch your spending on attendant gifts, those really end up costing you a lot. You can get something cool and unconventional for way less than the standard gifts you find in the catalogs. We got my guys matching sunglasses from the kiosk at the mall. It was $22 for 2 pairs, and a dollar off each pair after that.
Seriously!! You had the hookup for sure!! We do know someone that is in a band, so we are considering that.
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For what it's worth, my DH and I got married on a ski trip in Switzerland. We told all our friends and relatives, said we would welcome anyone who could come and join us, but no-one was obliged and we did not expect presents.
I arranged church, priest and civil ceremony long distance (took a little time, but not much money), and wore a black dress which I already owned and which looked great on me. It also looked great against the snow.
In the end, about 25 family and friends turned up, all paying for themselves but enjoying the holiday. I paid for the English speaking priest to travel from Geneva and stay over and ski for a couple of days. Our hotel arranged for a horse-and-cart taxi to take us to the church. I gave disposible cameras to everyone, told them to take all the pictures they wanted. One of my guests was good with a camera and took some more expert pix. We had a quick champagne snack afterwards, then skied, then had a fondue dinner with a couple of short speeches afterwards. My mother paid for that meal, but I would have if she didn't.
That's pretty much it. I think everyone enjoyed it, and we all had a good time with no rows or fights.
lol my fiances mother said the exact same thing! "Why not just get married in vegas and have a rad honeymoon" I dont know if I could do that just because I have always imagined my wedding being a major event!
My first wedding was a big one and the thing about big weddings that they are a big pain in the ass.
Second wedding Vegas, then went on to Cabo after that.
The second one was much better IMO. But I know every little girls dream is to have that big huge wedding so I say go for it. I mean you only do it once.
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I vote for Vegas or getting married on a cruise ship!! The wedding goes by so fast you don't remember it. The pics are my only memories, other than the fact that my husband was re-ended on his way to the ceremony. It was the weekend of Hurrican Ike, therefore really wet in Dallas.
The pics are my only memories, other than the fact that my husband was re-ended on his way to the ceremony. It was the weekend of Hurrican Ike, therefore really wet in Dallas.
HOLY COW! That could be one of the worst things to happen on your day!
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My Mom just got a job at one of the best florists in town and I am so excited, the flowers are going to be free!! Things are starting to fall into place!
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best advice i got from all my friends was let my Fiance handle the wedding!
screw that! if im paying for it, i want a say so
LOL!! I try to talk to my fiance about the colors, food, flowers, but he just says he does not care!! We are both paying for it and the day is about both of us and so I want to make sure he is happy with everything too!
He is totally down with coming to the shows and all the appointments I set up. I totally want to make sure he is happy with ou day as well!
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my sister is a wedding photographer and I've done so many weddings with her and have seen alot of stuff. don't go with the disposable cameras because like another poster said those pictures will look awful. you may want to post on craigslist or go to a local university, look for someone majoring in photography and hire them for free....they can use your photos for their portfolio which is something they really need....experience!! find wedding images that you like and have them try to take them.
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my sister is a wedding photographer and I've done so many weddings with her and have seen alot of stuff. don't go with the disposable cameras because like another poster said those pictures will look awful. you may want to post on craigslist or go to a local university, look for someone majoring in photography and hire them for free....they can use your photos for their portfolio which is something they really need....experience!! find wedding images that you like and have them try to take them.
yea I have had a couple people talk to me about that, going to a university and talking to the ones that are in their 3rd or 4th year! I think I might have to just go check that out!
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Thank you so much!!! It is everything I dreamed of and even more!!
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I'm going to agree with other people regarding the disposable cameras. It's a nice "Extra" type thing but don't use that to replace an actual photographer. You get a few drinks into your guests and you'll have some very interesting shot. A friend of mine had those on the table just for fun shots and a mystery photographer had a damn foot fetish, she had 20+ shots of people from the knees down.
Instead you could find a student or a new photographer who is looking to add to their portfolio, they'll do it MUCH cheaper than your average pro and you'll actually get decent shots.
A lot of people don't do liquor to save costs or for religious reasons (not what I would do, it is an option)
Thank you! I got it at a new bridal shop called SC Bridal here in Boise.
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Awww.. Your dress is stunning, I love the lace detail!
Thank you!
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My only advice (and this if for anyone getting married!) is to get a photographer who knows what the hell they are doing. I understand about wanting to cut costs, and I'm an advocate of doing that everywhere else, but NOT with the photographer.
You're right, this is only one day, but it is a day you'll want to remember the rest of your life, so make sure you hire someone to take professional pictures. They can get you in the right lighting, at the right angle, and make you look amazing. They can also get candid shots that look a million times better than anything Uncle Bob could shoot, simply because they are trained.
That said, some grocery stores offer wedding cakes at discounted prices, too.
Some local nurseries will sell you flowers way cheaper than a flower shop. You might have to cut down the stems or remove thorns or whatever yourself, but you can save a fortune. Nurseries just might not have as wide a selection, but they are worth checking out.
Dress? Check out the sales rack at places like David's Bridal. Often, with just a tailor's touch, you can find an amazing dress. My sister bought a looong dress with straps for $50 at David's Bridal, then turned around and had a tailor shorten the legnth and remove the straps. Turned out to be her dream dress.
My only advice (and this if for anyone getting married!) is to get a photographer who knows what the hell they are doing. I understand about wanting to cut costs, and I'm an advocate of doing that everywhere else, but NOT with the photographer.
You're right, this is only one day, but it is a day you'll want to remember the rest of your life, so make sure you hire someone to take professional pictures. They can get you in the right lighting, at the right angle, and make you look amazing. They can also get candid shots that look a million times better than anything Uncle Bob could shoot, simply because they are trained.
That said, some grocery stores offer wedding cakes at discounted prices, too.
Some local nurseries will sell you flowers way cheaper than a flower shop. You might have to cut down the stems or remove thorns or whatever yourself, but you can save a fortune. Nurseries just might not have as wide a selection, but they are worth checking out.
Dress? Check out the sales rack at places like David's Bridal. Often, with just a tailor's touch, you can find an amazing dress. My sister bought a looong dress with straps for $50 at David's Bridal, then turned around and had a tailor shorten the legnth and remove the straps. Turned out to be her dream dress.
You are not the first one to say that about the photographer!! I actually found one of the BEST ones here in Boise and told her what our budget was and she totally worked with us!! Not only that she is including an awesome album for half its cost! I am so stoked about that!!
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Wedding on a public beach or your church, make the decorations yourself and get your flowers from the market (the city closest to you should have one). Depending on what you do for a living you could trade out for services like catering. Also start looking at craft stores for decorations (candles, trees). You could also make your own cake or have a friend do it. I will say the one area not to skimp in is your photos, they mean more than anything and are easily messed up by having a friend or family member take them (thats what happened to us and we regret it!). Oh and for favors we made bride and groom bubbles. You just get the little bubble containers and make tiny bow ties and dresses out of fabric and then hot glue them on. You can find out how to make them via google. We had a huge wedding and even had our reception at the country club for only $1500 dress included. Oh ps you can get a custom made wedding gown on ebay.
My grandmother-in-law made all the guarders. 
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