any ideas on how to save money for wedding?

Answer 1

If you serve alcohol .. buy it at Costco and have someone you know bar tend. You can return what you don't use, I saved a lot that way.

Keep the guest list small and recruit family and friends to help out with flowers, photography and anything else they are willing to do.

Answer 2

go to Vegas? okay, depending on where you live that might not be saving money.

You can always keep it simple by buying your wedding dress at a discount store -- even Ross has great dresses that can be used as a wedding dress. Go to COSTCO and get a handful of roses and with a little ribbon and twine from Michael's you can make your own bouquet (that's exactly what i did). Keep your reception (if you're going to have one) VERY simple and keep your guest list to a minimum. You can even have a "just family" reception on the wedding day that you pay for and have a "reception" for your family and friends -- maybe at a restaurant -- and let them pay their own way and forgo having them give you gifts (depends on where you are in life -- if gifts are needed). There are so many ways to save -- brainstorm with your friends, fiance and family and put EVERYTHING on the list and pick and choose. GOOD LUCK! It's not easy. My husband and I had a very inexpensive wedding, but we still could have made it much simpler.

Answer 3

Decide if you want a wedding or not. If you want to elope you can save big, if you want to have a wedding there are also ways to cut costs.

Go for a smaller guest list, shorter reception and pick an off time like morning or pick a day other than Saturday. You should also pick up cost consious wedding books. They have great ideas for cutting cost.

Good luck and congrats :)

Answer 4

You can do so much for so little.

Make everything on your own. Try to find friends that will do things for free, or friends of friends that will do things at a discounted rate. Try people who need practice. Decide what is most important and spend the majority of your money there. Is it food, pictures, the dress, videography? Register at a beauty shop so freind can purchase your hair and make-up for the day. Beg, borrow, steal - you get the idea.

Answer 5

Silk flowers are cheaper than real ones and instead of hiring a band or a DJ, set up a stereo system with great speakers and play CD's. If you have a friend who can make and decorate your wedding cake see if they will do it in lieu of a gift.

Answer 6

Check with your County Courthouse regarding a civil ceremony.

Call local VFW halls for your reception. An alternative would be if you know anyone that has a large enough house/yard to hold all of your guests. You could also make the food yourself or ask family members to help (ie: potluck). http://allrecipes.com/

Check out Dreams by Renee. They have some absolutely gorgeous dresses and are able to do cusom work if needed. http://dreamsbyreneebridal.com

Are you (or do you know someone willing to help that is) crafty? Check out Michaels for decorations, floral, favors, etc. It will help with your budget if you can do as much as possible yourself. I used to be an Instructor/Event Coordinator for them and we had alot of classes for wedding related items. http://www.michaels.com

I'm a rep for Regency Thermographics. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. http://AphroditesCreations.regency.ac

Good luck!

Answer 7

I bought this book called "Bridal Bargains." There are other similar books. I've found it pretty helpful so far. :) This book is by Denise and Alan Fields. Good luck, fellow penny-pincher.

Answer 8

Whole sale is the best, flowers, favor, and dresses. Do it all whole sale.

Answer 9

Elope!!