Help! My fiancee and I are getting married Aug 25 at the courthouse, but would like to have a small, informal reception following. We have found a great location at a "lodge" at a local park, which we can rent for $160 for four hours. Since we are on a tight budget, this is a great price for us. We also are blessed to have a caterer in the family, and are able to get discounts on decorations as well. Do you have any suggestions for planning such a informal reception? We would like to keep some of the "traditional" aspects (garter and bouquett toss, etc.) but would really like to keep it low-key. Any help?
Thanks!
2006-07-10 14:01:04 · 8 answers · asked by Ms Pepsi 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Well, first of all you should figure out what traditional things you definitely want to keep in your wedding and work from there. It sounds like you have most of your planning in place (location, food, decorations). I would say have some really simple bouquets in the middle of each table for centerpieces, and shop around to find the best deal you can get for good flowers. If you can get long tables set up (instead of smaller round tables), that can help make the atmosphere more cozy, since more people are at a table instead of being all broken up around the room. I don’t know exactly what you are wanting to do (dancing or toasts or anything like that), but just pretend you’re planning a party like any other, with a few added wedding touches!
2006-07-14 13:59:12 · answer #1 · answered by KrisD 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Go to Barnes and Noble or Hastings and read some of their books on discount weddings. Then you don't even have to shell out the money for the book! Go for simple flowers, maybe wildflowers even, but look them up in a flower book of some sort or on-line, to make sure they'll be able to withstand any heat - I don't know where you live, but that's a major consideration here in Texas :) You may want to consider decorating with something besides flowers, since they die and they're so expensive, maybe something that's special to you two. Oh, and check out Michael's or Hobby Lobby or Party Time, they actually had some cute stuff. And don't rent things you can borrow from someone, like bowls to put flowers or floating candles in or tablecloths. If you want to do something like a guest book, but don't want to shell out $50 for that, you could buy note cards or postcards from an office store for around $20, that you can print your names on and then ask your guests to write their names and memories of the two of you or advice for your marriage. And if your family member who's catering can't do the cake, save yourself a headache and just do a one tiered cake, especially if you've never tried to do a multi-tiered cake before.
2006-07-10 21:32:48 · answer #2 · answered by Carrie S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congrats! My hubby and I were in the same boat as you and your fiancee. We found out that my hubby (we were engaged at the time) got this amazing position in a undergrad program out of state and had to move up the wedding date 6 months so that we could have him participate. We were able to do everything under $1500. We also lucked out with the caterer. (She was my grandma's friend.) The trick is to be calm and make sure you compare costs everywhere. We got the flowers for my wedding boquet at Costco and they looked gorgeous and lasted forever. I made the boquet and boutineers myself from tips I got from Queer Eye and Martha Stewart. You can usually get a less expensive cake from a grocery store bakery and then have your caterer dress it up with some flowers. Don't stress too much! Good luck and definatly check out www.theknot.com. I loved the boards there. Lots of brides talking and helping each other out.
2006-07-10 22:22:15 · answer #3 · answered by miss_freakin_amazing 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Awwwww, if I lived by you I would make all of your things. My friend got married in the courthouse and she's having a more formal ceremony next year. I made all of her bouquets and centerpieces for the reception. Go to Hobby Lobby (or any craft store), and there should be a book on wedding receptions on a budget. All of your answer will be in that book!!! Congratulations!!
2006-07-10 21:08:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make a wedding soundtrack on an ipod and use that as the music instead of a DJ. It's cheaper and you'll only hear the music you want to hear.
2006-07-11 11:16:32 · answer #5 · answered by caitlinerika 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask all guest to bring a camera and when developed send you two of the best pitchers.this way you get low coast pitchers,and friend with great memories.
2006-07-17 10:31:13 · answer #6 · answered by tysgrandma99 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like to me you already have a good plan!
2006-07-10 21:12:19 · answer #7 · answered by sweetnessmo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are some helpful tips in this article on weddings and budgeting. i hope this helps you out
2006-07-10 21:16:44 · answer #8 · answered by yumm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋